Bombo Quarry Kiama: Exploring the "Moonscape" of the South Coast
There's nowhere else in New South Wales that feels quite like Bombo Quarry. Just north of Kiama, this heritage-listed site is a surreal landscape of jagged basalt columns, towering sea stacks and deep stone channels where the Pacific thumps in with incredible force. It's one of the places we cover in Hidden Gems NSW.
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Whether you're chasing the Milky Way or just after a great coastal walk, Bombo's mix of industrial history and raw nature belongs near the top of your South Coast list.
Bombo Quarry: Quick Stats
- Access: Free public coastal site with signposted paths and fenced lookouts.
- Location: Bombo Headland, off the Princes Highway just north of Kiama.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate. The staircase that opened in May 2025 replaced the steepest scrambles, but the quarry floor is rough and unfenced.
- Best For: Sunrise photography, geology buffs and "otherworldly" vibes.
How to Get to Bombo Quarry
Most visitors park at Bombo Beach and walk the long way around. Here's the local's way:
- The Shortest Walk: Set your GPS for Darian Avenue, Bombo. Park at the end of the street and follow the paved path towards the headland.
- The Staircase: Look for the Bombo Quarry staircase. Opened in May 2025, this 13-metre structure links the quarry with the headland walking trails and beaches, with a viewing platform along the way. Council warns the steps are steep, the ground around them is uneven and the coastline near the bottom can be dangerous.
- By Train: Take the South Coast Line to Bombo Station. It's a scenic 15-minute walk from the station to the headland.
Bombo Quarry History and Geology
The hexagonal columns you see here were formed around 270 million years ago when lava cooled and contracted. But the "sculpted" look of the site comes from its time as a blue metal quarry.
Thousands of tonnes of basalt were dressed here and shipped to Sydney to build the city's roads and railways. Today it's a protected geological site, and it even served as a backdrop for films like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (as the planet Phaedos!).
Photography Tips: Chasing the Light
- The "Hero" Shot: Visit at sunrise. The rising sun hits the basalt columns from the east, turning the dark grey stone gold.
- Slow Shutter: Use a tripod and a slow shutter speed (1 to 2 seconds) to capture the "silk" effect of the waves snaking between the black boulders.
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Milky Way: Bombo has dark enough skies for astrophotography. Between April and September, the galactic core rises over the basalt spires.
- Safety: Only shoot at night if you already know the site from daylight visits. Bring a head torch, stay on the paths and well back from the edges, and skip it if there's any swell running. The terrain is jagged and the quarry floor is unfenced.
Bombo Quarry Safety Tips
- Watch the Swell: This is an exposed coastline and rogue waves are a real danger. Avoid the quarry floor in rough seas and never turn your back on the ocean.
- Stay Off the Columns: Stay on paths and behind fences, don't climb the columns, and leave tide-pool life undisturbed.
- Footwear Matters: Even with the staircase, the quarry floor is sharp and uneven. Leave the thongs in the car and wear sturdy shoes.
- The Boneyard: If the main quarry is busy, follow the track to The Boneyard, a secluded pebble cove that's great for a quieter picnic. Leave the rocks where you find them.
Bombo Quarry FAQs
Is Bombo Quarry free to visit?
Yes. It's a free public coastal site with signposted paths and fenced lookouts.
Is the Bombo Quarry staircase open?
Yes. Kiama Council opened the 13-metre staircase to the public in May 2025. The steps are steep, so take care.
Can you get to Bombo Quarry by train?
Yes. Bombo Station on the South Coast Line is about a 15-minute walk from the headland.
Is it safe to walk on the quarry floor?
Only in calm conditions. The quarry floor is unfenced and exposed to waves, so avoid it in rough seas and keep well back from the water.
