When it comes to tourism, Sydney and its surroundings hide numerous stunning attractions! Not far from the Kiama Blowhole and lighthouse, there is Bombo Quarry! You’ve probably seen photos of the Gate of Heaven in Bali. Amongst weathered and crumbling rocks, there are enormous gaps, weakly standing on the edge of a cliff. A similar attraction can be found near Sydney, right next to the blue ocean, offering a spectacular view!
The towering stone columns here create a desolate atmosphere! Walking among the towering stone columns, which have been eroded by seawater for thousands of years, feels like strolling on an alien planet. It is an excellent photography spot, loved by many photographers and couples taking wedding photos.
Getting to Bombo Headland Quarry
From Sydney city centre, it only takes about a 2-hour drive to reach Bombo Quarry. Along the way, you will pass through Wollongong and Nan Tien Temple. When you have a boring weekend, I recommend trying this route to visit the attractions in the southern part of Sydney.
Near Bombo Quarry, there is also the town of Kiama, where the lighthouse and blowhole are famous attractions. It’s worth making a detour to explore them while you’re in the area.
Tips visiting the Bombo Headland Quarry
Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, such as running shoes, as the rocks on top are not easy to walk on.
You can park at Bombo Beach Car Park, which is a free parking area. It is the closest point to the rock formations, but parking spaces are limited, so it may require some luck. Fortunately, this attraction is relatively lesser-known at the moment, so it’s still manageable to find a spot.
Origins of the rocks at Bombo Kiama
It used to be a quarry for stone extraction. Perhaps to prevent coastal erosion, a rock wall was preserved along the coastline during the quarrying process. These rocks are basalt columns, a geological wonder formed when underground rock layers rose after a volcanic eruption.
However, over time, with the wind and waves eroding them, the rocks have collapsed, forming the ruins seen today, curved along the coastline. Among them, the “Door to the Sky” presents different scenery in each season.
During dry periods, it blocks the seawater, forming a calm little lake on its backside. In the rainy season, the surging waves fiercely crash against the rocks and flow into the lake through lower pillars, creating a magnificent and spectacular sight.