Bombo Railway Station group

Item details

Name of item: Bombo Railway Station group
Other name/s: North Kiama, Kiama
Type of item: Complex / Group
Group/Collection: Transport - Rail
Category: Railway Platform/ Station
Location: Lat: -34.6580952464 Long: 150.8540352500
Primary address: Illawarra railway, Bombo, NSW 2533
Local govt. area: Kiama
Local Aboriginal Land Council: Illawarra
Property description
Lot/Volume CodeLot/Volume NumberSection NumberPlan/Folio CodePlan/Folio Number
PART LOT27 DP1188375

Boundary:

North: 5m north of the platform; East: the boundary of RailCorp property adjacent to the ocean beach and marked by fence; South: 5m south of the platform; West: the boundary of railway property fronting the Princes Highway.
All addresses
Street AddressSuburb/townLGAParishCountyType
Illawarra railwayBomboKiama  Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation NameOwner CategoryDate Ownership Updated
TAHE - Sydney TrainsState Government21 Oct 98

Statement of significance:

Bombo Railway Station is of State historical significance as a station originally built as a terminus for the isolated section of the Illawarra Line (Scarborough to Bombo) from 1887, connected to Sydney and extended past Bombo to Bomaderry in 1893, retaining its 1887 weatherboard platform building, out-of-room, remnant early platform foundations and brick paved platform surface, and 1925 signal box with original signal levers.

Bombo Railway Station is of State aesthetic significance for its outstanding landscape setting with its sense of isolation, basalt escarpment to the west, immediate ocean beach frontage with coastal heath and extensive views in all directions. Bombo Railway Station and its setting features in numerous historical photographs.

The collection of 1887 platform building, out-of-room, platform, and 1925 signal box and signals are rare. The awningless weatherboard platform building is locally rare as one of only three examples on the Illawarra line (other examples at Berry and Shellharbour (Dunmore) Railway Stations).
Date significance updated: 01 Sep 10
Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description

Designer/Maker: NSW Government Railway
Builder/Maker: L. Brown (Station). W. Monie & J. Angus. (Railway line)
Construction years: 1887-1925
Physical description: CONTEXT
The station is located on the eastern side of the Princes Highway, just east of the ocean beach at Bombo. The site has spectacular views in all directions, including of the ocean, ocean beach, Bombo escarpment to the west, southern headland of Kiama to the south. The station is entered from the south via a ramp off the Princes Highway footpath which skirts the station. The station perimeters are defined with white powdercoated aluminium fencing. There is a layback off the eastern side of the Princes Highway south of the station to allow vehicles to drop off passengers (NTA).


LANDSCAPE/NATURAL FEATURES
Bombo Railway Station has an exceptional landscape setting, with views east to the ocean, views south to Kiama, and views west to the Princes Highway and rising land beyond (ibid).

PRECINCT ELEMENTS (from south to north)
Platform building (1887) (type 14)
Out of Room (c. 1887)
Signal box (1925)
Platform Canopy (modern)
Platform (1887)
Moveable items- Signals in Signal Box (ibid).

PLATFORM BUILDING (1887)
Exterior: An awningless single storey weatherboard platform building with a gabled corrugated steel roof and weatherboard tongue & grooved board eaves. There are five doors opening onto the platform, one doorway (to the waiting room) has a simple timber fretwork awning. There is one timber framed double hung window to the northern end of the building's east (platform) elevation. The building has a blank faade facing the Princes Highway to the west. The building has a skillion roofed toilet addition at the southern end, with a single modern flush timber door, and timber louvres and highlight fixed obscure glass window towards the uppermost part of the walls.

Interior (Waiting room accessed 2009): The interior (from south to north) contains: toilets (in southern addition); store room, waiting room and booking office. The waiting room has modern floor tiling, fibre-cement sheet wall linings and gyprock ceiling with neon strip lighting, and three timber seats.

OUT OF ROOM (1887)
Exterior: A weatherboard single storey building with a gabled corrugated steel roof, modern timber flush doors to east and west, c.1920s architraves to the doors, and a single timber framed double hung window to the north elevation.

Interior: Not accessed 2009. Currently used as a storeroom.

SIGNAL BOX (1925)
Exterior: A reinforced concrete drop panel signal box with a gabled corrugated steel roof. There is a timber porch attached to this building on the platform (east elevation) of the building. The building has original timber sliding windows with horizontal glazing bars.

Interior: The interior has no wall linings, and contains the original signals

PLATFORM (1887)
The platform has a concrete edge, concrete surface and a recent stamped concrete surface in the middle of the platform. There are platform extensions to both north and south ends. There is a remnant timber foundation structure on brick piers beneath some of the platform buildings, and rare remnant brick paved platform surface between the out-of-room and the former signals building.

PLATFORM CANOPY (Modern)
At the far northern end of the platform is a modern platform canopy on steel posts with concrete bases, an aluminium mesh wall to the Princes Highway, and a gabled Colorbond roof.

MOVEABLE ITEMS
The quadrant signals are extant within the 1925 signal box (ibid).
Physical condition and/or
Archaeological potential: 		Platform building (1887): good
Out of Room (c. 1887): good
Signal box (1925): good
Platform Canopy (modern): good
Platform (1887): good
Signals in Signal Box: good
Date condition updated:01 Sep 10
Modifications and dates: 1897: turntable moved to Kiama,
1925: platform signal box built and crossing loop laid in.
N.d: weatherboard addition to south end of platform building; modern platform canopy to northern end of platform; concrete faces and stamped concrete surface to platform, modern fencing and ramp at southern end of platform.

Extensively modified (Latona Masterman, 1987, 76).
Current use: Railway Station
Former use: Aboriginal land, farm

History

Historical notes: District history:
The first recorded reference to the district was by George Bass who anchored his 28ft whaleboat in the sheltered bay (now known as Kiama Harbour) in December 1797.

In the years following 1797 Black Beach provided the main landing place for the first cedar-cutters and settlers. Sailing boats would anchor in the relatively well-protected cove while colonists and supplies would be rowed ashore by open boats. In the ensuing decades Kiama's thriving timber and dairy industries put great strain on the limited cargo and mooring facilities in the cove (Dillon, 1991).

The growth and development of Kiama began with cedar-cutting and was linked to the growth and development of the Colony as a whole. Sea transport became of major importance to the district as vessels under sail and later steam, crowded into the Robertson Basin to load timber, later wheat and dairy produce and eventually basalt for shipment to the Sydney markets (HCNSW, 1986, 8).

The site of Kiama Township was reserved by the Government in 1826 and proclaimed in 1836. The township was first surveyed by Robert Hoddle in 1830 and again by Jacques in 1831, and its streets largely laid out around the c.1825 grant to the first settler and cedar getter, David Smith. Initially the town grew up around the road from the harbour to Jamberoo which travelled up the present-day Manning Street and Bong Bong Street but later a lower track through Pikes Hill (now Terralong Street) was cut. The cutting later became the site of a basalt quarry for which Kiama later became better-known (Graham, 2016, 6).

Cedar getters were the first (settlers) to the area, among those was David Smith, who became the first permanent white settler when he built a residence in Kiama in 1832.

The sheltered cove at Kiama became the principal shipping port for the cut cedar. From the 1820s, six or more coastal trading ships would anchor at any one time awaiting their precious cargoes. The early port was described as a 'tolerable good boat harbour from which nine-tenths of the cedar brought to Sydney is shipped' (Dillon, 1991).

Following the cedar cutting came dairying, which quickly flourished into the staple industry of the region. So successful was this rural activity that a new breed of dairy cow, the Illawarra shorthorn, was developed on these productive pastures (ibid, 1991),

By 1848 the town had two inns, a post office, 2 stores, a church and 18 permanent houses. In 1849 a train linking hte quarry and harbour was built down along Terralong Street and a new jetty relocated to here (ibid, 2016, 6).

Kiama was proclaimed a Municipality in 1859.

Local petitions requesting a general upgrading of harbour facilities were presented to the Colonial Government as early as 1864. Thirteen years later the constructed basin and dockside were completed and named Robertson Basin in honour of the then Colonial Secretary. The upgrading of the harbour was timely as in subsequent years, with the export of newly-quarried basalt, there was a massive increase in coastal shipping. Horse-drawn drays were initially used to transport the stone from the quarry to the loading hoppers at the wharfside (ibid, 1991).

In the 1870s the dairying industry was supplemented by basalt (blue metal) quarrying, now one of the district's major income earners alongside tourism. The state's ever-expanding tram, road and rail network needed vast amounts of basalt, both crushed and in natural cube form (ibid, 1991).

Shortly after 1880 a new road running out of Bombo up over the hill was created to link the town centre and Terralong Street to the relocated jetty, main quarry site and the soon-to-be-opened railway station at Bombo. This road was to become known as Collins Street and became one of the town's main roads and its northern approach. The train came to Bombo in 1887 (ibid, 2016, 6), then known as Porter's Garden Beach. Passengers would alight there and travel to Kiama by horse and carriage (Dillon, 1991). In 1888 an extension to Kiama was started (ibid, 2016, 6).

Kiama became a tourist attraction very early in the course of its development and throughout the Victorian era served as a premier seaside holiday resort. The town's popularity was considerably enhanced when, in 1888, with the opening of the railway, it became more readily accessible from Sydney (HCNSW, 1986, 8).

Kiama railway station opened in 1893 (ibid, 2016, 6). Lord Carrington, NSW Governor, delcared the line open (ibid, 1991) as part of the first completed stage of the Kiama to Jervis Bay Railway which terminated at Bomaderry (Nowra).

By 1914 the horse-drawn drays (transporting stone to the wharfside) system had been replaced by a steam locomotive tramway running along Terralong Street (Dillon, 1991).

Bombo Headland Quarry:
Bombo Headland, an attractive coastal feature in its own right, also retains an added characteristic that increases the area's scenic qualities. Set deep within its contours is the Bombo Quarry. A legacy of Kiama's century-old blue metal or basalt quarrying, this 'moonscape' contains geological features of international importance (Dillon, 1991).

In the early 1880s over 80 men toiled to break up the natural blocks of stone. These were then carted by horse to the harbour at Kiama and the nearby Bombo jetty. The rockfill remains of this latter structure can be seen lying in the northern cove of Bombo headland. The area around the cove is known as the Boneyard. The majority of the quarry workers were housed in a nearby 'tent city'. At the time it was reported that 'the place now the favourite resort of Sunday afternoon pleasure excursionists is beginning to assume a very business-like aspect' and 'the verdant beauty of the fields and slopes of Bombo promises soon to be covered with dust and its quiet caverns and shady nooks to ring with the sound of the hammer and explosions of dynamite' (ibid, 1991).

Bombo history:
When the single line railway was opened at Bombo in 1887 the station was named North Kiama, with an open platform with a standard timber platform building completed in 1888. As it served as a terminus for the then isolated line as far north as Scarborough (Clifton), it also received a turntable, watering facilities and an engine shed. This function was to continue until 1897, even when the line had been completed to Bomaderry in 1893.

The site opened as North Kiama in 1887, changed to Kiama in May 1889, was again named North Kiama in 1893 and finally named Bombo in June 1907, after Bombo Point nearby where basalt quarrying had begun in 1880.

A small yard was developed that also served later for the use of quarrying and other industries in the area. Bombo township is located at the top of the hill above the railway station to the west and there is no adjacent development around the station.

Even though basalt quarrying had begun at Bombo Point in 1880, the place did not receive its present locality name for some time.

Next to the original station building the present pre-cast concrete signal box was built in 1925 to help in handling the extra quarry, goods and passenger traffic.

At an unknown recent date, the platform was extended to north and south, the centre of the platform resurfaced with coloured stamped concrete, and a modern platform canopy built towards the northern end of the platform.

In 2001 the line was electrified from Dapto to Kiama. The signal box function ceased in 2001, however the signal box remains intact including its signals, and the 1887 station buildings remain in their original configuration.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)New South Wales themeLocal theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. Cultural - Coasts and coastal features supporting human activities-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. Changing the environment-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture Private farming-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture Clearing land for farming-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes of urban and rural interaction-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes of institutions - productive and ornamental-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes of industrial production-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Mining-Activities associated with the identification, extraction, processing and distribution of mineral ores, precious stones and other such inorganic substances. Quarrying stone-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use Modifying landscapes to increase productivity-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use Agisting and fattening stock for slaughter-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements Railway Station-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements Building the railway network-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements Rail transport-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements Building and maintaining the public railway system-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements Administering the public railway system-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal 1820s-1850s land grants-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Changing land uses - from rural to tourist-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Resuming private lands for public purposes-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages 19th Century Infrastructure-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Impacts of railways on rural development-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages A quiet Rural District-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. State government-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - building and administering rail networks-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Interior design styles and periods - Edwardian-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Interior design styles and periods - Victorian-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Architectural styles and periods - Victorian (late)-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Adaptation of overseas design for local use-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Gathering at landmark places to socialise-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Visiting lookouts and places of natural beauty-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Going to the beach-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Activities associated with relaxation and recreation-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Places of informal community gatherings-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with L. Brown, railway architect-

Assessment of significance

SHR Criteria a)
[Historical significance] 		Bombo Railway Station is of historical significance as a station originally built as a terminus for the isolated section of the Illawarra Line (Scarborough to Bombo) from 1887, retaining 1887 weatherboard platform building, out-of-room, remnant early platform foundations and brick paved platform surface, and 1925 signal box with its original signals. The landscape setting of Bombo Railway Station with its isolation, immediate ocean frontage and extensive views in all directions, is of historical significance as it features in numerous historical photographs.
SHR Criteria c)
[Aesthetic significance] 		Bombo Railway Station buildings are of State aesthetic significance as a collection of early (1887-1925) rural platform building including a rare awningless platform building, out of room and concrete drop-slab signal box. Bombo Railway Station is of State aesthetic significance for its outstanding landscape setting with its sense of isolation, basalt escarpment to the west, immediate ocean beach frontage with coastal heath and extensive spectacular views in all directions, including significant views south to Kiama.
SHR Criteria d)
[Social significance] 		The place has the potential to contribute to the local community's sense of place, and can provide a connection to the local community's past.
SHR Criteria f)
[Rarity] 		This item is assessed as historically rare. This item is assessed as scientifically rare. This item is assessed as arch. rare. This item is assessed as socially rare.
Integrity/Intactness: The 1887 building is largely intact.
Assessment criteria: Items are assessed against the PDF State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Recommended management:

Recommendations

Management CategoryDescriptionDate Updated
Recommended ManagementProduce a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) 
Recommended ManagementPrepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines 
Recommended ManagementCarry out interpretation, promotion and/or education 

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of actDescriptionTitleCommentsAction date
57(2)Exemption to allow workStandard Exemptions HERITAGE ACT 1977

ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL

I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977:

revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and

grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A.

This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette.

Dated this 29th day of October 2025
The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC
Minister for Heritage

For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below. 		Nov 7 2025

PDF Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage ListingListing TitleListing NumberGazette DateGazette NumberGazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register 0109202 Apr 99 271546
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register     

Study details

TitleYearNumberAuthorInspected byGuidelines used
Ku-ring-gai Potential Heritage Conservation Areas North Review, 11/20102010 Paul Davies P/L  Yes

References, internet links & images

TypeAuthorYearTitleInternet Links
WrittenClark, Alan and Florance, Robyn2021Going South: Constructing the Railway - Kiama to Bomaderry View detail
WrittenDillon, Steve1991Kiama Walk (brochure)

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.
rez
(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source

The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name: Heritage NSW
Database number: 5011935

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