Kiama Blowhole
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The Kiama Blowhole is a blowhole in the town of Kiama, New South Wales, Australia. It is the town's major tourist attraction. Under certain sea conditions, the blowhole can spray water up to 25 metres (82 ft) in the air, in quantities that thoroughly drench any bystanders. This also makes it the biggest blowhole in the world.[citation needed]
[edit] History
The name Kiama itself is derived from a local aboriginal word which means "where the sea makes noise". The aboriginal people call the blowhole Khanterinteree.[1]
The first European to see the blowhole was George Bass on 6 December 1797 when he stopped there on his whaleboat voyage to Bass Strait.[2]
| “ | The earth for a considerable distance round in the form approaching a circle seemed to have given way; it was now a green slope. Towards the centre was a deep ragged hole of about 25 to 30 feet in diameter and on one side of it the sea washed in through a subterraneous passage with a most tremendous noise.[3] -George Bass | ” |
[edit] References
- ^ Attractions in Kiama, Tourism Kiama. Retrieved 28 July 2006.
- ^ Miriam Estensen, The Life of George Bass, Allen and Unwin, 2005, ISBN 1-74114-130-3, page 80
- ^ George Bass's Journal 6 December 1797, in the Historical Records of New South Wales volume III, page 314, and quoted by Estensen above
