This tour will guide you through the many places in Kiama that were important in the life of Charmian Clift.

Charmian was born in Kiama on 30 August 1923 to Sydney and Amy Clift. She had an older sister Margaret (aged 4) and brother Barre (aged 1).

Her father worked at the Railway Commissioners of NSW quarry at Bombo Headland. The family lived in a rented quarry cottage opposite Bombo Beach in what is now Hothersal St.

Both Charmian's parents were avid readers and they shared their books with their children. Charmian attributed much of her education to her parents' love for books and the care-free lifestyle she had growing up on Bombo Beach.

We would like to thank Nadia Wheatley for her input into the app, Fleur Creighton and Florence Rankin for their audio contribution, and the Kiama and District Historical Society for their assistance.

In the audio links, text by Charmian Clift and George Johnston is ©The Estate of Charmian Clift and George Johnston.

Contextual passages are from The Life and Myth of Charmian Clift, © Nadia Wheatley.​