Blowhole tightrope walker

On 1 January 1889, residents and visitors were amazed to watch Kiama adventurer Charles Jackson walk across a tightrope strung across the Kiama Blowhole not once but several times, cheering him on loudly after each crossing. Inspired by French tightrope walker Charles Blondin's crossing of Niagara Falls, Jackson's walk came after an unsuccessful attempt to cross the Blowhole two years earlier which was marred by poor weather conditions. It is not known if the blowhole was indeed blowing on 1 January 1889, although one imagines the feat nonetheless required no small measure of courage combined with precision timing.

It seems the spectacle was not enough, though, to rate much of a mention in this particular holidaymaker's account of their 'uneventful' holiday, as reported in the 'Sydney Morning Herald' 2 Jan 1889: 'The holiday has been quite an uneventful one in Kiama. All places of business were closed. Numerous family picnics were held at the usual holiday resorts. There were few visitors as compared with those who came here on Christmas Day. A smart fall of rain took place this afternoon. The Australian Blondin, Charles Jackson, walked the tight-rope over the Blow Hole at 3 p.m. in the presence of many persons.' One wonders what one must do to impress!

Charles Jackson aka the Australian Blondin.

French tightrope walker Charles Blondin carrying his manager Harry Colcord across Niagara Falls c.1860s]

Kiama Blowhole c.1880s;