History

Kims has been a hideaway for Sydney people for over 100 years.

Kims history began with the local seafaring trader, Captain Frans Charlson, who started the camp here in 1886. He built a slab-timbered kitchen-dining room with paths through the sand and bush to accommodation laid out initially as tents and later as timber cabins.

The Captain planted about a hundred Norfolk Pines in the area, including those along the beachfront, which protect our privacy today. In the late 1920's two American brothers named McKimmin (who started Sydney's first ice cream parlours) bought the business and improved the accommodation. From the name McKimmin came "Kims Camp". In those days Kims was very rustic; the unlined cabins being furnished simply with an iron bed, a broom and a towel.

A retired army colonel, Clive Loc Hughes-Hallett, took over in 1944, and shortened the name to Kims. He is remembered as shaping the original gardens and lining the cabins - which can be seen amongst the historic photographs in our top dining room. We have displayed a plaque on one of the pine trees, commemorating the Colonel whose efforts established Kims as a popular beach holiday destination.

The two attractions were the beach and dining room. It was from then that Kims began its reputation for good food.

According to Courvoisiers' Book of the Best, the essential style guide for international travellers, Kims is:-

"The sort of beach retreat that, in a perfect world, everyone would like. Individual timber tree houses with big windows all around that open to a jungle filled with creepers, banana palms, hibiscus and an avenue of century-old Norfolk Island pines - and all just a short drive from Sydney Harbour Bridge."

Four generations of the Strachan Family.

The Strachan family have been involved at Kims since the 1950's. Andrew and Maryjane Strachan, together with Diana and Peter Kershaw (Diana being Andrew's niece) are Directors and the shareholders of Kims.

Diana and Peter are also the General Managers.

Click on the photographs below to view larger images.

 

 

 

 

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