The Big Lobster in Kingston S.E

Kingston S.E. SA 5275 (Pop 1 800)
Pic: by Riana Dzasta

Kingston S.E. is the Limestone Coast’s ‘Gateway to the South East’. This important fishing and lobster port is home to the ‘Big Lobster’ and located 295 km s-e of Adelaide. Original inhabitants were the Ngarranjeri Aborigines with European settlement following in 1850s. It was named after the government surveyor and the S.E. added to avoid confusion with Kingston-on-Murray. It is also a popular holiday destination. Fishing Contest (Jan), Yachting Regatta (Jan).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
National Trust Museum, Cooke St housed within an old timber mill (1872) with interesting local and nautical history displays and memorabilia. Open (2pm-4.30pm) holidays. Cape Jaffa Lighthouse, Marine Pde (1868). Open (2pm-4.30pm) holidays. Historic Kingston (over 20 sites) including in Cooke St - Otter House (1856), old Gaol & Police Station (1864), Vine Cottage (1870) and Hanson St - Post Office (1866), old Courthouse (1869) and the Jetty (1878). Analematic Sundial, Maria Creek Island adjacent to Apex Park is an unusual Human Involvement sundial, one of only 8 in the world. Aboriginal burial ground, Dowdy St. Engine House, Holland St an historic engine that provided the town’s power from 1947-1974.

Nearby:
Butcher's Gap Conservation Park (6 km s-w) wetlands reserve with thick coastal scrub with excellent bushwalks and home to many bird species, wombats and sugar gliders.  Mount Scott Conservation Park (20 km east) consists of former coastal dunes with stringy bark forests ideal for birdwatching, spotting wombats and bushwalking. The Granites (18 km north) stunning rugged outcrops. Cape Jaffa (18 km s-w) small fishing village celebrating the Cape Jaffa Seafood & Wine Festival each Jan and known for great diving areas. Jip Jip Conservation Park (50 km n-e) interestingly shaped granite boulders. Long Beach (extends between Kingston and Coorong NP) is one of Australia’s best surf fishing beaches holding the Annual Surf Fishing competition each Jan.

Accommodation:
Kingston S.E. has 3 motels, a couple of hotels, a B&B and caravan park. Visitor Information Centre: BP Roadhouse, 1 Princes Hwy. Tel (08) 8767 2404.

Airports:
Naracoorte Airport (NAC), Aerodrome Rd, Naracoorte. (96 km east); Mount Gambier Airport (MGB), off Riddoch Hwy. Tel (08) 8725 1112. (156 km s-e).

Hospital:
Kingston Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Young St. Tel (08) 8767 0222.