Kingston SE – the beach starts here!

A longer drive today of just over 200km, along part of the road we went on the day before and then further around the coast line. We made a wrong turn, but then we got to see the Big Olives. Lovely water views and a couple more pink lakes and a huge rainbow, and an even bigger lobster - to arrive just before 3pm at Kingston SE RV Park. The park is on the coastline, although the waters edge is in the distance. It is very windy with 50km winds reducing overnight. The waves could be seen from the van.

The RV Park is right on the foreshore. There is a build up of weed, which we were told happens every winter, and the waves are hitting the wall of weed very hard. There are toilets located in the park next to the RV Park - a very short walk, and in summer time the seafood shop across the road would be very convenient. There is a credit card machine - tap and go type - and $10 allows one to stay up to 48 hours. A ticket is produced from the machine that you leave on your dashboard, and locals do check. We were the only ones here the first night, but another three vans came the second night. 

We went for a walk up to the information centre, which is in the Council building. A lovely lady there answered our questions about the name - to avoid confusion with other Kingston's in the area SE for south east was added - and what to see. We picked up a historic walking guide and off we went. The buildings have information boards which tell one about the origins of the building, but not always what the building is used for now. This is the old bank house, built in 1876, and opened as the Bank of South Australia. The back appears to be a private residence, and we are not sure if the front rooms are part of the private residence or not.

To have the 'old' photo on the information board and to be able to match up with the 'now' photo was good. This is the site of the old Kingston-Naracoote Railway, and the still remaining Station-master's house c1877. From the photos and the map we could see where the railway went.

The town was established in 1858 by settlers Archibald and James Cooke in order to develop a sea trade town. They built wool stores and shipping offices and encouraged others to help establish the town. The port was declared a safe harbour in 1865. Now it is a holiday destination. Both nights we had a lovely sunset.

We took so many sunset photos.

Kingston must be a wonderful place in the summer. Many of the cafes and restaurants were closed. We did have fish and chips for lunch one day which was lovely, and Peter went to one of the pubs to meet the locals. A place to come back to.