Kingston SE, South Australia

Kingston SE South Australia
Lobster sculpture located at the entrance to the town
Kingston SE
Coordinates	36°49′S 139°51′E / 36.817°S 139.850°E / -36.817; 139.850Coordinates: 36°49′S 139°51′E / 36.817°S 139.850°E / -36.817; 139.850
Population	1,425 (2011 census)
Established	1861
Postcode(s)	5275
Time zone	ACST (UTC+9:30)
• Summer (DST)	ACDT (UTC+10:30)
Location	240 km (149 mi) SE of Adelaide city centre 138 km (86 mi) NW of Mount Gambier
LGA(s)	Kingston District Council
State electorate(s)	MacKillop
Federal Division(s)	Barker
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 19.2 °C 67 °F 10.3 °C 51 °F 495.6 mm 19.5 in
Localities around Kingston SE: Lacepede Bay West Range Blackford Lacepede Bay Rosetown Lacepede Bay Kingston SE Blackford Reedy Creek Lacepede Bay Wyomi Sandy Grove Wangolina Reedy Creek Reedy Creek
Footnotes	Locations Adjoining Localities

Kingston SE (formerly Kingston) is a town in the Australian state of South Australia located in the state's south-east coastline on the shores of Lacepede Bay. It is located about 240 kilometres (150 mi) southeast of the state capital of Adelaide and 138 kilometres (86 mi) north-west of the centre of the city of Mount Gambier. At the 2011 census, Kingston SE had a population of 1,425.

The town was named after Sir George Strickland Kingston, a South Australian politician, surveyor and architect. Kingston Post Office opened on 9 February 1869. The extension on its name is to distinguish Kingston in the South East (of South Australia) from another 'Kingston' in the state which is now officially named "Kingston On Murray" was added in July 1940. The present-day town of Kingston SE includes the original Kingston, as well as the towns of Port Caroline and Maria Creek.

The town was connected to Naracoorte by a 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) railway in 1876, providing a port for the grain and wool grown away from the coast. The rails were converted to broad gauge 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) in 1959. The railway closed on 28 November 1987 then was dismantled on 15 September 1991.

The main industries are fishing, winemaking, sheep and cattle farming and recreation, the district having a large influx of tourists during holiday periods throughout the year.

The northern entrance to the town is dominated by the Big Lobster, fondly named "Larry" by people in Kingston.

Many great pubs, hotels, and shops can be found, and Kingston also hosts one of the best fish and chip shops in Australia. "Macs Takeaway" has twice won awards for their outstanding fish and chips.

The town has an Australian rules football team competing in the Kowree-Naracoorte-Tatiara Football League.