A DAY IN....
Kingston SE
Located at the southern end of the Coorong, Kingston SE (South East) is renowned for its safe swimming beaches, good fishing and laid-back country vibe.
Words: John Pedler
Kingston SE is 294km south-east of Adelaide, on the shores of Lacepede Bay. Home to about 1640 people, the town’s population swells with holidaymakers heading for the seaside during the warmer months.
See
Welcoming visitors approaching Kingston SE from the north, Larry the Lobster is a 17m-tall, strikingly accurate likeness of its smaller, sea-dwelling cousins.
Also at Kingston’s northern entrance, you’ll find the Analemmatic Sundial, also known as the Sundial of Human Involvement. Here, the visitor becomes the gnomon (the part of the sundial that casts the shadow) and the hour-points are chunks of rock embedded in the ground.
Once perched on Margaret Brock Reef, 7km off the south-east coastline, Cape Jaffa Lighthouse was decommissioned in 1974 and relocated to Kingston SE. The lighthouse is now a museum housing a treasure-trove of maritime history and artefacts, with tours available.
Cape Jaffa Lighthouse.
Shop
For homemade baked goods, crafts, candles and local honey, visit The Little Shop on Agnes Street. Down the road is Dewberry Home, stocking homewares, books, toys and babywear, and if you need clothing, swimwear or a gift, pop into Style Co Agency. You’ll find colourful clothing, jewellery, homewares and gifts galore at Asian Inspiration in Charles Street.
The Big Lobster.
Eat and drink
For quality pub fare, head to the Royal Mail Hotel, which has been serving locals and visitors for nearly 160 years. The pub takes pride in offering locally and South Australian-sourced produce and wine. Coffee connoisseurs can get their fix at Bliss by the Sea, while the kids slurp on a fruit smoothie or milkshake.
For the freshest lobsters, fish, oysters, prawns and other delights from the deep, head to Lacepede Seafood on the beachfront. Dine in, take away, or buy in bulk for a banquet at home.
Lacepede Seafood.
Stay
Set up your tent, caravan or camper at the aptly named Foreshore Caravan Park. It offers powered and unpowered sites, comfortable cabins and villas, as well as a camp kitchen and barbecues.
Enjoy roomy digs at Agnes Cottage Bed and Breakfast – a three-bedroom house and garden near the town centre. Built in 1940, the cottage has all the mod-cons for a relaxing stay.
Just south of Larry the Lobster, the Kingston Lobster Motel offers 24-hour check-in, a barbecue and pool.
IMAGES: Kym Gibbs; SATC/Frame.
