Kingscote, South Australia

Infobox Australian Place | type = town
name = Kingscote
state = South Australia


caption = Commercial Street.
lga = Kangaroo Island Council
postcode = 5223
est = 1836
pop = 1200
elevation=
maxtemp = 19.1
mintemp = 11.6
rainfall = 484
stategov = Electoral district of Finniss
fedgov = Division of Mayo
dist1 =
dir1 =
location1=

Kingscote is the largest town on Kangaroo Island, an island off the south coast of South Australia, with a population of about 1,200. It is a well established tourist centre, and also the administrative and communications centre. It is also home to a colony of the smallest penguins in the world, the little penguin. It is South Australia's oldest european settlement. [ [http://www.travelmate.com.au/Places/Places.asp?TownName=Kingscote_%5C_SA Kingscote, South Australia] "Travelmate", Accessed 25/8/07]

History

The South Australia Company established its colony at Kingscote at Reeves Point on 27 July 1836, as South Australia's first official European settlement, the first settlers having arrived on the "Duke of York". [ [http://www.kangarooisland.sa.gov.au Kangaroo Island Council - Welcome ] ] It was later suggested that Kingscote could serve as the capital of South Australia, but the island's resources were insufficient to support such a large community; the South Australia Company moving almost six months later to Adelaide after having sent surveyors to find a better site.

The history of the area is displayed in the museum in Hope Cottage, located to the north of the town. Hope Cottage was one of the three earliest houses built in Kingscote, (circa 1850) together with the adjoining cottages of "Faith" and "Charity". ("Faith" has been subsequently demolished).

The Old Mulberry Tree at Reeves Point was planted in 1836, and still bears fruit. Reeves Point has been placed on the Australian Heritage Places List. [cite web|title =Australian Heritage Places Register|publisher =Australian Government| url=http://www.heritage.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahpi/record.pl?RNE15625|accessdate =2007-07-17]

Facilities

Kingscote has a school offering years 1 to 12, a modern hospital, one major supermarket, post office and Government offices. It is the administrative centre for the Kangaroo Island Council, whose offices have recently undergone a significant upgrade.

There is an extensive wharf and jetty, formerly utilised by the roll on, roll off vessels, "Troubridge" and "Island Seaway".

Kingscote has a unique tidal swimming pool, plus a sports centre and adjoining oval and netball courts.

The Ozone Seafront Hotel, with its mermaid statue, is a well known landmark on the Kingscote foreshore, having opened in 1907. The hotel was sold in June 2008 to the Aurora Hotels Group. [cite web|title=Aurora Group buys Ozone Hotel|publisher=The Islander|date=2008-06-19|accessdate=2006-06-27|url=http://kangarooisland.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/aurora-group-buys-ozone-hotel/793252.aspx]

ee also

*Kingscote Airport

Notes

External links

* [http://www.tourkangarooisland.com.au/ Kangaroo Island]