| Kingscote South Australia |
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  Kingscote
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| Population: | 1,692 [1] | ||||||
| Established: | 1836 | ||||||
| Postcode: | 5223 | ||||||
| Coordinates: | 35°39′11″S 137°38′03″E / 35.653013°S 137.634260°ECoordinates: 35°39′11″S 137°38′03″E / 35.653013°S 137.634260°E | ||||||
| LGA: | Kangaroo Island Council | ||||||
| State District: | Electoral district of Finniss | ||||||
| Federal Division: | Division of Mayo | ||||||
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Kingscote is the largest town on Kangaroo Island, an island off the south coast of South Australia. 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.[2] At the 2006 census, Kingscote had a population of 1,692.[1]
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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.[3] 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 moved 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.[4]
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 Aurora Ozone Seafront Hotel, with its mermaid statue, is a well known landmark on the Kingscote foreshore, having opened in 1907.
See also
Notes
- ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Kingscote (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=UCL411400&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 2009-09-12.
- ^ Kingscote, South Australia Travelmate, Accessed 25/8/07
- ^ Kangaroo Island Council - Welcome
- ^ "Australian Heritage Places Register". Australian Government. http://www.heritage.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahpi/record.pl?RNE15625. Retrieved 2007-07-17.
External links
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