Kingston
KIngston is situated at the very northern boundary of Northern Southland and stands on a glacial moraine 75 metres above the Lake Wakatipu glacial trough. Lake Wakatipu, the second largest lake in the South Island, averages 400 metres deep and 4 kilometers wide. The lake originally drained south to the Mataura River. As the moraine blocked the flow, a new outlet, the Kawarau River, formed at Frankton.
History:
Traces of Maori settlement have been found around Kingston; the name of the Maori village has been perpetuated in the Kingston scenic reserve, Te Kere Haka.
With the discovery of the Wakatipu goldfields, Kingston became important in the district transport system, with a busy shipping centre, 10 hotels, 2 banks, several stores and a butcher shop. At one time as many as five thousand people camped in and around Kingston.
 The original name of Kingston was St. John, after St. John Brannigan, the Commissioner of Police. It was also known as Georgetown.
The railway came to Kingston in 1878. The section Kingston to Gore was known as the 'Kingston Flyer'. Many boats plied the lake but the most enduring of these, the 'Earnslaw', was reassembled at Kingston and launched there in 1912. The railway ceased service between Lumsden and Kingston in 1970 and between Gore and Lumsden in 1971. The Kingston Flyer tourist operation commenced 21st December 1971 from Lumsden. Today the train operates from Fairlight station to Kingston to the delight of thousands of tourist each year.
Of interest:
Kingston Golf Club, 9 hole golf course
Kingston Bowling Club Inc. Full size green with bowls to hire.
Gore Boat Club. Clubhouse with full accommodation amenities
Boat ramp, two children's playgrounds, Tennis court, Swimming pool, Recreational reserves
Library, (Open Tuesday and Saturday, 10am - 12 noon),
Kingston Rural Fire Brigade and First Response Vehicle,
Kingston wharf with marine safety and guidance light.
The Kingston Flyer
New Zealand's famous vintage steam train.
Owner: Phil Kerr
Host: Beatrix Mitterboeck
Meals: Complimentary tea and coffee on board.
Costs: see website
Ride the Kingston Flyer and relive a bygone era.
Location: Kingston Railways Station - signposted on State Highway 6. 40 minutes south of Queenstown, 1.5 hours north of Te Anau.
Phone: +64 3 248 8848
Fax: +64 3 248 8881
Email: Website: www.kingstonflyer.co.nz
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