Kingston SE National Trust Museum

06/06/2026

22/05/2026

History month isn't over yet! Head on down to Port MacDonnell's museum to check out their exhibit on Charles Elliot Perryman ...poet, artist and a former Cape Jaffa lighthouse keeper.

While we're talking poets, Adam Lindsay Gordon's former home (Dingley Dell) near Port Mac is open for tours on Sunday morning; AND, at Yallum Park in Penola, also on Sunday, a reading of the play 'Reckless' about Adam Lindsay Gordon's life.

More info about what history events are still to come around the state at

The History Festival celebrates history for all South Australians; from multi-generational stories stretching across decades and millennia, across continents and country, in our urban centres, in our regional communities and natural heritage sites.

17/05/2026

A wonderful afternoon marking 150 years of the Kingston to Naracoorte railway at the museum today. It was standing room only in 'Annie Goodwin's parlour' where around 40 guests enjoyed an afternoon of sharing memories of the train service, a presentation about the history of the line, and a preview of other projects we have coming up...including building a diorama of the former rail yards, plus other events later in the year related to the railway, and the redevelopment of some of our exhibition space as Jarmans shop (doesn't Lindsey look splendid as a shop keeper?). With thanks to the volunteers who made today happen, and for The Sheep's Back Museum who supported us by sharing some of their collection for the day. More photos to follow.
If you missed today and want to explore local history, the museum is open on Tuesday afternoons, and by appointment.

15/05/2026

🚂 THIS SUNDAY | ALL ABOARD FOR LOCAL HISTORY 🚂

The countdown is on for our special South Australian History Festival event celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Kingston to Naracoorte Railway.

Join us this Sunday afternoon as we explore the story of the railway that changed the South East forever, connecting Kingston’s port with Naracoorte’s growing agricultural region from 1876.

📸 Historic photographs
🧳 Fascinating memorabilia
🗣 Guided stories from passionate local volunteers

📅 Sunday, 17th May
🕜 1.30pm – 4pm
📍 Kingston SE National Trust Museum
23 Cooke Street, Kingston SE

🎟 Adults $10 | Children $5

There’s something pretty special about uncovering the stories of the people, places and progress that built our region. Come along and be part of it.

13/05/2026

🚂 History Month Highlight: Celebrating 150 Years of the Kingston–Naracoorte Railway

This Sunday, our neighbours in Kingston SE are marking a wonderful milestone, 150 years since the opening of the Kingston–Naracoorte Railway, the very line that helped shape the South East’s early wool and agricultural industries.

The railway played a huge role in connecting our region’s farms, stations, and communities to the wider world. It’s a story close to the heart of places like the Sheep’s Back Museum, where we celebrate the people and industries that built the Limestone Coast.

If you’re heading towards the coast this weekend, the Kingston SE National Trust Museum will have a special display of photographs and memorabilia open for History Month.

📅 Sunday 17 May
🕜 1.30pm – 4pm
📍 Kingston SE National Trust Museum, 23 Cooke St
🔗 Event details: https://festival.history.sa.gov.au/events/celebrating-the-150th-anniversary-of-kingston-to-naracoorte-railway/

A lovely way to honour our shared history across the region.

11/05/2026

🚂 HISTORY IS PULLING INTO THE STATION NEXT WEEK 🚂

A little reminder to mark your calendars for our special South Australian History Festival event:

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟭𝟱𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆

Join our enthusiastic volunteers as they share the photographs and memorabilia behind one of the South East’s most important transport links.

📅 Sunday, 17th May
🕜 1.30pm – 4pm
📍 Kingston SE National Trust Museum
23 Cooke Street, Kingston SE

🎟 Adults $10 | Children $5

From freight and farming to passengers and progress — discover how the railway helped shape the region we know today.

We hope to see you there!

08/05/2026

🚂 ALL ABOARD FOR A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME 🚂

The Kingston SE National Trust Museum is proud to be joining the 2026 South Australian History Festival with a special local event:

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟭𝟱𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆

Step back to 1876 and uncover the story of the first railway in the South East — the line that connected the Port of Kingston with the inland agricultural hub of Naracoorte and transformed travel, trade and life in the region.

Our enthusiastic volunteers will guide you through a fascinating collection of photographs and memorabilia illustrating this remarkable chapter of local history.

📅 Sunday, 17th May
🕜 1.30pm – 4pm
📍 Kingston SE National Trust Museum
23 Cooke Street, Kingston SE

🎟 Adults $10 | Children $5

Whether you’re a history lover, railway enthusiast or simply curious about the stories that shaped our region, we’d love to welcome you aboard.

23/04/2026

Save the date - 17th May, 1-30 - 4pm @ the museum! Celebrating 150 years of the Kingston to Naracoorte Railway.