A Legacy Etched in Stone.
First opened in 1867, the Royal Mail Hotel stands as a testament to Kingston’s rich history. Constructed from local field stone, the hotel was built to serve workers at the nearby wool stores owned by the Cooke brothers, the first non-Indigenous settlers in the Kingston area.
As the town grew, so did the hotel’s significance. When the railway from Naracoorte was completed and the jetty extended to over a kilometre in length, the Royal Mail Hotel became a hub for train travellers and sailors. Ships docked to export the region’s prized wool and grain, while the hotel provided a warm meal, a comfortable bed and a place to rest weary horses. Like many Royal Mail Hotels across Australia, its name reflected its role as a vital stop on the royal mail run. Behind the hotel, the original field stone stables—where travellers’ and mailmen’s horses were kept overnight—remain as a tangible link to its storied past
A Royal Encounter.
One of the most remarkable chapters in the hotel’s history unfolded on the evening of June 22, 1881. As dusk settled over Kingston, two unexpected visitors arrived by horse-drawn buggy: 17-year-old Prince Albert Victor, then second in line to the British throne, and his younger brother, Prince George, later crowned King George V. The young princes arrived in Kingston having made the 92 mile journey from Meningie, with five changes of horses along the way.
Though their arrival was unanticipated, the townsfolk quickly gathered. It was reported in the Border Watch, residents of the hotel gave them three hearty cheers and a bonfire was lit in front of the hotel so that the people gathered could see them. The royal duo dined on turkey and veal before retiring to their rooms just after midnight. Their luggage, delayed during the journey, arrived an hour later. At 8am the next morning, the Princes departed on a specially arranged train bound for Naracoorte, a far more comfortable journey than their bumpy buggy ride. Before leaving, the Chairman of the District Council, Mr Jarman, read an official address to the Princes to which they briefly replied.
The route they took to Kingston later became a bituminised road and was named the Princes Highway to commemorate their visit.
A Timeless Icon.
Today, the hotel retains its charm and character, blending historical significance with modern hospitality. Behind its storied walls lies a legacy of resilience, connection and celebration—a true testament to Kingston’s past, present and future.
Step inside the Royal Mail Hotel and become part of a story that has been unfolding for over 150 years.
