Kingston: Churches, Houses and the Whitewater Creek Track

Kingston can be explored through several distinct themes: churches with striking architecture, a house with sandstone dormers, a former school, public art and a track along a creek. This is an interesting mix if you would like to consider both local history and outdoor activities when planning your trip. The examples represent different ways to engage with Kingston: the buildings invite you to consider their dates, architectural styles and former uses, while the Whitewater Creek Track follows the waterway.

Historic buildings with distinct features

St Aloysius Catholic Church dates from 1873. Sunnyside House at 67 Cleburne Street offers a different point of reference in time: the single-storey house with sandstone dormers dates from 1832 to 1840. The house therefore predates the church. Their features also differ: the church has a specific year, while the house has a date range and a particular roof feature. A dormer is a structure projecting from a roof; the sandstone dormers are a specific architectural detail of the house. For the church, by contrast, the year it was built is the focus. This allows construction dates and architectural styles to serve as two separate starting points for comparing the buildings.

St Clements Rectory is at 11 Channel Highway, on the corner of Beach Road. Kingston Reformed Church is on Denison Street; its distinctive tower is considered a city landmark. These locations and features also create different points of interest: the rectory is identified by a specific street corner, while the church is a city landmark thanks to its tower. The former Kingston School on Hutchins Street adds a former school site to the area’s history. As well as churches and a house, education and past uses are therefore themes in their own right. If you are planning to visit the interior of a historic building, check access in advance.

The Whitewater Creek Track as a different focus

The Whitewater Creek Track follows Whitewater Creek and connects Kingston with Spring Farm and the Kingborough Sports Precinct. Unlike the individual buildings, the focus here is a route along a waterway. This offers a different approach to planning your trip: you can explore Kingston through architecture and local history, or include the track as an outdoor activity. If you would rather plan your stay around a route like this than around individual historic buildings, this is a clear difference when choosing what to do. Before setting out, check the current track conditions and the access point you plan to use.

“Sea Urchin” at Kingston Park Playground

Art adds its own cultural touch: the sculpture “Sea Urchin” by Benjamin Gilbert stands at Kingston Park Playground on Goshawk Way. Its title, artist and location give the work a specific connection to Kingston and set it apart from the historic buildings and the track. If you plan to include the sculpture in your itinerary, check before visiting whether it is still there.

Discover more destinations: New Town, Berriedale, Cambridge, Clifton Beach, Sandy Bay, Glenorchy, Warrane, Margate.

For the main travel overview: Hobart.