WILDLIFE AND BEACHES

Caution:- When driving in KI there is a lot of wild life large and small so keep a sharp look out.

Planned a week in KI with all the family for my 60’th birthday.  From Alice it was going to be tight to get the usual Qantas plane and then drive to Cape Jervis to get a sensible time ferry so we decided to go Virgin as it went 2.5 hours earlier allowing for more leeway.  The virgin flight was due to land in Adelaide at  12.35 and then a 1.5 hour drive to Cape Jervis for the 4 pm ferry – should be easy.

Our first experience with Virgin though was not great, firstly the flight was delayed by 30 mins, then we get on and sit on the tarmac for 30 mins, then off again and wait and wait.  The flight ended up leaving about 1.5 hours late.  This would make it very tight – but maybe possible.

Halfway down to Cape Jervis it became obvious we would not make the ferry so called Sealink – luckily a later ferry was available so they switched our booking – we now had ample time to buy supplies too. If you have time on your way to the ferry it is well worth a stop at Deep Creek Conservation Park, there are various walks and you can camp if you have enough time (and the gear).

Taking the 6pm ferry arriving in Penneshaw and then drive to Vivonne Bay a lovely drive but it was almost dark on arrival.  We had booked our accommodation (Currawong Cottage) on-line, one daughter had booked the house next door (Flip Flap Flop) and the other over the road (Stormy Sky). It was great as we all like a different style of accommodation (and a different price bracket).  This way we all got what we wanted but were close enough for easy access.  The houses were a dune or two from the beach.  The one we had rented was rustic (how we like it) but very user friendly and big – we also had staying in our accommodation our friend Chris who we often travel with and my sister.

Our daughters and families had caught a morning ferry over so were well settled, we did a quick visit of each house to say hi to everyone specifically the 4 grandkids who were all about to go to bed.

We decided to go to an early tour of Seal Bay in the hope that there would not be too many other tourists, and we were lucky that there were not. After all we are 3 couples and 4 young children so we are quite a large party in our own right. The grandchildren are 2 girls age 3 and 2 boys age 20 months. The children were very excited and loved all the artifacts in the shop – there is so much information that would be great for older children – ours are a bit young for a lot of it yet. When the guide was ready we went off down the boardwalk to the beach area, through the sand dunes. We were really lucky that there were a number of sealions very close to the boardwalk, fantastic for the kids to see them close up. Once on the beach there are so many, and due to the time of year there were a lot of young pups too. We spent a good amount of time, taking photos and watching the sealions playful antics – while at the same time keeping the kids amused in the sand. We have been here before but it never ceases to amaze me – a wonderful experience. After the tour we walked the rest of the boardwalk – at one point there is the skeleton of a whale which is interesting. Definitely an experience I would recommend.

Took a trip to Little Sahara although the grandkids are too young to sandboard on their own it was a great place for a family as the adults enjoy the sandboarding and the kids can just play around – and take the occasional turn with a parent on the board. Great fun, although admittedly a bit tiring for the little ones to walk up the sand dunes.  The views at the top are spectacular, we were lucky there were only a couple of other people there.  You can buy a multi ticket – which is what we did as it was not much more than a single and gave us options to come back.  When you first walk up the sand dunes you think you should be close to the sea and able to see it but in reality you are a long way away and there is no sighting, just miles more sand dunes.

Pandarna wildlife park (now called Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park)

The grandchildren loved this park, they bought food to feed the kangaroos.  The park is not cheap at $25 per adult and $15 per child but it will keep the kids amused for a few hours.  We did not but you can cuddle a koala $30 per person, hold a snake $15 per person or hold a wombat $30 per person.

There are various feeding times for Dingo’s Pelican’s and Penguins.

We found that our grandchildren most liked the Giant Concrete Koala and to climb all over it.

This is an absolutely stunning beach but many people do not find it as you have to go down a path and through a narrow gap in the rocks.  Safe swimming in a rock enclosed area and small surf for anyone wanting to body board or play in the waves.

Water is a bit on the coolish side. Take your own shade though as there is little available.  There is a small café before you enter the beach if you need to buy food or drinks.

Admirals Arch

Steve had to sit this day out as he was sick, such a shame.  After a lovely drive to Admirals Arch we parked and the first thing that happened is one of our grandsons went running too fast and fell over – he got a massive bump on his head.  On the way down to the boardwalk we saw a  Rosenberg’s Goanna (these are becoming rare and the visitor centre asks you to report all sightings).  

Further down the boardwalk there was a snake on the sand right next to it – but I could not identify it before it was disturbed and disappeared.  It was very windy and watching the waves pound over the island off the coast was amazing. We watched the fur seals and the many pups for quite a while – till the wind got to us.  Just before turning to come back the same child fell again – not his day.  We made our way back for a look at the lighthouse and a picnic in the carpark.

Vivonne Bay

Our accommodation at Currawong Cottage was lovely, very rustic and user friendly.  It was great for large groups and families.  Lots of games and things for the kids to do.  Outside there was a deck with a table that seated all of us (8 adults and 4 kids), this overlooked bush and had a lovely bird bath that got many visitors – birds and animals.  A short walk through the bush took you straight to the road and cliff above the beach, steps a short way down the road and then you are on another pristine beach with hardly any people.  You can walk along to the inlet of the Harriet River.

We spent a number of days with the family at the River as it was calm and a great place for the kids to play in the water.  Also good for fishing, although the men did not catch much of any size.

A car drive takes you to the Vivonne Bay Jetty and lookout (a short walk) which is also well worth a visit – and again the jetty is popular for fishing.  The water is crystal clear and very beautiful.

Remarkable Rocks

Another great family place, the youngsters love finding all the odd nooks and crannies and exploring the different shaped rocks – just keep them close as it is easy to fall.  It is quite desolate and very windswept which is what has caused the shapes of the rocks.

Kelly Hill Caves

A limestone cave system with incredible shapes and colours and it is a very consistent temperature inside – great on a hot day.  Also the walk around the adjacent Bouguer Wilderness Area, we saw a lot of birds here and it was a lovely walk.

Hansen Bay

Another beautiful bay with a curved sandy beach, we stayed at Hansen Bay Cabins that are just small motel style rooms overlooking the bay – you can not beat the view.  The water is cold but very refreshing on a hot day.  I loved walking along the beach and exploring the river.

Flinders Chase National Park

We camped up at West Bay – a 4X4 track to a bush camp with an amazing walk down to a secluded cove.  At night the children fed possums and wallabies and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.  During the day there are pleasant walks. On the way back we stopped and did the walk at Snake Lagoon which has a lovely boardwalk.  We also went to Platypus waterhole – but unfortunately did not see any Platypus but did see the bubbles where they were digging under water.  There was good birdlife here too.