Visit to Kangaroo Island 6th January 2023

We woke to a morning of clear blue skies but with a cool strong wing from the Southwest and with white caps across the water. We have concerns as to whether the Captain will allow the use of tenders to get us from the ship to the dock at Kangaroos Island.

The inability to berth and reliance upon the use of tenders makes the whole issue of moving passengers from the ship to land is critically determined via the weather and particularly the wind.

We have breakfast in the dining room and it is during this time that the Captain comes over the intercom to suggest that there are several challenges with the weather and the winds, the instability the dangers of the wharf, and the risks to passengers’ safety. They have had to move the ship through two different directions to stabilise the anchors before lowering one of the tenders. We are informed that the first tender has been able to reach the wharf, but has had difficulty tieing up and securing to the wharf/pier. They will settle and allow a further period of time and try another tender. The concerns are that, whilst there is a forecast for reducing winds later in the day, the current situation is marginal and they certainly will not take any risks.

Following breakfast, we return to our suite, then pick up our gear and excursion tickets and we are advised that we will likely make an attempt to go ashore at 10.00 am, (about 90 minutes late). We sit and wait, there are regular updates, but no decision. However, at around 10.10 am we are informed that there has been a slight drop in the winds.

We are securely guided down to the pontoon and then into the Lifeboat/ tender for the 10 -15 minute transfer from the ship through the gusty and wild winds and waves to the pier. We arrive but they cannot secure the tender to the pier we bounce around and it takes some 15 minutes to secure our tender. Other tenders follow and are secured quicker than ours.

The guides instruct us to make our way to the coaches and we have around 42 people on our Coach. The tour takes us to Kingscote which is about 65 minutes away.This is the largest township and settlement on Kangaroo Island with some 4,000 people but this stretches to 12,000 over the summer holiday period. Access to Kangaroo Island is via Ferries and via air from Adelaide etc. Cape Jervis is the key area for the ferries and Kingscote is the largest commercial settlement. We also visit Parndana and Pennington Beach areas for views of spectacular surf beaches with stunning white sand Unfortunately we don’t travel to Emu Bay on this tour.

We were advised that the American River is a must-do on any itinerary. At the turn along Hog Bay road, you will be welcomed by the monument of the Independence, the first vessel built in South Australia by the American sealers. A band of tireless volunteers is currently rebuilding the schooner in the boathouse on the Wharf. The quiet waters of Pelican Lagoon a bird watcher’s paradise are ideal for paddling a kayak that can be hired at the pier. The town is home to a large flock of the endangered Glossy Black cockatoos. as well as many other species of birdlife. which can be observed from the bird hides on the shoreline. From the wharf, if you don’t want to catch your own, you can purchase oysters, abalone, King George Whiting to marron, and other local fish. We drive further to take in beautiful Penneshaw and the wonderful colours of the sea against the backdrop of the White sand hills. and roaring sea with waves dumping upon the surf beach.

Many people arrive in Kangaroo Island in Pennesahaw by ferry from VCape Jervis and are greeted by a taste of Kangaroo Island with long stretches of white sandy beach and water so clear you can see the fish. Penneshaw is a small pretty coastal town with a vibrant village feel and friendly people. The Dudley Peninsula has so much to offer. We saw the desert sands and unfortunately, we didn’t visit the famed Remarkable rocks or the nearby Admirals Arch which are quintessential KI favorites in the Flinders Chase National Park.

We also drove past many of the areas devastated in the 2020 major Bush fires and it is wonderful to see the regeneration. Many areas will take years to recover but nature is fast at and hard at work. It remains hard to believe that 2/3 of the island’s forests and trees were devastated. We also were informed that the koala population is recovering quickly.

we have enjoyed a lovely morning on this tour and although we were delayed the guides ensured we have seen what was promised. afternoon on this tour. We arrive back at the port area and the weather has improved with winds moderating and we find the shuttle on the tender much easier and far more comfortable.