Kangaroo Island Tour

Sixteen Seaholme Probus members, plus partners, friends and local Village residents, have just enjoyed a wonderful 5 day tour to Kangaroo Island. After flying to Adelaide, we joined a coach and drove along the picturesque Fleurieu Peninsula to take the ferry from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw.

Accommodation was at the Mecure Kangaroo Island Lodge in American River, enjoying rooms with a water view and delicious gourmet meals. Our first day on the island was wildlife focussed – Seal Bay and Nobby Island included a walk to the beach with a Ranger or following the boardwalk paths down to the lookout with Guide Connie. Both groups experienced close views of the Australian Seal bulls, cows or seapups as they rested on the sand or lay in the dunes. Then it was off to visit the New Zealand Fur Seals at Cape Du Couedic Lighthouse and Admirals Arch, following the spectacular boardwalk paths and steps down to see the colony of seals close up – the adventurous made it to Admirals Arch.

Next we visited Remarkable Rocks, impressive granite boulders which have been battered by rain, wind and pounding rocks. Some made the trek down to climb up the rocks. During the day we sighted Cape Barren Geese, a wombat and many different birds.

On Day 3 we experienced some of the local produce ventures. Cliffords Honey Farm has Lingunian Bees, the only pure strain in the world, imported to the Island from Italy in 1880’s and now protected against any other breeds being brought in. Cliffords harvest a range of honey flavours and also produce many health products, candles, wax products etc.

The Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery is another family business where we saw the eucalyptus trees used in the distillery, their laboratory and the shop stocked with a vast range of local products. At the Andermel Marren Farm we heard about the marrens, a freshwater crayfish, and where and how they are bred in tanks, mainly for consumption in their own restaurant. This was followed by a Wine Tasting of Local Wines and a Sampling of Island Condiments with tastes such as lemon myrtle and mountain pepper. One of the highlights was the Island Pure Sheep Dairy where we watched the sheep being milked in the dairy and sampled Mediterranean cheeses and yoghurt made there. The guide and a film answered many of our questions. A most interesting place. On route home we toured around the capital Kingscote, including the site where Matthew Flinders landed, historical hotels and the picturesque Beachfront.

Day 4. Back on the ferry next morning after viewing Penneshaw, with lunch on route at Normanton Golf Club and a tour of Adelaide sights before finishing at the Zoo to visit the pandas Wang Wang and Fumi who are on loan from China for ten years.

Day 5. After more sightseeing, particularly the newly renovated Adelaide Oval, we headed to the airport for our flight home.
All travellers agree that it was a great trip – Good weather, accommodation, meals, new friendships and so much to see.
A HUGE THANKYOU to Lois who spent so much time ensuring that everything ran smoothly. We all appreciate your effort and organisation skills.

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Thank you from the Webmaster to Margaret Bond for the written report and Lois Buckingham for the photographs.

Here is a link to the Kangaroo Island photo album.