Penneshaw and the Dudley Peninsula

The next morning we decided that we would drive back to Penneshaw to the accredited tourist information centre and find out how to best experience Kangaroo Island.  After a chat with one of the girls we left with a map and lots of ideas of what to see and do.  Our first stop was for coffee sitting on a verandah opposite the Penneshaw Hotel while we planned the rest of our day.

Leaving the cafe we drove along the coast road stopping to take a walk along the gorgeous little beach where we found some Pied Oystercatchers and the elusive Hooded Plover.   This little beach is on Hog Bay and from here we could see the ferry ready to leave on it's next crossing.  Looking the other way we could see Frenchman's Rock and Ironstone Hill and Baudin Conservation area.

Hog Bay Beach was where The French Explorer, Captain Nicholas Baudin, anchored and sent a party ashore to find fresh meat and water.  While waiting for the water casks to fill one of the French sailors carved a message on a rock which translated to 'Expedition of discovery by Captain Baudin in the Geographe 1803'.  The original rock is now housed in the tourist information and a replica rock has been placed beside the spring.  While we were there they were doing some repair work on the walkways so we could not get too close.

Of course Capt. Matthew Flinders had made the first recorded sighted of the island in March 1802 when he came ashore and named it Kangaroo Island because of all the roaming Kangaroos. It was the first time the hungry crew had found fresh food in months.  In April 1802 as the 'Investigator' left the bay they sighted the sails of 'Le Geographe' on the horizon.  Capt. Matthew Flinders shared his knowledge of fresh food and water with Capt. Nicholas Baudin even though the two countries were at war during that time.  

Just opposite, above Frenchman's Rock, is the Contemplation Seat where you can sit and remember the Aboriginal Women who were brought to Kangaroo Island to assist the whalers and sealers before official settlement of the island.  As you climb up to the park each step is engraved with one of their names.  

Back in the car we drove around to Baudin Conservation Park where we stretched the legs again with a walk before continuing on our tour of the Dudley Peninsula.  From here we drove on to see Chapman River and Antechamber Bay.  There was a campsite and picnic area here and we had our lunch in the car as the rain arrived just as we did.  Once it had stopped we were out of the car and walked over to see another beautifully tranquil beach.  Beside the car was the river which was just as tranquil and so clear you could almost see the fish.

Our next stop was Cape Willoughby to see the lighthouse.  This was the first lighthouse on the island, built in 1852.  It is a 27 metre high tower with three keepers cottages and a weather station making up the complex.  Still a working lighthouse it is now open for tourists so we were able to walk around the grounds and see the spectacular views across the coast, The southern Ocean and The Backstairs Passage.   Bill took this photo as we left Cape Willoughby.

From the car park the beautiful Moncrieff Bay could be seen and beyond to another lighthouse on Cape St Albans.  This one was not open to the public as the others were.

Pretty much touristed out for the day we turned the car around and headed for home with a quick stop to check out the camping sites at Browns Beach and American River.  We stopped for a while here at the jetty fascinated by the pelicans as they lined up on the lights waiting for the boats to come in.  

The Pelican Sculpture below them told stories of the fishermen, ketches and history of American River and we were looking forward to coming here to stay.  More on that later.  So from here it was straight home for dinner, a movie and bed.  We had had a fabulous day and Kangaroo Island just kept getting better and better.

Until tomorrow........