June 29: Kangaroo Island

The next day we’d planned to spend at Kangaroo Island and that meant an early 6:30 am departure for the tour. The bus picked us up at the hotel and we left in pouring rain but optimistic for better weather ahead. Although we experienced showers all day, as soon as we exited the bus at a scheduled stop the rain miraculously ceased! Kangaroo Island is accessed from Adelaide by a 2-hour bus ride, followed by a 45-minute ferry ride. The ride over was smooth and clear. On the island we were met by a new coach and an excellent driver/narrator. We began and ended the day with sightings of kangaroos - how appropriate!

Our first scheduled stop was at Seal Bay. This is the home of the Australian Sea lion and the second largest breeding colony in the country. This is a Conservation Park and the guiding Interpretive Officers were extremely careful not to have our visit encroach on the sea lion population in any way. It was a fascinating and unique opportunity to walk on the beach with these animals.

It was soon lunch time and this meant a visit to Vivonne Bay Bistro. Here we enjoyed an excellent meal and afterwards a Free Flight presentation of Australian Birds of Prey including eagles,

owls,

falcons,

and parrots.

It was an up-close experience where a ranger presented an informative and entertaining commentary while the birds demonstrated their natural skill, adaptations and hunting techniques. Flinders Chase National Park covers one-third of the Island and retains its natural vegetation and thick eucalypt scrub. Travelling through the park gave us breathtaking views of its unique trees, plants and coastal scenery.

An area that took us completely by surprise for its extraordinary geological formations was the Remarkable Rocks. This cluster of boulders is completely unique to the region, being sculptured by the weather and perched on a granite dome rising steeply from the ocean. They were weird and wonderful and shaped by the wind and ocean spray over the centuries.

This was a one-day tour so it was on to see an old stone-crafted lighthouse named Cape du Couedic. It’s not used anymore but has been converted for holiday accommodation and offers great views. A short walk further is an incredible sight: Admirals Arch. It’s a long steep and slippery climb. Centuries of water and wind erosion have fashioned a spectacular archway out of solid rock.

It’s also a breeding ground for thousands of New Zealand Fur Seals.

Our last stop was the Flinders Chase Visitors Centre. We find the name Flinders all over Australia...he was a very busy explorer indeed. The Interpretive Centre is in the heart of sugar gum forest and was a great place to learn about native and introduced wildlife like Koalas and Cape Barren Geese. Now followed the long “homeward” journey....bus to the ferry...another bus back to Adelaide and comfort of our hotel. It was indeed a long day trip to Kangaroo Island, but well worth the effort and expense.