Kangaroo Island

History

Kangaroo Island was separated from mainland Australia by a rise in sea level over 9,000 years ago. Stone tools found suggest that Aboriginal people occupied the land at least 11,000 years ago; it is supposed that they disappeared in 200 BC. Theories about the cause include disease and inbreeding, warfare, climatic change or exodus.[1]

In 1802 British explorer Matthew Flinders, Commanding HMS Investigator, named the land "Kanguroo (sic) Island"[2] after landing near Kangaroo Head on the north coast of Dudley Peninsula. He was closely followed by the French explorer Nicolas Baudin, who mapped much of the island (which is why so many areas have French names). Although the French and the British were at war at the time, the men met peacefully. They both used the fresh water seeping at what is now known as Hog Bay near Frenchman's Rock; the community is now called Penneshaw.

An unofficial community of sealers and others was set up on Kangaroo Island from 1802 to the time of South Australia's official settlement in 1836. The sealers were rough men and several kidnapped Aboriginal women from Tasmania and mainland South Australia. The women were forced to do the work of sealers, amongst other activities. Three Aboriginal women tried to escape and swim back to the mainland; one is on record as having survived the journey.[3] The first ship to arrive was the Duke of York commanded by Captain Robert Clark Morgan (1798–1864).

Townships

The biggest town on Kangaroo Island is Kingscote. Originally established at Reeves Point on 27 July 1836, it is South Australia's first official European settlement. It was later suggested that Kingscote could serve as the capital of South Australia, but the island's resources were insufficient to support such a large community, so the settlement of Adelaide was chosen.

Penneshaw, the second largest town on Kangaroo Island, has a population of around 300, and is located on the north eastern tip of the Dudley Peninsula, on the eastern end of the island. It is home to the ferry terminal which brings most of the visitors to the island, along with all the necessary freight to sustain the local population. Parndana is the third largest town on Kangaroo Island, and is home to a population of around 150, however most of this population do not live in the town, they are sprawled within a few kilometres. The historic area to the south-east of the township, known as the Research Centre to locals, was home to the research station that was set up in the 1940s and 1950s to research the viability of agriculture in the area, and is still home to a small settlement of about 20 people. American River is the fourth largest town on the Island and is home to about 120 residents. Penneshaw, Parndana and American River each have basic facilities, including a general store and fuel and all are home to hotels. Facilities such as banking and large supermarkets are only available in Kingscote, although all towns have EFTPOS facilities of some sort.

KANGAROO ISLAND

General information-see individual towns below also

Kangaroo Island Gateway Visitor Information Centre
Howard Drive Penneshaw
08 8553 1185

TRAVELLERS SERVICES

Smartcar

1300 887121

Budget Rent a Car

08 8553 3133

Hertz

08 8553 2390

THINGS TO SEE & DO

Hanson Bay wildlife Sanctuary

Andermel Marron and TwoWheeler Creek Wines

Harriett Road, Central Kangaroo Island

08 8559 4128

The Islander Estate Vineyards

Bark Hut Road, Central Kangaroo Island

08 8553 9008

Roo Lagoon Gallery

Playford Hwy, Central Kangaroo Island

opening hours: 10 AM to 4 PM Monday to Friday

08 8559 3267

Cape Willoughby Lightstation

Cape Willoughby Road

tour Times: 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 2 PM daily

08 8553 1191

Kangaroo Island Lavender Farm

corner of Birchmore Road and Bomb Alley Road

08 8553 8209

TOUR OPERATORS

Kelly Hill Caves

Guided Tours

Alkira Nocturnal Tours

About the Bush by Jingo

08 8365 2355

Exceptional Kangaroo Island

08 8553 9119

Exceptional Kangaroo Island

131301

Kangaroo Island Marine Tours

0427 315286

Kangaroo Island Odysseys

08 8553 0386

Kangaroo Island Wilderness Tours

08 8559 5033

FISHING CHARTERS

Fleurieu Star Marine adventures

08 8598 0229

Wallaby Bob's Night Fishing Tours

08 8553 1032

Kangaroo Island Fishing Adventures

08 8559 3232

ACCOMMODATION

All Seasons Kangaroo Island Lodge

1800 355581

B&Bs

Adagio B&B

08 8553 7222

The Lookout B&B

08 8553 1048

Sea Dragon at Pink Bay

0407 878668

Captain’s Rest

Antechamber Bay

08 8269 7876

WINERIES

False Cape Wines

Rookery Wines

Sunset Winery

The Islander Estate Vineyards

Two Wheeler Creek Wines

AMERICAN RIVER  5221

THINGS TO SEE & DO

Prospect Hill

Hog Bay Road

Historic Fish Cannery

ACCOMMODATION

Casuarina Coastal Units

Ryberg Road

08 8553 7020

Matthew Flinders Terraces

Bayview Rd

0427 772646

Wanderers Rest

Bayview Rd

08 8553 7140

Ulonga Lodge

08 8553 7010

Island Coastal Units

08 8553 7010

B&Bs

Ulonga House B&B

08 8553 7010

The Kings B&B

08 8553 7003

FISHING CHARTERS

Cooinda Fishing Charters

08 8553 1072

The Kings Fishing Charters

08 8553 7003

Tory M fishing

08 8553 7041

ANTECHAMBER BAY

Chapman River Wines

off the Cape Willoughby Road at Antechamber Bay

08 8553 1371

BAUDIN BEACH

The Fig Tree B&B

107 Leander Avenue

KI Artworks Gallery

open: Friday to Tuesday 10 AM to 4 PM

Bessell Drive

08 8553 1381

BROWNLOW

Correa Corner B&B

Second Street

08 8553 2498

Kangaroo Island Garden Cottages

Third Street

08 8553 0011

CYGNET RIVER

Kangaroo Island Spirits

South Australia's 1st and only boutique distillery

Playford Hwy, 2 km east of Cygnet River

08 8553 9211

Pavilions

08 8553 9115

D’ESTREES BAY

Nautilus Lodge

08 8553 1140

EMU BAY

Emu Bay Lavender

Emu Bay Road

08 8553 5338

Seascape Lodge

FLINDERS CHASE

Flinders Chase Visitor Centre and Cafe

08 8559 7339

Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat

Lot 1 SOUTH Coast Road

08 8559 7275

FLOUR CASK BAY

Flour Cask Bay Sanctuary

Flour Cask Bay Road

08 8553 7278

HANSON BAY

Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

South Coast Road

08 8559 7344

ISLAND BEACH

"Astonesthrow"

08 8557 4373

Island Beach Cottages

0437 440604

KINGSCOTE  5223

Kingscote Nepean Bay Tourist Park

Corner of First and Third Streets

08 8553 2394

TRAVELLERS SERVICES

Laundromat

corner of Dauncey Street and Telegraph Road

THINGS TO SEE & DO

Kangaroo Island Penguin Centre

Kingscote wharf

08 8553 3112

Hope Cottage Folk Museum

Centenary Street

08 8553 2667

Island Beehive

corner of Playford Hwy and Acacia drive

08 8553 0080

Kangaroo Island Nocturnals

Kangaroo Island Marine Tours

0427 315286

GALLERIES

Fine Art Kangaroo Island

80 Dauncey Street

08 8553 0448

Shep on Dauncey

102 Dauncey Street

08 8553 0448

Kangaroo Island Gallery

Murray St

08 8553 2868

ACCOMMODATION

Comfort Inn Wisteria Lodge

7 Cygnet Road

08 8553 2707

Acacia Apartments

3-5 Rawson Street

08 8553 0088

Seaview Motel

51 Chapman Terrace

08 8553 2030

Island Court Holiday Units

67-77 Cygnet Road

08 8553 2657

Kangaroo Island Holiday Village

9 Dauncey Street

08 8553 2225

Kingscote Pier

1300 731440

PUBS/HOTELS

Aurora Ozone Hotel

Corner of Commercial Street and Chapman Terrace

08 8553 2011

Queenscliffe Family Hotel

Dauncey Street

08 8553 2254

CARAVAN PARKS

Kingscote Nepean Bay Tourist Park

08 8553 2394

CLUBS

Kingscote Golf Club

Links Road

Brownlow

Western Kangaroo Island Caravan Park

South Coast Road, Karatta

08 8559 7201

WINERIES

Bay of Shoals Wines

Cordes Road

08 8553 0289

MacGILLIVRAY

Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery andRookery Wines

Wilsons Rd, MacGillivray

opening hours: 9 AM to 2 PM daily

08 8553 8228

Stranraer Homestead B&B

08 8553 8235

PARNDANA  5220

Parndana Hotel-Including the Shearers Hall of Fame

Wedgwood Road

08 8559 6071

Parndana Soldier Settlement Museum

Wedgewood Road

08 8559 5009

Parndana Wildlife Park

opening hours: 9 AM to 5 PM daily

Playford Hwy

08 8559 6050

ACCOMMODATION

Eco-retreat

Lot 5, Gregors Road

08 8559 5234

Parndana Golf Club

Playford Hwy

PENNESHAW  5222

Kangaroo Island Gateway Visitor Information Centre
Howard Drive
08 8553 1185

THINGS TO SEE & DO

Penneshaw Maritime and Folk Museum

52 Howard Drive

opening hours: 3 to 5 PM Wednesday to Sunday (October to April only)

08 8553 1109

Rob’s Shearing Demos

Cape Willoughby Road

tour Times: by appointment only

08 8553 1068

Penneshaw Penguin Centre

Lloyd Collins Reserve

Winter open: 6 PM, Tours 7:30 PM and 8:30 PM

Summer open: 8 PM, Tours 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM

08 8553 1103

GALLERIES

Driftwood Gallery

corner of Thomas Wilson St and North Terrace

opening hours: 10 AM to 5 PM daily

0417 806758

Marshall Arts Gallery

Howard Drive

opening hours: 10 AM to 4 PM Friday to Monday

closed June and July

08 8553 1490

M.B. Stonor Art Glass

Hog Bay Road, Pelican Lagoon

opening hours: Friday Saturday Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM

08 8553 7383

ACCOMMODATION

Penneshaw Hotel

North Terrace

08 8553 1042

YHA/BACKPACKERS

Kangaroo Island YHA

33 Middle Terrace

08 8553 1344

Penneshaw Backpackers Hostel

08 8553 1042

CLUBS

Penneshaw Golf Club

The Lane

Tennis Courts

Middle Terrace

WINERIES

Sunset winery

Hog Bay Road, 6 km from Penneshaw

08 8553 1378

Dudley Wines

corner of Thomas Wilson St and North Terrace

08 8553 1333

PROSPECT HILL  5201

Prospect Hill Museum

SEAL BAY

Seal Bay Visitor Centre

Seal Bay Conservation Park

South Coast Road

08 8559 4207

SNELLINGS BEACH

STOKES BAY

Stokes Bay Bush Garden

Stokes Bay Road

08 8559 2244

Rare Breeds Farm

North Coast Road, West of Stokes Bay

08 8559 2115

Paul's Place

Wildlife Sanctuary

Stokes Bay Road

opening times are seasonal and limited

08 8559 2232

Waves and Wildlife Cottages

08 8559 2232

VIVONNE BAY

Raptor Domain-Vivonne Bay Eco Adventures

Knofel Drive, off the South Coast Road

08 8202 8612

Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action

Jetty Road

08 8559 4296

Little Sahara

Off the South Coast Road

Rustic Blue Gallery

South Coast Road

08 8559 7371