Kangaroo Island Things to Do

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The Bullock track also took me up the hill to the home of Harry Bate's Cottage. Harry Bates was born in 1846. He came to Adelaide with his family aboard the ship "Melbourne," on which at the age of 12years, was given the job of a Cabin boy. The family moved permanently to Kangaroo Island in 1860. Harry worked for his father on this land, then in 1866 he married and later on had a defacto relationship.
The property remained in the Bates family until 1985, when the last member of the family died without leaving a will. It was then purchased by the Government and became the Baudin Conservation Park.

Ruins of the Cottage, an interpretive sign and beautiful views are what is here.

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The Baudin Conservation Park is located near Penneshaw. We could drive our car to the park entrance, from there the Ironstone Hill Hike began. At the entrance is a map and details about the hike, which was described as moderate one of 4kms, to allow 3 hours.
It is hilly, so you will need some level of fitness.

This Conservation park was a family farm from 1861 to 2001. Heading along the
original bullock track, it was uphill going to see the old farm implements and ruins, and the heritage listed 'threshing floor.' This floor was used to thresh grain until 1905. It is believed this method was used even though machinery was available at the time, because the wooden log roller was gentler on the Barley grain. The roller was anchored in the centre and drawn around and over the crop by a Horse or Bullock harnessed to its outside end.
This resulted in Kangaroo Island hand graded Barley frequently winning Show awards for the best Barley.

The Park is open 7 days a week

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Still travelling on the dirt road to Cape Willoughby, we come over a rise on the road, and there before us was the Lighthouse and cottages!
Cape Willoughby was the first lighthouse to be erected in South Australia, and lights the Backstairs Passage between Kangaroo Island and the mainland. Although the lighthouse was meant to prevent Shipwrecks, still a number of ships sank off the coastline, the remnants of which can still be found in the area. I saw a notice that this area is part of the Kangaroo Island Shipwreck trail.

I didn't do a guided tour of the Lightstation, but you can and find out more about the early role of coastal shipping, colonial trading and passenger transport. The tour takes you to the top of the Lighthouse where in season, Whales can be seen.
Cape Willoughby park visitor centre has a museum with a collection of old photo's, as well as equipment that was once used at the site
The heritage-listed lightkeepers' cottages are available to rent.

I don't know if I had seen too much good scenery before coming here or what, but I was a little disappointed.

Cape Willoughby Conservation Park Visitor Centre is open 9am-3.30pm daily (except Christmas Day). 7days a week
Fees apply for the park.

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The road to Cape Willoughby was a dirt road that was in good condition. The scenery along the way was of rolling green hills and farmland. After coming out from the road to Lashmar National park, we came to another pretty area, right beside the road. This still could have been part of the National Park. Water was here, whether it was part of the Chapman river, I don't know, but I do know it was pretty, especially as the ground surrounding it was covered with bright pink weed.
This was in the month of May.

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I went walking and came out on a long sandy deserted beach known as Antechamber Bay in the Lashmar Conservation Park.
I had walked from where the Chapman River flowed, so I walked along the Beach until I found the estuary of the River. The River is good for canoeing along, but in the month of May, the water wasn't running into the sea at Antechamber Bay. In this area, was a pretty Lagoon where Black Swans and Pelicans were. I walked alongside the water which was so clear and calm, that I could see Fish swimming around. What a picturesque park, an ideal location for swimming, fishing and bird watching and it's just a short drive from Cape Willoughby lightstation and Penneshaw.

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Heading along the road to Cape Willoughby, we saw a brown tourist sign to Lashmar Conservation Park.
Turning into the dirt road, we followed it, finding out that it was a "no through road" We saw a person camping, other than that, it was deserted, we had the area to ourselves. Plenty of parking, picnic shelters, toilets amongst the Trees, and camping amongst the bush.
It was a very pretty area. So quiet and peaceful, with the lovely Chapman river passing by on its way to the Sea. Canoeing and Kayaking can be enjoyed on the river.

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This is another walking trail at Penneshaw of 3km which takes 1 - 2 hours. It is an easy walk which begins at the Information centre at Penneshaw which is in the old town. Along the walk, Interpretive signs tell of the history of the area.
"Fireball" Bates is known so because he had fiery red hair. You can read the story about him on my first photo.
The walk takes you around the pretty Christmas cove Boat harbour, and then past the Hotel and along North Terrace which fronts the Ocean. Along here, is Norfolk Island Pines, lawn and picnic area, Penguin rookery and wonderful seaside views. It then returns on the next parrellel road, Middle Terrace, which leads back to the Information centre. Altogether there are 22 points of interest on the walk.
If you want to remember what you have seen, do like I did, and buy the book "Penneshaw walks" from the Information centre, it cost $4.50.

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As we made our way around Penneshaw, we noticed the local council had built nice limestone brick walls and added sculptures to the brickwork. It looked great!
The entrance way to the Penneshaw oval had a sculptured Eagle on the wall. The Penneshaw Caravan Park had a group of Penguins and the local community kindergarten centre some Cockatoo's.