Wednesday 9 February

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Our last day on the island. Just a quiet day pootling around the east of the island. No, we did not visit Dudley Wines. Though we did pass the turning to the cellar door! Sorry to disappoint, but we haven't really "done" all the touristy things.

Our day started with a quick stop in to Brown Beach. Only a short distance off the main road, through a campsite. What a great place to stay. Not as much beach to walk on as at Emu Bay, but a good start to get the muscles and joints ready for the next challenge. Prospect Hill! A cooler morning, thankfully, to assault the 400+ steps to the top. Worth the climb. I was gratified much younger climbers struggled 🤣 



Brown Beach

It was likely windy at the top - time to adjust the hat

The newly opened stairway to the top is behind Ian

As I said - worth the climb

Looking down on Pelican Lagoon and across to American River

On to American River. Vaunted as a place to stay, I found it rather a sorry small settlement. Glad I didn't follow the hype. Some late showers did not interrupt our day. We watched a front coming across, but it basically missed where we were. 

Royal Ibis - so much more lovely in their natural environment than what we call "bin chickens" in the city



I love Oyster Catchers. So vibrant

An immature Pacific Gull I'm guessing



Leaving American River, we caught up with the reason for the name, connected to The Independence, an American tall ship built in SA. 

Standing on the corner of the road into American River

Our afternoon was spent driving the long unsealed road out to Cape Willoughby lighthouse. A long drive, yes, but worth it. The lighthouse was officially opened as the first lighthouse in South Australia in 1852. It was manned 24 hours a day. It was officially unmanned (fully automated) in 1992. It was built to assist navigation through the Backstairs Passage, the straight between the mainland and Kangaroo Island. The island has had dozens of shipwrecks, particularly around the Western end of the island near Admiral's Arch. These days all the lighthouses on the island are fully automated. At Cape Willoughby you can rent the lighthouse keepers cottages.

Cape Willoughby Lighthouse

Several large male kangaroos were lounging at different points near the lighthouse



There is a  self guided walk you can take down to the beach.




Back in Penneshaw, we found the Frenchman's Rock, where Matthew Flinders met with Nicolas Baudin in 1802 and exchanged navigational information. Despite being at war with France, the exchange was cordial. As a result of their meeting, many of the names of places on the north side of the island are French as it was charted by the French. This information was shared with Matthew Flinders who subsequently named this place Encounter Bay.

A well was built here too as a source of fresh water

The dome protects the actual inscribed rock by Nicolas Baudin and Matthew Flinders

Lastly, we walked through some of the lovely paths which comprise the Sculpture Trail. 






All in all a super stay. Glad we planned well so we could see so much. Tomorrow we are back on the Mainland staying in the Adelaide Hills for three nights.

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