Wild Islands & Walks of South Australia | Adelaide - Adelaide | 10 Nights

Board Coral Adventurer at 4:00pm and depart Adelaide at 5:00 pm, en route to Kangaroo Island. Settle into your cabin before the Captain’s Welcome Drinks at sunset.

Today we arrive at Yorke Peninsula’s Troubridge Island, where we will swim, kayak and stroll along the white sandy beaches.

Troubridge Island is part of Troubridge Shoals which extend across to York Peninsula and constitutes a hazard to shipping. Troubridge Shoals has been the cause of over 33 wrecks and groundings.  The islands Conservation Park is an important breeding area for birds and is home to a large colony of little penguins, black-faced cormorants, and crested terns – an ideal environment for bird enthusiasts.

Visit the site of an operating lighthouse from 1856 until 2002 – the second lighthouse to be built in South Australia. Despite earthquake, fire and constant erosion of this island that continually moves and reshapes itself, the Troubridge Island Lighthouse has survived this far. As the erosion continues to eat towards the foundations of the tower, it is very much under threat.

*Select Voyages Only – 22 November 2021, 2 December 2021, 13 December 2021, 23 January 2022 & 6 November 2022 departures

Learn more about Troubridge Island >

Antechamber Bay, located on the north coast of the Dudley Peninsula, is one of Kangaroo Island’s finest coastal havens.

At the other end of the bay, Cape Willoughby juts into the ‘Backstairs Passage’ – the narrow strait between Kangaroo Island and the Fleurieu Peninsula that was named by Matthew Flinders as the ‘private entrance’ to the two gulfs.  Lighting this 14km wide strait is the Cape Willoughby Light Station. We may spend time hiking the bold rocky headland to the Lighthouse, circled by crashing waves, and also tour the Lighthouse Keeper’s cottage.

Walks:

> Cape Willoughby Light Station Heritage hike (1 Hour Return, 1.9km, Moderate)
A hike into the sheltered gully of the original light station settlement. An insight into how the early light keepers lived, with demanding routine and isolation heightened by the distance between their homes and the light house. Visit the Cape Willoughby Lighthouse (Sturt Light), the first lighthouse in South Australia.

> Antechamber Bay Walk – (1 Hour Return, 4.2km One Way, Easy-Moderate)

> Cape Willoughby Windmill Bay Walk (1 Hour Return, 1.5km one way, Easy)

> Lashmar Conservation Park Kangaroo Island (1 Hour Return, 1km, Easy-Moderate)

Learn more about Antechamber Bay & Cape Willoughby >

Go ashore at American River, named after American sealers who were here as early as 1803, on the north coast of Kangaroo Island. Here, enjoy relaxing beach swimming, and coastal walks through the beautiful forested environs. Later, discover the fascinating sealing and whaling past of the schooner Independence, the first vessel constructed in South Australia, which is being restored.

*Select Voyages Only – 13 December 2021, 23 December 2021, 3 January 2022 & 13 January 2022 departures.

Walks:

> American River Independence Trail (1.5 Hour Return, 3.6km, Easy)
The independence trail begins at the boot camp, near the wharf in American River and follows the coast along the edge of the Port of Pelicans lagoon.

> Beach, Birds and Bush (Fish Cannery Walking Trail) Kangaroo Island (1.5 Hour Return, 4km, Moderate)
A trail through the scrub to the ruins of a fish cannery built in the late 1890s. An easy, meandering walk through the bush, with birds in abundance and native shrubs and orchids flowering in season. At the end of the trail the remains of a fish cannery can be seen.

Today, land at isolated Western River Cove to visit the beautiful historic homestead, and observe the effects of the recent bushfires and subsequent recovery. There may be an opportunity to meet the homestead owners and hear their stories. A walk along the ridge reveals spectacular views of the valley, and the beach offers excellent swimming. Weather permitting, visit beautiful Kangaroo Beach. Later, cruise past the sea cliffs at Cape Borda for wonderful views.

Learn more about Western River Cove >

Bordered by sea and National Parks, Coffin Bay is a stunning destination. The pristine waters of the bays in this area are home to numerous pods of dolphins, sea lions, seals and many seabirds. Emus and kangaroos roam and the natural beauty of the turquoise sea, white sand dunes, and bright blue sky is a wonderful backdrop to our day’s adventures.

Here we will hike through the Coffin Bay National Park to get an understanding of the forests and environment – enjoy the interpretation of the heathlands, mallee forest and she-oak woodlands. Discover the tranquil bays, protected from the might of the Southern Ocean, and snorkel or kayak with the chance to spot some of the marine life.

There is also the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable wild cuisine experience – hop into some waterproof waders and take a seat at the Saltwater Pavilion to shuck and taste your own delicious Coffin Bay Oysters. Some voyages will instead include a small boat cruise along the oyster beds to collect and enjoy them fresh from the sea.

Learn more about Coffin Bay >

Walks:

> Oyster Walk (30min – 1.5 Hours depending on option chosen, Old Oyster Town Walk 2.2km, Foreshore Walk 5.5km, Easy)
The Oyster Walk is a walking trail that follows the forehouse along the town of Coffin Bay. The trail can be done in sections. The Old Oyster Town in Kellidie Conservation Park is 2.2km one way from the park entrance. The section along the foreshore is about 5.5.km long.

Located around 35kms from the Eyre Peninsula Coast, Flinders Island has a long history of sealing, whaling, and farming. Owned by the Woolford family since 1979, they run an established sheep farm, abalone harvesting business and are working to establish a Safe Haven for vulnerable native species. Meet the Woolford family to learn about the history and conservation projects on the island.
Visit the Kapara shipwreck at Bryant’s Bay, and stroll through the shearing sheds at the farm. Taste fresh abalone at Eyrewoolf Abalone.

Learn more About Flinders Island >

Walks:

> Western River Cove Walk to Viewpoint (1 Hour, 2km Return, Moderate/Steep)
A walk from the beach to the nearby historic Western River Homestead and the river valley beyond. While the beautiful homestead survived, the whole valley was heavily impacted by last summer’s fires, with opportunity to look at the effects of these fires and the bushland recovery since.

> Flinders Island Shearing Shed Walk (45mins, 1.3km Return, Easy)

> Bryant’s Bay & Kapara
1. Sealing Ruins Walk (15mins, 500m, Easy)
2. Kapara Boiler Walk (10mins, 500m, Moderate/Rocky-Sandy)
3. Sheok Forrest Walk (30mins, 1.5km, Moderate)
4. Cliff Walk (30mins, 1.5km, Hard/Rocky Climb-Walk)

A headland at the most northerly part of the Jussieu Peninsula on the east coast of Eyre Peninsula, Cape Donington is a great spot to enjoy refreshing sea views and rocky coastline. Take a dip at Cape Donington Beach before heading along the 2km trail over to September Beach. Keep an eye out for western grey kangaroos, emus or goannas near the Cape Donington lighthouse, or head out to the rocks in the hope of seeing some long-nosed fur seals or Australian sea lions.

Walks:

> Donington Loop Hike – Lincoln National Park (2 Hour Return, 6.2km Circuit, Moderate)
Admire offshore islands, granite outcrops and sandy beaches as you explore the Donington Peninsula. Populations of Australian Sea Lions and New Zealand Fur-seals inhabit Donington Island near the lighthouse.

> Walk Donington September Beach (1 Hour Return, 2km, Easy)
A short, easy hike with refreshing sea views and rocky coastlines.

> Stamford Hill Hike (1.5 Hour Return, 4km, Hard/Steep and Irregular surface)
Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Lincoln National Park, Boston Bay and numerous offshore islands from the historic Flinders Monument at the top of Stamford Hill. A reasonably challenging hike, this trail has some moderate inclines but has a good trail surface.

Learn more about Cape Donington & Stamford Hill > 

At Tumby Bay, visit the most southern mangrove in Australia in pristine location, home to a huge variety of birdlife such as Osprey, Sea Eagles , Black Swan , Blue Crane, Cape Barren Geese and many more. Have the opportunity to learn about the Bush Tucker along the way during the walk

Head to Reevesby Island, part of the Sir Joseph Banks Group; an archipelago on the eastern coast of the Eyre Peninsula. Accessible only by boat, this island is one of the largest of the group. Women played a major role in the island’s history, especially in the early days leading up to the Great Depression. Take a hike around this important seabird breeding site and visit the homestead and machinery sheds. This beautiful chain of islands offers a range of sheltered bays, golden sand beaches and reefs teeming with marine life.

Learn more about Tumby Bay & Reevesby Island >

Walks:

> The Mangrove, Bush Tucker and Scenic Coastal ‘Loop Walk’ (2 Hour Return, 2.5km, Easy)

> The Mangrove & 2nd Creek Estuary Walk (2.5 Hour Return, Mangrove Walk 1.4km / Estuary Walk 1.4km, Easy)

> The Scenic Foreshore & Historic Jetty (1.5-2 Hour Return, 2.6km [or 3.3km if Jetty Walk inc.], Easy)

> Street Art Walk (1 Hour, 1.5km Return, Easy)

The northern coastline of Kangaroo Island is a place where feelings of space and freedom fill the senses. Surrounded by the tallest cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere, today we snorkel in the clear turquoise waters of Kangaroo Island’s best loved beaches. Stroll onto the beach looking for penguins, dolphin pods and seals as we beachcomb along the way finding treasures and keepsakes.

Meet hosts Sophie and Eliza at Emu Bay Lavender Farm. Experience the fields while in full bloom, with a chance to taste lavender scones and purchase lavender products.

*Select Voyages Only – 23 December 2021, 3 January 2022, 13 January 2022, 23 January 2022 and 6 November departures.

This morning we arrive into Adelaide at 7:30am for an 8:30am disembarkation.