Explore the Dudley Peninsula, Kangaroo Island

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Formerly an island in its own right, the eastern 'head' of KI has a character all of its own. A lot of that's down to the distinctive vegetation, especially the wonderful stands of narrow-leaf mallee, a eucalypt species found almost exclusively on KI. The peninsula's parks, beaches and coastal scenery are the equal of any on the island. Best of all, there is some great unheralded bushwalking and very peaceful hideaways to explore.

Penneshaw

KI’s second largest town and the main gateway port. The original settlement was around the enclosed anchorage of Christmas Cove – now home to a modern small-boat marina. After construction began in 1903 of a jetty in Hog Bay, the centre of town gravitated east to its current location. The town beach and nearby Baudin Conservation Park make Penneshaw an attractive holiday spot and it’s well-known for its resident colony of Little Penguins. As well as having some of the island’s best regarded eateries, it also hosts a monthly farmer’s market and the annual Easter Art Exhibition.

Antechamber Bay

One of the island’s most beautiful beaches – three pristine kilometres of golden sand flanked by Lashmar Conservation Park. It’s an excellent swimming and fishing location with views across Backstairs Passage to the mainland.

Chapman River & Lashmar Lagoon

After winter rains this peaceful estuary behind Antechamber Bay becomes a brimming wetland. A haven for native water birds, its groves of melaleucas have great sheltered bird watching and picnic locations.

Photos. Top: Antechamber Bay, Right: Lashmar Lagoon. Below: The Devil's Kitchen, Cape Willoughby Lighthouse. Bottom: Penington Bay

Cape Willoughby

Home to South Australia’s first lighthouse, built in 1852. It’s construction was thanks largely to the urging of Charles Sturt, the colonial secretary and famed former inland explorer. Built from massive blocks of locally quarried granite the lighthouse stands 25m tall. While it might have lost its original lantern room, it’s still an imposing and historic structure.

Leseur Conservation Park

Formerly the Cape Hart Conservation Park, this 1100 hectare park was re-named in 2002 to honour Charles-Alexandre Lesueur the artist with the 1802 Baudin expedition. It protects significant plant communities – including rare species – and a magnificent coastline of granite crags and wave-cut platforms.

Island Beach

The long sweep of coast taking in Baudin and Island Beach is a popular holiday haunt. A great stretch for swimming, fishing and boating, its coastal scrub is now dotted with some of the island’s most dapper waterfront homes.

Pennington Bay

One of the most accessible of the south coast's dramatic beaches. Popular for surf fishing and sightseeing - in a big sourtherly gale the surf is impressive. It's as wild and windswept as nearby Pelican Lagoon can be calm and protected.

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