Kangaroo Island

Part Three – Western KI

My last post was longer than normal, so to balance, this’ll be a short one. We stayed at the Western KI Caravan Park for three nights, there are kangaroos, birds, koalas, and a lovely lagoon there. Overall there was a really nice feel to the place. But, more importantly, there was potable water. So we topped up our tanks and did a heap of washing.

We spent most of our time there just enjoying the ambience, the lagoon was especially lovely.

Even though Western KI is a good kick-off point for Seal Bay, and Flinders Chase NP, we had already visited those from Vivonne Bay. However, we did do a couple of daytrips; Cape Borda and Parndana. We’d been to the latter before (to use the dump point) but this time we went to have lunch in the pub. It was Thursday, we arrived at around one thirty, but the pub was closed. Apart from the pub, a small grocers and bakery, there’s nothing at Parndana. It’s a shame really as it’s slap-dab in the middle of the island and would be an excellent base camp. But it is just…lacking – as are any photos. 🙂

Cape Borda, on the other hand, is most definitely not lacking. Tucked away in the north western corner of KI, the road there is, hmm, let’s say ‘rugged’, perhaps that’s why, apart from a few kangaroos, we had the place to ourselves, but it is well worth the bumps. We had a good look around the Lighthouse and other buildings and once again, enjoyed the beautiful coastline. This is a really well preserved heritage lighthouse, and it’s short, squat and square – different.

And that’s it. Told you it’d be short. From here we’re heading south to Stokes Bay, which has been voted Australia’s most beautiful beach. I’ll let you know.

Actually, before I go, people have been asking about the fires that raged through the island in the back end of 2019 and beginning of 2020, and what impact they’ve had. I took this information from the tourkangarooisland.com.au website, I hope it answers some of your questions.

“During a scorching summer unusual for the regular Kangaroo Island weather pattern, lightning strikes ignited fires first on the north and north-eastern coasts of the island on 20 December 2019, then in Flinders Chase National Park ten days later.

Over several weeks, the Kangaroo Island fires burned 211,474 hectares of land, almost half of the island. It is unknown how many of the island’s wild animals perished, along with the estimated 32,000 head of stock and domestic animals that died. The widespread fires also damaged or destroyed homes, businesses—including some tourism venues—grazing land, forests, crops, machinery, and infrastructure, and two people tragically lost their lives.”

tourkangarooisland.com.au

But the island is recovering well. New growth can be seen everywhere you look; on trees, shrubs, and grasses and the wildlife is slowly starting to recover.

Ok, so this post wasn’t as short as it could have been, but I’m done now, next stop Australia’s most beautiful beach.

See you out there somewhere

On tow and on the go!