2 Geckos Travelling Australia: Mon, 21st Mar, 2016 Emu Bay Campground to American River Campground, Kangaroo Island, SA (sightseeing)

16 degrees with a clear sky and no wind. Heater on early this morning. On the weather it said it was 6 degrees early this morning in Kingscote so no wonder we are cold.

Went down to the jetty to try out our squid jigs as the sea was calm and clear which the squid as supposed to prefer. Unfortunately no one told the squid. Saw a sting ray swim by though.

Had a cuppa in the sunshine then packed up to do the big drive (35km) to American River, which is neither a river or American. American sealers arrived there and thought it was a river, hence the name. They made a ship while there were here called the ‘Independence’.

All the animals are good friends around here sharing their grass.

Down to the water and the Council campground. Very nice.

The tide is out at the moment. The inlet (river) goes a long way to the south.

As the sun is out and the sky was reasonably clear we headed off to check out the lookout on top of Prospect Hill which is down on the neck between the large part of the island and Dudley Peninsula.

First stop though was Muston Lookout above American River.

Prospect Hill in the distance.

Unfortunately the trees have grown up so I climbed up on the posts with the boys holding me so I could get some good photos. Leanne got the rear end shot!!

Nice straight bit of road.

Now for some exercise, 512 steps up Prospect Hill which was originally called Mount Thisby. Matthew Flinders climbed it in 1802 with no steps so we shouldn’t complain.

Not nicely spaced either, some wide apart, others very close together and some covered in sand. A few more stairs.

Time for a rest to enjoy the view.

Up to the top for a 360 degree view over American River, across the neck then Pennington Bay, west over the farm land then north again.

Zoomed in on the entrance to American River inlet.

Apparently that is Mount Lofty over there behind the hills.

Looks like there is a fire in the distance to the west.

Back down again.

Drove down to Pennington Bay – lovely, certainly helps that it is a beautiful day. A couple of surfers are enjoying the waves.

Further down to the stairs was so lovely artwork by local students.

Steve found a golf ball so now we have one to go with our two golf clubs as we play our way across the Nullabor!! View from the middle of the beach.

The water is so clear – I reckon this is a better beach then Vivonne Bay.

The beaches are divided by rocky outcrops.

Leanne heading down to the beach.

A few blue bottles on the beach.

Someone has a top beach house location with a fantastic view.

Next stop was Flour Cask Bay. Passed an old sign about a Gypsum company.

Up and over the sand dunes.

Another top view of Flour Cask Bay from the top of the cliff.

Across to D’Estrees Bay and Point Tinline.

An eagle soaring overhead.

Some goanna tracks.

Back to the car – overlooking a large salt lake where salt was mined in the 1800s. There was a train from here back to Muston (near American River) so they could get the salt onto the ships. It was and still is the only railway on Kangaroo Island.

Zoomed in.

Stopped at the entrance to American River to check out the ‘Independence’ – first ship built in South Australia in 1803. It was a support ship for their brig, ‘Union’. Interesting note on the board it says this area was originally called Union Bay.

At the turnoff to our campground was Pelican Pete.

Through the village of American River and along Flea Castle Road – wonder how it got that name - out to the northern side to Red Banks. Farmer is losing his land.

Walked out to the edge of the cliff for a fantastic view. Left to Western Cove .

Zoomed in on the oyster farm in the Cove.

Right towards Point Morrison.

Across Nepean Bay to Kingscote.

Don’t do it Steve!!

Rick stirred up the ants nest. Nasty bitey ones too.

I walked out onto the point with Steve – no insurance policies now so no point pushing me off!!

Steve had found a path down to the beach.

Beautiful colours.

Back up again along the lovely tree lined road.

Stopped for a sheep’s view over the bay.

Turned off towards Point Morrison – this is probably what the scrub looked like originally.

Unfortunately we came to another private property to couldn’t get to the point. Looking across to mainland on left and Kangaroo Head on the right.

Back to camp - tide’s in. The swans are out and about.

Headed down to the jetty to try our luck. The sun is out but the wind feels like it is straight from Antarctica.

Strawbridge Point.

History trail information.

I heard a noise below me and there was a seal rolling around. I grabbed the camera and followed him down to the other end of the jetty. Got him head down, flipper up!!

Then over the shallows came a fin – the music played the Jaws theme – then up comes a dolphin – all good!

Went back to trying to catch something then Mr Seal came back – gave up fishing and watched him scratch his back. No wonder we aren’t getting any fish.