Thurs, 17th Mar, 2016 Stokes Bay Campground, Kangaroo Island, SA (sightseeing the bays)

8am 25 degrees in the van as we had closed it up last night because the breeze was cold. Need to open it all up now as it is quickly warming up. Made lunch as we are going sightseeing so gave the scraps to the wallaby. He grabbed the banana peel first.

Onto the North Coast Road (dirt) and past the Rare Breeds Farm which was closed. It is a conservation project for extremely rare, unusual and ancient breeds of domesticated farm animals like the KI Baudin Pig (left by Nicolas Baudin), Drysdale Sheep, 4 horned sheep and Nadudana/miniature Zebu Cattle (small cattle under 100cm in height).

Turned off and headed down the hill to King George Beach. Lovely small beach.

Very exclusive beach as there are only two beach houses here.

Someone had a nice feed of crayfish.

Climbed over the rocks to check out the next bay but it was all rocky with just a little sandy area.

Up the hill then up and down more hills as we headed to Snelling Beach.

Crossed over dry Middle River (on the map it says there is a dam upstream).

Further down though was more water but probably brackish water from the sea.

Down to the beach. Top beach shack right on the beach.

Drove onto the beach. Nice wide white beach.

Chatted with the lady under the awning. They are staying at Snelling Beach House way up the top of the hill with a fabulous view.

Looks like he left his tractor on the beach too long!!

Climbed up Constitution Hill with great views back over Snelling Beach – like they have from the Beach House.

Looking down on Middle River.

View over the hills to Cape Dutton.

Passed a big pine plantation as we started the steep winding descent to head down to Western River Cove to another campground – not recommended for caravans. Low trees too.

We are at about 100m elevation. Could just make out the mainland in the distance and an island.

Looking down over Western River Cove.

Yes it was a steep road down then a sharp turn right beside the river.

Parked the truck up beside the small campground area which was full of kids on a scuba diving camp. Walked down to the bridge and over then along the river to the beach.

Scanned around.

Lovely spot.

Continued over the rocks to the next bay which was all rocks.

Back to the beach – great sand dune for the kids to slide down.

Rick and Leanne headed off as they were going to the Marron Farm for lunch. We headed back up the hill to have lunch at Snelling Beach. Got some photos going up the road back to the camp area.

Unusual tree.

Stopped at the lookout area for more photos of the Snelling Beach area.

Drove down to the end of the beach area to have lunch and have a fish.

No fish so Steve went exploring and found a cave with its own beach in between all the rocks.

Steve had his torch to peer further in. Another hole continues on at the back of the cave but we weren’t going in any further.

Looking back out to the water.

Back outside.

Climbed back over the sharp rocks to the beach. Looks like another creek should come out here.

Back along the beach we stopped to chat with a couple of men who were catching fish. Only mullet but they love it and they were doing well using roo meat and bread.

Climbed up the hill on Range Road to 233m – great view even though the clouds have come over.

Missed getting a photo of a big eagle. A nice round Yacca Tree.

Another eagle flew across the road in front of us. Back onto Stokes Bay Road which is long and straight and goes up and down the hills.

Out onto Playford Road to head to Parndana to check out the Museum. Leanne & Rick came up behind us after they finished their lunch. Stopped at the Museum but it had closed early so didn’t get to see inside. It is about the Soldier Settlement here after World War 2. There were 174 soldier settlers and their families were allocated 1200 acres with boundary fencing, two dams, a small house and implement shed, and were required to clear and develop 800 acres for pasture. The cost of the house, shed and fencing had to be paid back over 30 years.

Back to the vans for a cuppa. A couple with a little girl put up their camp and Steve heard the girl say she was bored so he headed off to find the koala as he had moved from the tree behind the toilets (got too much attention there). We all followed Steve’s koala tours and he had found two. Boy he doesn’t look comfortable.

Amazing trees.

The other koala looks a bit more comfortable.

Went back to the beach for a fish but the fish are not co-operating. Clouds coming over and it was getting windier. Happy hour and chatting till it got too cool to stay outside.

The wind has picked up and got very strong with big gusts then a sprinkle of rain.

Went to bed listening to the wind howling and hoping the awning hangs in there.