Wild Islands of South Australia Small-Ship Expedition Cruise

Arrive at Adelaide: Outer Harbour (Berth 1) for boarding at 4:00pm, with time to settle into your stateroom before our 5:00pm departure. Settle into your cabin and familiarise yourself with the ship before your first delicious dinner as we cruise towards Kangaroo Island.

Kangaroo island is Australia’s third largest and was once part of the Australian mainland before rising see levels separated it some 10,000 years ago. Also known as Karta Pintingga, or ‘Island of the Dead’ in the local indigenous language, the island was later named Kangaroo Island by British explorer Matthew Flinders in 1802.
Today enjoy a truly unforgettable wildlife experience at Seal Bay. After traversing the scenic interior of Kangaroo Island by coach from American River, we will visit the heart of the third largest colony of endangered Australian Sea lion, and share the beach with these magnificent animals. This is the only place in the world you can see Aus­tralian sea lions at close quar­ters and walk on a beach where pups frolic, bulls battle for suprema­cy and rest­ing moth­ers suck­le their young.

The Yorke Peninsula is fringed by over 700 kilometres of pristine coastline. Known for rugged beaches boasting spectacular views over the Investigator Strait and Spencer Gulf, its shoreline is studded with a number of shipwrecks. Here we will visit Dhilba-Guuranda (Innes) National Park, where emus, kangaroos and tammar wallabies are commonly spotted, as are dolphins, seals and whales in its adjacent waters. Depending on the prevailing wind and swell, we will land at Dolphin Beach and walk to the Royston Head lookout, or come ashore at Little Emu Beach in the southeast and walk to the post-card perfect Stenhouse Bay Jetty.

Today we explore Boston Island, which lies between Port Lincoln and Cape Donington. Roughly 6km long, Boston Island is very hilly and has four beautiful beaches. Within the island landmass there is about 2,500 acres of grassy, hilly slopes with many sheep. Given its sheltered coastal aspect there is much birdlife on the island with Sea Eagles, Cape Barren Geese, Wedge Tailed Eagles and some 40 or so other species that make the island their home.

Explore this important seabird breeding area, with walks along golden sand beaches and learn of the history of this island.

Known as the seafood capital of Australia, Port Lincoln is a small coastal city situated on Boston Bay, one of the largest protected natural harbours in the world. The traditional home to the Barngarla people, Matthew Flinders came to the area in 1802 and named it Port Lincoln.
Today we will learn about Port Lincoln’s maritime history at the Axel Stenross Museum, and sample some of the region’s fresh seafood paired with wines at a local vineyard.

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.

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. The natural beauty of the turquoise sea, white sand dunes, and bright blue sky is a wonderful backdrop to our day’s adventures.

Enjoy an unforgettable wild cuisine experience during a small boat cruise along the oyster beds to collect and enjoy them fresh from the sea. Later, walk through the Coffin Bay National Park at Point Sir Isaac to get an understanding of the forests and environment – enjoy the interpretation of the heathlands, mallee forest and she-oak woodlands.

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 Donington Island to view long-nosed fur seals or Australian sea lions from the Xplorer.

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.

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 will visit the Lighthouse keeper’s cottage and learn of it’s interesting stories and have opportunity to climb the light house itself. In the grounds, we will do a loop walk from the Lighthouse to the beautiful Smuggler’s Cove and often Kangaroo Island wallabies are spotted along the way.

This morning we arrive into Adelaide for an 8:00am disembarkation. Complimentary post-cruise transfers to the airport or CBD will be available. These will be organised onboard with the purser.