Comments on: Day 306, Thursday, 19.11.2009

By: Mark Deuter

Mark Deuter — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:42:16 +0000

Thanks Brad, I bow to superior experience re Althorpe, etc. It’s a tricky bit of coastline to negotiate, all prior knowledge is helpful.
Cheers Mark.

By: Aileen

Aileen — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:40:31 +0000

Hi,
Can you please advise your arrival date at Port Lincoln and where you will be landing?
Thanks and we hope to see you there.

By: Mike Snoad

Mike Snoad — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:25:05 +0000

Hi Freya and Hi Brad.

I can confirm much of what Brad says above.

Hope our paths
cross again.
Cheers mike

By: Brad Butler

Brad Butler — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:55:59 +0000

Hi Freya,
It seems you are getting a lot of contradictory information about the Port Lincoln to Victor Harbor leg of your journey. I do not want to disparage anyones previous comments but I am a regular expedition sea kayaker that lives in Victor Harbor. I have paddled to Althorpe Island several times and have paddled the north shore of Kangaroo Island several times as well.
Anyway, I have also paddled from Port lincoln to Cape Jervis. We took an Island jumping path – to Thistle island on to Wedge Island then Pondalowie Bay and then direct to Snellings Beach. We then picked our way along the North shore of KI before paddling direct from Kingscote to Cape Jervis.
There are of course other ways to do it. If I was doing it again I would go Wedge to Althorpe direct and then Althorpe to Stokes Bay.
Because there is good quality water at each point we carried 4L on board for each leg plus drinking water for the day.
On Thistle island there is a beautiful protected bay and the yachties have built a shelter near the beach that was a rain water tank attached. It also has chairs and a table.
On Wedge Island there are only a few shacks and there are rarely people there. There are rain water tanks on all the buildings. One of the shacks is owned by a friend and has an outside solar powered shower. (Greatly appreciated by me).
At Pondalowie Bay there is a campsite that is a bit of a walk but it obviously has rudamentary facilities for surfers including showers and water.
On Althorpe there is a good beach (for kayakers). Honestly you will see it and think “simple” especially compared to some of your other landings it is easy. The beach faces North and is protected from almost all Southerlies.
I understand the jetty at Althorpe has been condemned and the walk to the top has supposedly been closed but my experience is that the Jetty is in ok shape as long as you don’t want to tie a 50ft fishing boat up to it.
The path to the top is not immediately obvious but once you are on the path each section is clear and again compared to what you have experienced on the trip it is not a big deal.
PS – You gain 90m in elevation going to the top. So don’t leave the matches in the kayak. Ha Ha
At the top of Althorpe Island there are 3 cottages and a lighthouse. One of the cottages is in pretty good condition. Only problem we had out there last time was 350 mouse running around.
There is a lovely rhubarb patch next to the house if you like rubarb and apple crumble.
I understand that government departments have completed reports on Althorpe Island discouraging access but honestly for a paddler it is quite accessible and provides an ooportune break in the crossing to Kangaroo Island.
It is a good paddle to Kangaroo Island and depending on where you land you will find good water.
There is water available on the north Coast of KI at Snug cove, Western River cove, Snellings beach, Stokes bay and Emu Bay.
The north shore of KI is a yachties paradise and just lovely paddling. There are shacks and houses scattered along the coast and noone will deny a paddler a little bit of water.
At Kingscote you can get a good feed and a shower then either paddle via Penneshaw or direct to Cape Jervis.
I am keeping an eye on your progress through your next ten days and hope to paddle with you at some stage.

By: Bill and Jill Wray

Bill and Jill Wray — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:07:19 +0000

Yes, Freya, I endorse Mark’s comments above . I was there in March this year. The beach is only accessable at low tide. The jetty is derelict and there is no water and you cannot access the upper plateau without a helicopter! Cable Hut Beach is good, but no water. I can bring water out to Cape Spencer if conditions allow, or meet you at Cable Hut Beach, which is nice camping.
Good luck, Bill Wray

By: uwe franck

uwe franck — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:49:19 +0000

jetzt schön gesund bleiben, und schöööön vorsichtig.
wir drücken die daumen gruss uwe

By: Mark Deuter

Mark Deuter — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:53:48 +0000

Hi Freya, just a thought on Althorpe Island. I have heard that the only possible landing site on the Island is a very tiny beach that can only be accessed at low tide – it disappears at high tide – and there are big cliffs close behind it. Judging from what I see on Google Earth that looks right. It may not be a good choice for camping overnight with a loaded boat even though it is 10km closer to Kangaroo Island. Cable Hut Beach on the mainland would be a more reliable camp site I think. Anyone else with Althorpe experience want to comment ? Bill Wray I know you have been there.

BTW Freya, great effort to keep plugging away in our unseasonal heat. I hope you get to paddle some of our beautiful coastline in some nicer weather soon.

Cheers Mark D.

By: Jarad Kohlar

Jarad Kohlar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:13:26 +0000

Hi Freya,
I have just finished watching – This Is The Sea 3, interesting DVD. How is the body feeling? Very impressed and envious of your adventure. You will have many great memories to keep for ever. Keep up the good work and I will see you out on the water sometime when you hit the Victorian coastline. Until then, happy paddling and enjoy

By: Brad

Brad — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:58:43 +0000

There is fresh water on Thistle Island, Wedge Island and Althorpe Island.

By: Jeff Lock

Jeff Lock — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:33:14 +0000

Gidday Freya
I live in Port Lincoln and are currently working afternoon shift and have to be home by about 3 pm to get ready for work . If you need water allowing for these work times at Sleaford I can be contacted on 0428872019. Just ring me the day or night before. If I am not home leave a message and phone number with my wife and I will be more than happy to help out. I have been following your trip now for ten months and it is awe inspiring.
Also at Farm beach which is at the base of Mt Dutton (east of point Sir Isaac at the entrance to Coffin bay) there are numerous shacks(some have full time occupants) just over the back of the boat ramp I am sure if you are short of water you could walk just over the boat ramp only a couple of hundred metres and ask and someone will only be to happy fill you up.
Anything else you need on the way past I am only to happy to help I am only a phone call away and will travel out to any point along the way that is accessable by a two wheel drive if needed.
All the best
Jeff Port Lincoln