Kangaroo Island - Penneshaw & Pennington Bay & American River

With a commanding view of the mainland, just 18km across Backstairs Passage, Penneshaw is the community centre for Dudley Peninsula. Situated on the northeast coast of the Island, the seaside village is an attractive welcome for visitors arriving on the Sealink ferries. The Hog Bay Jetty is famous as a fishing spot. It is home to a colony of Little Penguins. Tours are conducted nightly from the Penguin Interpretive Centre.

American River is a narrow tidal channel, known locally as 'The River', separates Pelican Lagoon and Eastern Cove. This channel forms the Island's most protected harbour. The village nestles on the hillside in native bushland, offering superb views of Eastern Cove and the mainland from the comfort of the wide range of accommodation. With the integration of bushland and accommodation, the nightlife in American River is naturally wild. A leisurely walk with a torch will reveal an array of native life including Tammar Wallabies and Brush-tailed Possums. The bushland surrounding the village is habitat to the endangered Glossy Black Cockatoo, which are often seen in the area. Eastern Cove, the outer bay, offers excellent sailing and fishing in semi-protected waters. Pelican Lagoon, the inner bay, is a natural fish nursery and is protected as an Aquatic Reserve. The islands within the lagoon are important bird-breeding habitats. Black Swans, Cape Barren Geese, Australian Pelicans and other birds make the area an excellent bird-watching destination. The foreshore and the Fish Cannery Walking Trail are great places to pursue this.