South Australia (Kangaroo Island)
American River
This is one of the state's oldest resorts. Mathew Flinders' first called here in 1802 at nearby Pelican Lagoon. A year later, 33 years before South Australia was settled, an American brig visited the estuary and stayed to build a 32-tonne schooner, the 'Independence,' from native pine.
Holiday-makers are never short of things to do - there's plenty of birdwatching, sailing, canoeing or fishing, bushwalking or horseback riding. At night, wallabies and other nocturnal animals come out of the bush and can be spotted around the town. In August, the entire town is ablaze with the blooms of Ereesias whilst wildflowers provide a continually changing carpet of colour along the road and through the bush trails.

Facing Penneshaw across Eastern Cove, AMERICAN RIVER is actually a sheltered bay, where many small fishing boats moor, aiming to catch some of its abundant whiting. It’s a peaceful place to stay, with a concentration of accommodation, and a general store. American River Rendezvous, the kiosk at the wharf (tel 08/8553 3150; fishing-rod rental $10 per day), provides a bit of a spectacle here with its raucous pelican feeding complete with commentary (daily 4.30pm; free). Boats can be chartered for local fishing from the kiosk or direct from Cooinda Charter Services (tel 08/8553 7063).

Matthew Flinders Terraces is a beautifully situated motel with pool, spa and a good licensed restaurant (reservations only), or try the Wanderers Rest, an upmarket B&B where each room has a patio. Holiday units include Ulonga Lodge and Cooinda Holiday Village. The Linnets Island Club has a range of accommodation, from luxury or standard motel suites, holiday apartments and a hostel section to tent sites, plus a wide range of facilities including sauna, pool, restaurant and tennis court; it also offers its own tours.

CYGNET RIVER, at the junction of Playford Highway and the road from Penneshaw, boasts one of the best places to stay on the island: Koala Lodge (tel & fax 08/8553 9006; $75–94), run by a friendly French-Canadian/Australian couple, with personalized en-suite units near the river bank.

Attractions
  • MOUNT THISBY Near American River, Mount Thisby was originally called Prospect Hill by Captain finders, who used it to survey the island. Steps take visitors to its summit for startling views of Pelican Lagoon, American River, the nearby hills and the Southern Ocean at Pennington Bay.
  • PENNINGTON BAY Near American River and one kilometre off the Kingscote to Penneshaw road, Pennington Bay has an excellent surf beach and offers beautiful coastal scenery. However extreme care should be taken by inexperienced surfers.
  • ANTECHAMBER BAY Named by Matthew Flinders in 1802, Antechamber Bay is a long sweep of coast at the eastern tip of the island. Bounded at its southern end by Cape St Albans, the beach is superb while the tree-lined Chapman River is safe for swimming, canoeing, boating and has good fishing. There are excellent camping spots, barbecue facilities and picnic spots,with plenty of walking trails. Above the bay and just off the road, there are good views of the mainland over the beach.