Hovercraft at Port Adelaide: In the Adelaide Coast region of South Australia

The Port River Mangroves is an amazing ecosystem dependent on the rise and fall of the tides. Amazingly, it sits right on the doorstep of a city of just over a million people. They're are many ways to explore the channels and islands which make up this marine wonderland. You can set off in a kayak or canoe and, if your are lucky the local dolphins will give you an escort.

But if you want to cover this deceptively large estuarine expanse in double quick time grab a lift on board one of Kevin Dixon's hovercrafts.

We set off from near the Torrens Island Power Station, where Kevin works as the senior controller. When he gets time off he powers up one of his own creations which is ideally suited to the ever-changing tidal environment.

"The beauty of a machine like this is that even though you're travelling over mud flats or water you are travelling over a pocket of air," said Kevin. "That means you're not affected by tidal movements or currents and it also means you can get to some pretty remarkable places."

Kevin's hovercrafts have been used for environmental surveys and numerous police rescues. But he'll also do special charters, which allow you to take in the amazing history of the area like the old Torrens Island Quarantine Station built early last century. It's close to the port and the city - yet its island location made it difficult to get to.

"The boats would come up and tie up at the jetty. If there were any problems with the passengers, crew or cargo the boat would be held at the Quarantine Station where they had a doctor and dormitories. They even had a crematorium, in case there were serious problems.

"The Quarantine Station was a pivotal part of the history of the port and Australia. It was one of the few stations in Australia to safeguard against viruses and diseases coming into the country."

Soon we're off again on a magic carpet ride that takes in the Outer Harbour Container Terminal. Kevin spots a break in the mangroves and we head into what's called "The Cutting". It's a channel, which takes us from the Port River to the vast expanse of the Saint Kilda mangroves. When the tide's out you'd be hard pressed to get close by boat but the hovercraft makes easy work of the tidal flats.

"We actually fly like a helicopter, but we're limited to the ground, only six to eight inches or twenty centimetres above the ground."

That allows you to get to some pretty amazing places. Soon we come across remnants of the past, which point to a time well before the current Torrens Island and Pelican Point Power Stations.

"In the past, power stations and gas works at Osborne used a lot of coal from New South Wales to generate power and coal gas. They didn't have very good handling facilities so coal would slip over the side and you'd find lumps of coal around the mangroves."

For your little magic carpet ride to the middle of the mangrove estuary contact Kevin Dixon at Hoverservices on 0419 858 078.

Hoverservices
Hovercraft charters
Bookings - Kevin Dixon
Ph 0419 858 078