Seal Bay Tourist Park: Ron marvels at the beauty of this area of the Kangaroo Island region of South Australia

Seal Bay is one of the tourism drawcards on Kangaroo Island - a magnet for travelers from around the world. The Australian Sealions have been captivating visitors for generations - way back to the days when tourism pioneer Don Dixon was rattling his way through the bush in an old jalalopie, bringing visitors to this part of South Australia.

The fashions and mode of transport may have changed since then but the wonder of spellbound visitors remains the same as they chill out with the laid back locals.

Don Dixon's retired now but others are showcasing Kangaroo Island in an very active way - like young entrepreneur Luke Talbot Male who runs the Seal Bay Tourist Park.

If you want to enjoy the charms of the Harriet River and magnificent Vyvonne Bay which it finally runs into, Luke will point you in the right direction and supply canoes, surfboards or even sandboards for those who want to take on the Little Sahara.

But when the day's adventure is done, Seal Bay Tourist Park offers the perfect place to kick back and relax. The original cottage built in 1873 now houses an impressive selection of local produce from around the island. But a century ago it played a very different role.

Luke Talbot Male: "Originally it was Kiawarra cottage which from 1909 to 1915 was the original Kiawarra Post Office on the mail route around Kangaroo Island. It used to take about 8 days for the mail run around the island."

The locals have re-enacted the old pony express and on a wall inside the café you'll see an array of postmarks from the many post offices once scattered around the coastal fringes of KI.

To chill out or experience the more adventurous side of KI head to the Seal Bay Tourist Park. It's located on the Seal Bay turnoff about 47kilometres from Kingscote. If you have any further questions please email - info at postcards-sa.com.au (to help with spam issues we have the word "at" instead of @. Please change if you are mailing)

Seal Bay Tourist Park
Seal Bay
Turn-off 47 kilometres ex Kingscote
Kangaroo Island
Bookings 08 8559 6115

Published 8th March 2009