Kangaroo Islands Outdoor Action: Lisa visits Vivonne Bay to experience some sand boarding, sea kayaking and quad biking in the Kangaroo Island region of South Australia.
Kangaroo Island really is a full of contrasts - from the dramatic weathered coastline that struck fear into the hearts of the early sailors to spectacular natural wonders like Remarkable Rocks and Admiral’s Arch – mother nature at her best.
Then, there are the beaches - some days wild and windswept, other days calm and cooling and it's official - Kangaroo Island has Australia's very best! When Sydney University evaluated thousands of beaches across Australia - rating them on things like water, cleanliness and privacy - Kangaroo Island's Vivonne Bay came out on top.
Vivonne Bay is smack bang in the middle of KI's spectacular South Coast. When you see it's long, curved, white sandy beach, and its turquoise waters it's easy to see why is was declared Australia's best. It's the only safe harbour on the south coast so provides safe anchorage to a fleet of cray boats. And the jetty in the shelter of Point Ellen is a favourite place to drop a line.
The Vivonne Bay experience doesn't have to be a relaxing one - nearby is a huge sand dune system called the Little Saraha and trust me, it's not for the faint-hearted. Little Sahara is a spectacular series of shifting white sand dunes just to the north east of Vivonne Bay. The best way to experience this amazing dune system is with Brenton Davis of KI Outdoor Action. He'll hire you a sand-board or a toboggan - and here's a tip - he reckons the red ones go faster.
Of course the catch is - before you can go down - you have to go up and depending on your fitness level that's an achievement in itself. Preferring to leave the sand boarding to others, I opt for the toboggan where, as Brenton says you 'simply sit down, hang on and slide'. If only it was that easy!
Brenton Davis, KI Outdoor Action: “These massive sand dunes have formed with the contestant south-westerly winds that keep blowing - slowly eroding and generating more and more sand."
The stiff wind blowing the day we were there is proof that the dunes really are a work in progress.
Now once you've eaten a few mouthfuls of sand it's time for a change of pace and the best place for that is on the nearby Harriet River. Again, Brenton can help out by supplying the kayaks so you can explore it at you own pace.
Just when you thought it was safe to go home, Brenton's got one final flourish. KI Outdoor Adventures can take you seriously off-road - into 500 acres of thick scrub and grassland overlooking Vivonne Bay. You can opt to go it alone on a quad-bike, ride as a passenger with a guide or leave the driving to them in their new six seater. Whichever you choose - you're sure to enjoy a truly thrill-packed ride - after all, Brenton's slogan is 'less talk - more action.' Soon we arrive at the top of a hill overlooking the beach where our day's adventures began.
It's all part of Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action experience. You'll find Brenton and his gang at their headquarters on Jetty Road, Vivonne Bay. They hire out quad bikes, kayaks, sandboards and toboggans. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
KI Outdoor Action
Jetty Rd
Vivonne Bay
Ph 8559 4296Published 18th April 2010
