Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island

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Families can have their picnics and barbecues in several ideal spots along the beach. Scuba diving is also a popular activity in the town and the rest of the island. There are several interesting dive sites all around Kangaroo Island, including ship wrecks that experienced divers can visit and explore.

One of the town's main attractions is the Frenchman's Rock. The rock was inscribed with French texts by one of the crews of French explorer Nicolas Baudin in 1803. The original carved rock is now on display at the Gateway Information Centre while a replica was placed on the original site at the eastern part of Penneshaw Beach.

Local history can be learned at the Penneshaw Maritime and Folk Museum, located along Howard Drive. This National Trust museum showcases items collected not only from within the town but from all over the Dudley Peninsula. It includes artifacts of sailors and sealers who came to the area, including models of ships who visited the island even before its formal settlement. The museum also has collections of memorabilia depicting the life and community of early settlers in Penneshaw.

The town's most famous attraction is its colony of Little Penguins. Penneshaw constructed several viewing platforms so visitors can observe these animals come ashore at Hog Bay Beach. Visitors also get to observe different penguin behaviors as these creatures go about in their nocturnal activities. Experienced guides are also at hand to provide interesting facts and information about these birds. The viewing platforms are accessed at the corner of Middle Terrace and Bay Terrace.

Another interesting attraction is located at the eastern end of the island, the Cape Willoughby Lightstation. Visitors can explore the lighthouse and view the spectacular coastal scenery from this vantage point. The nearby Visitors Centre provides refreshments and information on the people who tended this lighthouse in the past.

The lightstation is also part of the Cape Willoughby Conservation Park where visitors can indulge in several outdoor activities such as bush walking, bird watching, and animal viewing.

Four-wheel drives can be hired at Penneshaw for those wishing to explore the island further. Interesting destinations include the pristine Vivonne Beach, the towns of Kingscote and American River where oyster farming is a major, Little Sahara, and Stokes Bay. The island also has several extensive forested areas, like the Kelly Hills Conservation and the Flinders Chase National Park.