Day two begins with a woodland descent through Sanke Lagoon, becoming a boardwalk when approaching Maupertuis Bay.
Photo Credit: Quentin Chester
A wallaby and her joey. The Flinders Chase National Park has become a refuge for native animals since it was established in 1919.
Photo Credit: Quentin Chester
Island walkers Graeme and Cheryl Casey take a break atop the limestone battlements overlooking Maupertuis Bay.
Photo Credit: Quentin Chester
Cape de Couedic lighthouse was built in 1909 to prevent a repeat of the two tragic shipwrecks in 1899 and 1905. It’s the last destination on day two of the Wilderness Trail.
Photo Credit: Quentin Chester
Seals lounge at Cape du Couedic near Admirals Arch.
Photo Credit: Quentin Chester
The Cape du Couedic lighthouse as seen from nearby lodgings.
Photo Credit: Quentin Chester
Admirals Arch is one of the major tourist destinations of Kangaroo Island. The beautiful erosion is an ode to the oceans might.
Photo Credit: Quentin Chester
On day three, walkers reach Remarkable Rocks, a natural sculpture garden created slowly by time and erosion. In the sunlight, light spills into the hollows and weathered enclaves of Remarkable Rocks.
Photo Credit: Quentin Chester
Limestone battlements overlook Sanderson Bay northwest of Remarkable Rocks.
Photo Credit: Quentin Chester
An echidna at Antechamber Bay. The abundance of wildlife on the walk is astonishing.
Photo Credit: Quentin Chester
Shrubbery grows along Sanderson Bay’s wave-misted headlands.
Photo Credit: Quentin Chester
Picturesque Hanson Bay is home to the Southern Ocean Lodge, one of Australia’s finest spa retreats. For hikers, day four of the hike is less of a pamper, but the clear bay remains a rejuvenating sight.
Photo Credit: Quentin Chester
Sunset at Cape Younghusband, between Sanderson and Hanson bays.
Photo Credit: Quentin Chester
Dale Hanson fears no splashback as he stands in front of the waves at Cape Younghusband. Swell can be dangerous on the shores, even reaching up to 15m at Cape du Couedic.
Photo Credit: Quentin Chester
Some prefer taking in the coastline by boat.
Photo Credit: Quentin Chester
Not surprisingly, kangaroos are regular sights on the Wilderness Walk.
Photo Credit: Quentin Chester
The far flung shores of Cape Bouguer will be a point in the horizon for much of the Wilderness Trail. While not included on the trail itself, it’s a serene side excursion from Hanson Bay.
The sun begins to set on day two of hiking through Flinders Chase National Park. In the distance is Kirkpatrick Point, where the odd curves of the Remarkable Rocks can be seen from afar.
(Photo credit: Quentin Chester)
Kangaroo Island’s new Wilderness Trail is set to open October 1. The rugged five day 66km walk through Flinders Chase National Park hugs a coastal shoreline that’s brimming with native wildlife.
Read more about the Wilderness Trail in AG#134, out now.