Kangaroo Island

Roads to Recovery

Photo Safari

 

In January 2020 Fires ravished the specatacular Kangaroo Island landscape, taking everything in it’s path, devastating communities, destroying thousands of acres of natural bushland, and displacing wildlife. As you depart Cape Jervis on the short crossing to the Island on our Photography Safari you feel a sense of anticipation. How has the island recovered from it’s worst natural disaster on record?

Nature has it’s own way of fighting back …

Come with us to explore the wonderous regrowth that has occurred since the fires, explore the fresh and lively rebound that is occuring on this wild and windswept land. This 3 day tour will showcase the magnificence of remote landscapes in renewal mode, natures own built in preservation system. Enjoy 5 star accommodation, luxury 4wd travel, knowledgable guides and experienced photographers to help you capture stunning images of nature at it’s best.

 

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION Focused Expeditions – 144 South Tce Adelaide
DEPARTURE DETAILS Dates: 20 – 22nd October 2023

Please arrive at least 30 mins before to load equipment

INCLUDED
Tuition
Professional Photographer
NOT INCLUDED
Photography Equipment
Personal snacks

Suitable outdoor clothing & bushwalking shoes

 

KANGAROO ISLAND

Kangaroo Island (“Ki” to the locals) is Australia’s third largest island and a well-known haven for wildlife enthusiasts seeking a retreat. The island lies around 112 km southwest of Adelaide and is almost two thirds protected by reserves and national parks. There are also many cafés and restaurants that serve fresh local fare. The island’s main focus is on eco-tourism and you’ll find flawless beaches along the coastline such as Vivonne Bay, which was crowned Australia’s best beach in 2003. Island Beach is another remote oasis, where kangaroos, seals, dolphins and various birds are found in abundance, while the west coast of Flinders Chase National Park is home to the iconic granite boulders known as Remarkable Rocks.

DAYS 1 – 2: KANGAROO ISLAND

FRIDAY 3rd MARCH 2023

1PM – Please meet at Focused Expeditions – 144 South Tce Adelaide for check in and loading of equipment prior to departure

Travel through to Cape Jervis

3PM – Sealink Ferry service to Kangaroo Island

4PM – arrive Penneshaw and disembark

Commence touring of Kangaroo Island, heading first to Cape Willoughby and Cape Saint Albans for our first shoot.

Travel via the American River Aquatic Reserve, Pelican Lagoon Conservation Park and Duck Lagoon at Cygnet River for some beautiful birdlife shots. Keep your eyes in the treetops in case of any local Koalas.  You may observe the birdlife on the Lagoon from the shelter of the bird hide. You can investigate old relics from the past, or just wander on the scenic walking trail which takes you along the banks of the Lagoon and the Cygnet River.

Cygnet River is the longest river of KI that flows into a delta before the sea into Nepean Bay.

Sunset this evening, being just before the equinox, is 7.30pm, so we can make the most of the extra daylight and into golden hour.

Enjoy a picnic dinner we’ve prepared earlier, at Duck Lagoon.

Continue via the Playford Highway to our accommodation for 2 nights on the North West coast of the island.

8PM – This evening we will settle into our luxury accommodation, enjoy a drink and review our first shots in the outdoor private courtyard or if cooler from the sunken, cushioned lined conversation pit with slow combustion fire.

SATURDAY 4th MARCH 2023

This morning we will visit the western end of the island, taking in the regeneration still obvious from the effects of the fire, particularly around the Hanson Bay area. We will take in Flinders Chase National Park including Admirals Arch, Remarkable Rocks, Cape de Couedic Lighthouse,  along with the lighthouse at Cape Borda. See parts of the KI Wilderness Trail and amazing views from Bunker Hill.

12 NOON – We will continue to travel through to Vivonne Bay where you will enjoy some of the best fish and chips you’ve ever had for lunch, before we go onto a private Birds of Prey show at Raptor Domain.

4PM – RAPTOR DOMAIN

5.30PM – Our touring today will conclude with a visit to the must do, Seal Bay, before we head back to our waterfront accommodation.

Sunset drinks over Snelling Beach will provide ample stunning photographic opportunities.

DAY 3: END OF ITINERARY

SUNDAY 5th MARCH 2023

8AM – Enjoy a superb opportunity to get up close with nature both living and fossilised on our private marine charter aboard the only custom-built dolphin swim jet boat in the industry. All snorkelling gear is provided as well as wetsuits so you can either choose to observe from inside of the boat, or jump in and join in! Coffee, tea and biscuits are provided whilst you sit back, relax and reflect on your true wild dolphin experience, often referred to as the best wild dolphin swim experience anywhere. Take in the magnificent sights of the north coast with views of the ancient fossil Bod’s dated at 540 million years. A huge variety of coastal seabirds and wildlife can be seen on these tours, including white bellied sea eagles, wedge tailed eagles, falcons and seal colonies.

12 NOON – After we dry off, lunch will be at the fabulous Emu Bay Lavender Farm where you can partake in one of their amazing scones and buy gifts for home.

1.30PM – As we head towards the ferry, we will stop in at KI Spirits for a little tipple during our 2 hour Cellar Door Cocktail Masterclass.

4.30PM – Sealink Ferry service to the mainland

5.30PM – arrive Cape Jervis to travel back to the city

LIFE TIME PRIVATE RETREATS – KANGAROO ISLAND

Life Time Private Retreats is located on Kangaroo Island, just a few kilometres off the South Australia’s southern coast. Specializing in hand crafted luxury accommodation, Life Time Private Retreats offers four spectacular holiday houses. Each of the private houses is nestled in stunning coastal locations of natural beauty. The houses feature amenities such as private courtyards, CD and record player, direct dial telephones, private bathrooms, fully equipped kitchen and cable TV. Also offered are several dining options and swimming pools.

Equipment Required

Participants must bring:

  • Comfortable walking shoes.
  • Casual clothes suitable for bush, outings and events.
  • Warm jacket and gloves.
  • Hat and sunglasses.
  • Bathers (weather dependant).
  • Camera Equipment including Tripod.
  • Full gear including camera body, lenses and filters.
  • Spare Batteries.
  • Plenty of storage cards.
  • Laptop loaded with Photoshop or Lightroom.
  • Card Reader.
  • Any medications.
  • Personal Snacks.
  • Journal for recording your adventure.
  • Towel.
  • Toiletries.

Customers should note due to weather and access conditions substitutions may occur to any location or activity.

Chris’s passion for Rural Australia became evident during expeditions as a teenager into the rugged and remote areas of the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, hiking and living the adventure of one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in Australia.

He has since spent the last 30 years working and traveling throughout Australia photographing and mixing with businesses driven by passionate rural people. His empathy for rural lifestyles is shown in his photography and he has the ability to capture the spectacular moods of the Australian bush. Based in the Limestone Coast region of South Australia, Chris has travelled this vast country seeking Photographic opportunities.

Due to the tyranny of distances, his desire to maintain a personal approach to other business interests, and a family history in Aviation he became a Private Pilot. Having now clocked many hundreds of hours in the cockpit, Chris’s preferred method of travel throughout this vast country is by plane, allowing him to capture and reproduce images from a range of regions throughout Australia.

Special projects are Chris’s specialty,  with current clients including Corporate Clients,  Wineries, Charity organisations, Private landholders, and  Tourism bodies.