About Baudin Beach

Chris and Allen Guthleben

107 Leander Avenue Baudin Beach Kangaroo Island

PO Box 765 Penneshaw KI 5222 SA Australia

Phone: 61 8 8553 1326

Fax: 61 8 8553 1356

E-mail: figtree@thefigtree.com.au

The Fig Tree

Quality Accommodation on Kangaroo Island

AAA Rating

About Baudin Beach

The Fig Tree B&B is in the picturesque hamlet of Baudin Beach, Kangaroo Island, approximately 7 minutes from the go ahead town of Penneshaw. Formerly known as American Beach, it was renamed in April 2002 to honour the French explorer, Nicholas Baudin, who was the first to circumnavigate Kangaroo Island.

Penneshaw, the port for the Sealink Ferry has the facilities of most small country towns, including Hotel (about to be refurbished) a Rural business centre including post office and public internet, a health centre, a 7 day IGA supermarket incorporating a Cellarbration bottle shop, 3 takeaway food outlets, 3 restaurants plus sports oval and tennis courts and a 9 hole golf course.

Baudin Beach…a brief history

Nicholas Baudin in "Le Geographe" is said to have anchored off the beach in this area in January 1803. While waiting for a sister ship to arrive, he made repairs, using the tall timbers that grew in this area. Captain Baudin's girl, the 16 year old Mary Beckworth, came ashore with the working parties - the first European woman to set foot on South Australian soil. A sculpture, near the boatramp, by local artist Deb Sleeman, was unveiled and dedicated to Mary Beckworth in April 2003.

In due course this area became farmland known as Deep Creek Farm, owned by Mr Bruce Bates of Penneshaw. Deep Creek still drains the area to the south and east of Baudin Beach and can be accessed via the steps and walkway at the eastern end of the coastal walkway.

Mystery surrounds the early personality "Crabby Jack". All that remains of his stone hut are the 3 poles that he used for fixing his nets and his name, for the area behind the big sandhill

In 1966, the land was sold to a Mr Clem Bessell who cleared the land and erected the first house. Approval was gained for a subdivision under the name American Beach Estate. Although the area was known as American Beach this name was never gazetted.

As the area became better known for the easy access to the good fishing in the waters off the shore, more homes were built, not only weekenders, but also more permanent residences, until now there are 65 dwellings and 79 permanent residents.

The very active progress association has been able to gain Coastcare grants to build a breakwater, all weather boatramp, shelter shed, seats and tables as well as walkways to the beaches and viewing platforms. The public toilets at the boatramp have been completed.

In January 2003, Baudin Beach was officially gazetted and proclaimed a town.

Baudin Beach has a relaxed atmosphere, and offers the discerning visitor the perfect base to discover Kangaroo Island. There are coastal and bush walks near at hand as well as abundant wild life and bird life. Fishing from the beach or breakwater can reward the enthusiast. Dolphins can often be seen from the walkways and lookouts. The Penguin Centre at Penneshaw offers a tremendous insight into the amazing fairy penguin.

Nearby Penneshaw offers every day shopping and dining facilities, and the local wineries offer their wares for the wine buffs. Spectacular Pennington Bay, the view from Prospect Hill, the expanse of Island Beach, the beautiful Antechamber Bay and Chapman river and historic Cape Willoughby are just a short drive away, in fact the furthermost part of the Island is but a little over 60 minutes away

Baudin Beach…in the country by the sea

For more information about The Fig Tree, contact the owners at figtree@thefigtree.com.au or by phone at 61 8 8553 1326.