Penneshaw, South Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Penneshaw South Australia
Penneshaw harbour
Penneshaw Location in South Australia
Population	276 (2011 census)
Postcode(s)	5222
Time zone	ACST (UTC+9:30)
• Summer (DST)	ACDT (UTC+10:30)
Location	107 km (66 mi) south of Adelaide
LGA(s)	Kangaroo Island Council
Region	Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island
County	Carnarvon
State electorate(s)	Mawson
Federal Division(s)	Mayo
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 18.1 °C 65 °F 12.8 °C 55 °F 538.4 mm 21.2 in
Localities around Penneshaw: Backstairs Passage Backstairs Passage Backstairs Passage Kangaroo Head Penneshaw Ironstone Kangaroo Head Dudley East Ironstone
Footnotes	Location Climate Adjoining localities

Penneshaw is a small town in South Australia. It is located on the northeast coast of the Dudley Peninsula on Kangaroo Island. The town is about 107 kilometers south of Adelaide, the state capital. Penneshaw is very important because it is the island's main ferry port. Ferries travel regularly from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw. The town has a Maritime and Folk Museum. You can also take evening tours to see a colony of little penguins. These are the only penguins that breed in Australian waters. In 2011, Penneshaw had a population of 276 people.

Penneshaw was first called Hog Bay. This name came from pigs that French Commander Nicholas Baudin released there a long time ago. Later, the town was named Penneshaw. This name combines parts of two names. One was Dr. F.W. Pennefather, who was a private secretary to Governor Jervois. The other was Flora Louisa Shaw, a newspaper editor who visited the area.

In the 1990s, South Australia's first modern seawater desalination plant was built in Penneshaw. This plant helps turn salty ocean water into fresh drinking water. It was needed to add to the town's limited water supply from dams.

The Penneshaw jetty, a busy spot for ferries and visitors.

Discover the Penneshaw Jetty

The Penneshaw jetty is a very important part of the town. In 1901, the government approved money to build a jetty here. People asked for it to be made longer and better in 1905 and 1906. Workers extended the jetty in late 1908. At that time, the outer part of the jetty was only 9 feet wide.

Later, a breakwater was built. This structure helps protect the jetty and visiting ships from rough seas.

In 2012, the jetty was made even longer. This was to help cruise ships bring more visitors to Penneshaw. Many people now arrive by cruise ship for short visits. In the 2014–15 season, seven cruise ships landed passengers here. The jetty is also a great place for fun activities. You can go snorkeling or scuba diving there. It is known for its beautiful Gorgonian corals.

Today, the timber jetty and breakwater provide a safe place for the ferry. This ferry travels to and from Cape Jervis every day. It also helps tenders land passengers from visiting cruise ships.

Fun Things to See and Do

Penneshaw offers many interesting places to explore:

• Anglican Parish of Kangaroo Island Church of St Columba: A local church with historical significance.
• Christmas Cove: A scenic spot that is part of the area's heritage.
• Frenchman's Rock: In 1803, the French explorer Nicolas Baudin anchored in Hog Bay. One of his crew carved a note on a rock to mark their arrival. The original rock is now in the Gateway Information Centre. A copy of the rock is on Penneshaw Beach where the original once stood.
• Hog Bay: The original name of the area, now a beautiful bay.
• Maritime and Folk Museum: Learn about the town's sea history and local traditions.
• Penneshaw Penguin Centre: Take special night tours to see the local little penguin colony. Experienced guides lead these tours.
• The Uniting Church: This church was built around 1883. It was the first church ever established on Kangaroo Island.

Protecting the Little Penguins

Kangaroo Island is home to a special colony of little penguins. In 1802, Matthew Flinders' expedition saw "thousands" of these penguins near Kangaroo Head. This area is just west of Penneshaw. People have seen little penguins at Penneshaw for many years.

Sometimes, the penguin population has faced challenges. For example, in 1984, two dogs caused a big drop in the penguin numbers. Another incident in 2003 also affected the colony.

As of 2011, the number of little penguins in the monitored part of the colony seemed to have gone down over the past 10 years.

Work is ongoing to help improve the habitat for little penguins near Penneshaw. Since 2013, efforts have focused on an 800-meter coastal strip. This area is between Frenchman's Rock and Baudin Conservation Park. The work includes removing weeds and planting native plants. They also install nesting boxes to give the penguins safe places to live.

Local Government

Penneshaw is part of the federal division of Mayo. It is also in the state electoral district of Mawson. The town is managed by the Kangaroo Island Council, which is the local government.

Images for kids

• 

  Frenchman's Rock, Penneshaw 1803.