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Penneshaw
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GENERAL INFO
History of Discovery
of the Island
In March 1802 Captain Matthew Flinders was on a voyage of discovery along
the south coast of Australia. Sighting an unknown island he sailed south
intending to make a landing. A gale forced his ship the Investigator towards
the eastern end of the island. He anchored and came ashore at a point
he named "Kanguroo Head". This was the first official discovery
of Kangaroo Island.
From Kangaroo Island Flinders sailed further eastwards and met the French ship Le Geographe under the command of Captain Nicholas Baudin who was also on a voyage of discovery.Flinders told Baudin of Kangaroo Island and the possibility of finding water there. Baudin then sailed along the North coast of the Island but did not come ashore. Baudin returned in 1803 and spent a month anchored off Kangaroo Head while his men gathered water and wood.
Penneshaw Maritime and Folk Museum
Howard Drive, Penneshaw
Kangaroo Island SA 5222
Phone/Fax: (08) 8553.1340 or Phone (08) 8553.1109