Our History
Kangaroo Island, located off the coast of South Australia, boasts a rich and diverse history shaped by its unique environment and early inhabitants. From its Aboriginal roots and European discovery to its role in the development of the Australian frontier, the island has long been a place of cultural significance, exploration, and natural beauty. This history reflects a journey of resilience, adaptation, and growth, making Kangaroo Island a key part of Australia's heritage.
The Stories behind the Apartments
Christmas Cove was the first port servicing Kangaroo Island and is steeped in Maritime history.
Since early pioneering days, many vessels and their seafaring pioneers were the lifeblood of Kangaroo Island. Cove Landing gives a hat tip to this maritime history by naming Each Cove Landing apartment after a vessel that played a crucial role in connecting Kangaroo Island with the rest of the world and with particular connections to Penneshaw and Christmas Cove.
SS Karatta
The SS Karatta was one of the longest serving and best loved of all steamers that have operated between Kangaroo Island and the mainland.
She was the lifeblood of the Island for both passengers and cargo, with a capacity for 2600 bags of wheat and 900 shorn sheep. Built especially for the Kangaroo Island service, in Scotland in 1907, the Karatta was owned by the Adelaide Steamship Company and named after Karatta House, Robe, South Australia. She commenced the run in 1907 and ran for 54 years before being replaced by the MV Troubridge. Picture taken at Hog Bay.
The lifeboat from the SS Karatta is on display at the Maritime Museum Penneshaw.
The apartment is home to Penneshaw's first settlement with an ocean front address. The large balcony with incredible marina and ocean views beautifully decorated and located near the Penneshaw town centre and just a short walk from Restaurants, Hotel, Supermarket, and breathtaking uninterrupted views. It delivers the ultimate in coastal living for a break away from everyday life.
SS James Comrie
The 73 ton James Comrie, built at Shoalhaven, NSW in 1877, was one of the first regular transport between Kangaroo Island and the mainland. Small and able, the wooden-hulled Comrie made regular shuttle trips with mail, other necessities and passengers to Penneshaw, Kingscote and the mainland and was celebrated by Islanders for climbing over waves “like an acrobat or a duck,” Comrie later became the tug boat Yulta.
The boat was named after the philanthropist James Comrie, who arrived in NSW on the 2nd June 1843 on the EMMA and initially worked at Moor’s Wharf at Millers Point, Sydney.
Overlooking Backstairs passage and Christmas Cove, this amazing apartment is perfect for a luxury Island getaway; or for a longer home away from home stay.
The apartment is home to Australia’s first settlement with beach front address. The balcony offers incredible marina and ocean views beautifully decorated and located near the Penneshaw town centre and just a short walk from Restaurants, Hotel, Supermarket, and breathtaking uninterrupted views. It delivers the ultimate in coastal living for a break away from everyday life.
YC Lily May
The Lily May was a small wooden sailing yawl cutter (YC) built by Henry Chant at Birkenhead, Port Adelaide circa 1870 that serviced the postal run between Kangaroo Island and the mainland between 1870 and 1880, by Harry Bates.
Harry Bates was a farmer and contractor carrying the mail across Backstairs Passage in the Lily May and operated Surbiton House as a boarding house, (located behind Cove Landing).
For that payment Harry was contracted to carry mail from the Talisker silver-lead mine, six miles from Cape Jervis to Cygnet River once a fortnight for £98. He walked six miles from Cape Jervis to Talisker and back again and then sailed the Lily May to Hog Bay where the mail was sorted. He then rode his horse Champion to Cygnet River to deliver the mail in waterproof saddle bags. The Lily May was named after Harry's daughter.
The apartment is home to Australia’s first settlement with ocean front address. The balcony offers incredible marina and ocean views beautifully decorated and located near the Penneshaw town centre and just a short walk from Restaurants, Hotel, Supermarket, and breathtaking uninterrupted views. It delivers the ultimate in coastal living for a break away from everyday life.