the accommodation at Cape Borda ......

Way back in January (2014) we decided on a vacation to Kangaroo Island, but what we didn't know at the time was that you are also able to stay in the Lighthouse Keepers Cottages while there!

we stayed in the FLINDERS LIGHT LODGE, the one next door is for the Ranger. There are two small cabins over the back area for low cost accommodation options.

On the National Parks website they 'advertise' Cape Borda Lightstation as:
 
Set within Flinders Chase National Park, Cape Borda Lighthouse is perched on cliffs overlooking Investigator Strait. Located on the north western corner of Kangaroo Island, this unique square lighthouse was built in 1858 and is steeped in European history.

To discover the maritime history of the area you can take a tour of the lightstation. The lighthouse area features a restored signal cannon, a museum and kiosk where refreshments and souvenirs are available. Don't miss the daily cannon firing on the 12.30pm tour.

After exploring the lighthouse, enjoy a stroll along one of the walking trails around the park including the Cliff Top Hike. This short trail through a picturesque rock garden takes you to a stone lookout that provides an ideal vantage point for spotting whales and dolphins.
and for the accommodation it has:

Flinders Light Lodge - Cape Borda

The beautifully restored Flinders Light Lodge is an ideal romantic getaway for couples or retreat for families. This gracious stone homestead comfortably sleeps up to six guests in three bedrooms with one queen size bed and four single beds in two rooms, living and dining rooms, kitchen, and veranda with views of Cape Borda Lighthouse.

yes, we could see the lighthouse from the back door of the lodge

Set within the Flinders Chase National Park, Cape Borda offers a special kind of peace and tranquility. Enjoy stunning sunsets and spectacular views across Investigator Strait.
Explore the park's walking trails or join a tour of the lighthouse and discover Cape Borda's maritime history.

Phone +61 8 8553 4410 or email kiparksaccom@sa.gov.au if you experience difficulties making a booking.
We can accommodate 2 infants (under 4 years old) at no charge including complimentary cot and High chair loan, please call or email to add infants and requirements to your booking.

so how could we resist?

But it was not until we were on the SeaLink Ferry going across to Kangaroo Island that we realised you could also book the accommodation through them and get a discount on the fare.

It was well worth staying there the four days / three nights as it is just so relaxing and you can still go for some lovely long walks or even take the car to one of the bays.

Remember though, there are no stores close by, so take what you need for the length of time you are staying.  We purchased most of our food items prior to departing home and topped up with fresh bread & milk at Kingscote.

We spent the first 24 hours staying around the lighthouse just reading, playing music, talking and generally resting. The Ranger actually said to us that we 'broke the mold' as everyone else gets up and takes off for the day and he never see's anyone just staying around to enjoy the peace & quiet!

We really enjoyed our stay and would happily return at anytime.

Everything we needed was provided, the kitchen was fully equipped with large refrigerator, gas stove, microwave, all the utensils etc.  The bedrooms all had towels, clean sheets, bedding, pillows and a heater.  We stayed there in late April and did not need the heater on overnight.  Though we did turn it on early morning in the bathroom!  We expected it to be cold and brought along an extra doona / duvet, extra jackets, boots etc but did not need any of them. I think we may have been lucky!

The lounge area has plenty of old magazines and books, so if you are going to stay there, take along a few books that you are comfortable leaving there. We had extra shampoo, conditioner and liquid soaps left over from previous stays at motels, so we left them in the bathroom. We also left kitchen items like coffee / tea / jams / long life milk etc.  There are sure to be guests that arrive and not have everything with them!

fully equipped kitchen

lounge area

bedroom

bedroom

bedroom

bedroom

from the kitchen looking down the hallway to the bathroom

we found the accommodation clean, dry, warm and comfortable. It is not 5 star, but then we were not looking for any resort either. Flinders Light Lodge had everything we needed including peace and quiet!

Highly recommended if this is the style of accommodation that would suit you.


Useful URL's..


National Parks of South Australia - Cape Borda


Tour Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island (South Australian Tourism Website)

SeaLink Website

SeaLink Timetable

Boarding the Ferry

What is available on board

Help for those that suffer from Motion Sickness


my previous blog posts on this particular vacation are:


The many moods of Cape Borda Lighthouse

Driving to the west coast of Kangaroo Island

Crossing via SeaLink

staying at Cape Jervis Station

crossing the Mighty Murray by Punt

Beachport Jetty

stopping over in Mt Gambier

planning the journey to Kangaroo Island

our thoughts on staying at Cape Borda!



stay tuned for further blog posts on the kangaroo's, visiting the many bays of Kangaroo Island and much more!


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a train journey

Today, May 25 2012 ..... the coldest day in four years and the wettest day in seventeen years and what did we decide to do?

Yes ... take a train trip from Ballan into Melbourne City!

This was my first time on the train, though John has been in by train many times over the past two months of us living here.

He always said it was a comfortable journey and it was ..... would be even better if they offered free WiFi on the train, but I think our dreams of that happening are next to nil.

above: The Ballan Rail Station ...... the ticket area and the waiting room and yes, there is a delightful waiting room complete with heater and toilet facilities!

The conductor was friendly, the train was warm and the seating was comfortable, it took 57 minutes to reach the Southern Cross Station (the Old Spencer Street) and the cost was 'reasonable' I guess. Though I cannot understand why they don't offer concession rates over the weekend. They have a very odd way of working out the price structure.  At the weekends there is a "Family Ticket" for one adult and two children that costs $5.10. The same price as one adult with a concession card!

Why not have the same fares all the time?

Why distinguish between off peak, peak and weekends ... surely the idea would be to encourage everyone to use public transport as opposed to vehicles?

But ... all that aside ... the train journey today was a nice experience and we would recommend it to everyone.

above:  inside the carriage

below:  the scenery along the way .......
keep in mind the train was moving and it was a very wet day, so the photos really don't do the scenery justice. It would be quite beautiful on a clear sunny day.

below: arriving at Southern Cross Rail Station.

.... and before heading over to Collins Street to catch the tram, we stopped at PIE FACE for a cup of hot chocolate!

Even though the day was wet and cold, we did enjoy our trip in by train ....

We will blog about the next train trip too and hopefully will have a few better photos.

overnight trip to Bendigo

Last weekend we spent a night in Bendigo, the main reason to go was that one of our very dear friends was turning 50.  There was a big party being planned at her home, everyone was invited except us.


But we were sneaky and had told her we would not be back in Australia until the "end of March", so no invite was in the mail. Little did she know that we had made arrangements with her family and friends that we would be there......  what a surprise for her and what a great night it was for us!


Bendigo is not even one and a half hours from Ballan, so a nice overnight trip.

above image is the front entrance to the Golden Reef Motor Inn - a member of the Sundowner chain.


We stayed at the Golden Reef Motor Inn - a member of the Sundowner chain.


Our visit to the Motor Inn was not an 'invited' social media event, but rather our own personal choice. We were impressed with the cleanliness of our room - which was just a basic double - and all the extra little things that made this Motor Inn a good choice.

There was the Queens sized bed, tea and coffee making facilities, a small refrigerator, small table with two chairs, a small 1.5 seat sofa, TV, plenty of hanging space, an iron and ironing board, a well appointed bathroom. Extras that we were not expecting were the hairdryer, the can of fly spray, the over head bedside lighting and the mugs for coffee as well as the cups and saucers.

above images: inside our room


The internal lighting - as usual with motels - was very poor, with one main light over the bed and one light where the tea making facilities are.


This is an ideal Motel / Motor Inn for business men and families with plenty of car parking available. 

The bathroom was small but adequate. We are used to the larger sized showers and bathrooms in hotels. Main thing was that it was clean!

The swimming pool was extra small, in fact barely large enough to be called a "swimming pool", but then we are used to the wonderful resorts of Asia with multiple pools attached to the hotels, so we shouldn't 'judge' the size of them here. Though it still was extra small by any standard!

Like I mentioned above, it is a well appointed Motor Inn with good staff and would be an excellent place for families and business people to stay.


We hope to return in the next couple of months as we are intending to see the Grace Kelly exhibition that is being held in Bendigo.


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Leone and John Fabre