SeaLink ferry bid may be a game changer for KI, Glenelg
Ferries leaving Glenelg would be a “game changer” and draw an extra 15,000 visitors to Kangaroo Island each summer — as SeaLink explores using “boutique” cruise ships for the proposed service.
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Sealink wants to operate a new passenger ferry between Glenelg and Kingscote which it says would draw an extra 15,000 visitors to Kangaroo Island every summer.
The company has met the SA Tourism Commission and Holdfast Bay and Kangaroo Island councils about its plans.
Along with six services weekly to Kangaroo Island, it also wants to run twice weekly passenger trips to Yorke Peninsula — potentially docking at Port Vincent.
Setting up a base in Glenelg would allow the company to run coastal cruises in the area between West Beach and Port Noarlunga.
It will also look at enticing “boutique” cruise ships to Glenelg and Kingscote by offering “ship to shore” services, ferrying passengers to the destinations for excursions.
SeaLink managing director Jeff Ellison said the company was excited about its bid to offer a “fast ferry” service between Glenelg and Kingscote, which would take about two hours.
“We have thought about this opportunity as being similar to our North Queensland operations where we not only provide fast ferry services to nearby destinations but also provide services for visiting cruise ships and growing regional tourism opportunities,” Mr Ellison said.
“Glenelg is a hub for tourism particularly over the summer months and opening up opportunities for visitors to Glenelg to visit Kangaroo Island, the Yorke Peninsula or to take a sunset tour of the Adelaide metropolitan coast is a compelling tourism opportunity.”
The company wants to trial a four-month summer season, forecasting it could carry more than 15,000 people to KI on a catamaran.
SeaLink already runs a passenger and car ferry between Cape Jervis and Penneshaw, and Kangaroo Island Connect runs a fast passenger-only service between the same towns.
The company’s bid follows the State Government recently announcing it had commissioned a review into the feasibility of redeveloping the Glenelg jetty.
It boosted Holdfast Bay Council’s plans for the overhaul, which were mooted during 2016, flagging a widened and lengthened jetty and other attractions including a hotel and restaurants.
The Liberal Party committed $20 million towards the project in the lead up to the last state election, on the proviso it had other financial backers.
KI Mayor Michael Pengilly has urged the Government to include a new ferry terminal in the jetty’s design so the island can secure a larger number of visitors.
SeaLink’s general manager of growth and innovation Paul Victory also backed the push but said the company’s proposal need not wait for the overhauled Glenelg jetty.
Instead, it could operate between Kingscote and Glenelg jetties with minor upgrades.
“We’re thinking it’s a pop-up tourism concept at both Kingscote and Glenelg jetties as opposed to millions of dollars in investment,” Mr Victory said.
“We think people from Adelaide will travel to Yorke Peninsula and Kangaroo Island as a day trip.
“Often one of the barriers to people’s travel is that getting to Cape Jervis is a 90-minute drive.”
The project would need the State Government and Holdfast Bay Council’s backing.
Mr Victory said the venture would employ about 12 people.
The last ferry between Glenelg and KI — the Super Flyte — operated during the 1990s.
At Kingscote, Yen Leow, co-owner of the Cactus cafe, welcomed the possibility of another service to improve access to KI.
“We’re the biggest town on the island but you have to travel for 45 minutes to get to us, and that puts some people off,” he said.
“If there’s another access point at Kingscote, they can access the area a lot easier and save half a day of driving around.”
A ferry to Glenelg may also offer more opportunities for freight, Mr Leow said.
Acting Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Rob Lucas said it was premature to speculate ahead of the feasibility study being finalised.
“We’ve begun the tender process for this body of work and look forward to considering the options once the report is completed,” he said.
michelle.etheridge@news.com.au