Snelling Beach
So many activities await you, the question is, how many can you fit in one day?
Also known as “Snellings” or “Middle River”, Snelling Beach is a stunning north-west facing 660m stretch of paradise. There are only a handful of beaches you can drive your 4WD/AWD on, of which Snellings is one of them (*Below the high tide mark). Below is a list of some of the activity options and wildlife that are right on your doorstep if you are staying at Middle River Beach House:
Dolphins
It is not uncommon to see pods of dolphins cruising up and down the clear blue waters of Snelling Beach chasing mullet and other smaller fish for a tasty meal. Swimmers are not to get closer than 30m, but from time to time you will have front row seats from the beach when they will put on a show either surfing in the waves or doing aerial tricks!
Pic: Instagram @peyesslafesse
Exercise
If you don’t want to feel guilty about the afternoon cheese platter, then why not tackle Constitution Hill to the rear of MRBH. It takes a good hour power walk from MRBH up to the top and return.
Runners may be interested in timing themselves on this 12% incline and comparing their run with others on this competitive Strava segment.
Pic: Instagram @jackson.groves
Fishing
There are a few different ways to fish at Snellings. You can fish off the beach for mullet or salmon, beach launch your own dinghy (swell permitting) in search of King-George Whiting or flathead or try your luck for some tommy ruff or brim in the river.
Pic: Instagram @swannysa
Gastromonomo Dining Experience
Between December and April, our talented neighbours put on the most magical dining experience you could ever imagine. Dine literally under the canopy of the enchanted 120-year old fig tree for a degustation long-lunch you will never forget! All sourced with local produce and matching wines. Bookings essential.
Pic: Instagram @adelady
Goannas
Rosenbergs are the only goanna on Kangaroo Island. This species was once common over a large portion of southern Australian, but their numbers have declined so drastically that Rosenberg's are now listed as vulnerable to threatened on the mainland. You will see them slowly crossing the red dirt roads, so as always, be careful driving on these unsealed roads.
Hooded Plovers
Hooded plovers are a small beach nesting shorebird, with a distinctive black hood and throat. Despite hooded plovers being widespread around the entire KI coastline, the species is listed nationally as vulnerable, with less than 800 of these birds in South Australia and only 7000 in Australia (Landscape SA Kangaroo Island). These birds nest above the high-tide line, so please do not drive or walk above above this line so you don’t accidentally step on a nest.
Pic @RickDawson via Landscape SA KI Website
Kangaroos
The Kangaroo Island Kangaroo is a sub-species of the Western Grey Kangaroo. There are plenty of these furry friends that live in the valleys surrounding MRBH that you will most likely see at dawn and dusk feeding on the best green pick they can find.
Pic: Instagram @quentinchester
Kayaking on Middle River
When the north/west wind is up on the beach at Snellings, the sand dunes provide shelter against the wind. A great activity option is to explore the twists and turns of Middle River as it winds its way along the floodplain back towards Middle River Homestead.
Kangaroo Island Short-Beaked Echidna
The Kangaroo Island Short-Beaked Echidna is an endangered short stocky animal covered in sharp spines or spikes on its back and sides. Here is one foraging on the flats in front of Middle River Beach House.
Red-Tailed Glossy Black Cocktatoos
The glossy black-cockatoo on Kangaroo Island is a separate sub-species to those found in eastern Australia and is classified as Endangered. The birds require high quality drooping sheoak woodland for foraging and large hollow-bearing eucalyptus for roosting and nesting habitat. This picture was taken at the top of Constitution Hill behind MRBH in March 2020.
Scenic Views
Two thirds of the way up the top of Constitution Hill there is a lookout that has stunning views over Middle River meandering through the floodplains and joining the sea at Snelling Beach. MRBH is the house on the far right pictured. Come up here for some great happy holiday snaps.
Scuba Diving
The North Coast of Kangaroo Island is home to some 270 different fish species along with seals and dolphins. Diving either East or West of Snellings up against the cliffs, diving enthusiasts will may see Blue-lip Gropers, Boarfish, Crayfish, Harlequin, Sweep and the odd seal.
Searching for Crabs
During low tide, kids love searching the rockpools located at the western end of the beach for baby crabs and other tiny critters.
Surfing
Snellings as a northwest facing beach receives waves averaging over 1m, which maintain a 100m wide surf zone dominated by four beach rips and permanent rips against the rocks at each end. When the surf is below 1m, Snellings is a perfect beach to learn to surf.
Swimming
Snellings is a stunning white sandy beach with crystal clear waters. It is moderately safe under normal low waves, however strong rips can develop when waves exceed 1m, particularly along the central and western section of the beach. With 660m of beach, there is plenty of room to setup your beach camp for the day!
Pic Instagram@saltythebus