Looking for trails open after the bushfires?
5 Feb 2020: Kangaroo Island was devasted by bushfire in January 2020. Some parks and trails remain closed. View our article of 13 walking trails open post-bushfire.
- Distance
- 3 km circuit
- Duration
- 2 hour loop
- Type
- Self-guided heritage walk with brochure
- Suitable for
- Walking, Get to by public transport
- Easy
- Terrain
- Undulating
- Region
- Kangaroo Island
- Download maps & GPS files
- 1 map PDF
- Photos
- 4 photosJump to Photos section
- Travel options
- Bus
- Car
About the Historical walk
George Bates, called Fireball because of his red hair, was one of the first settlers to Kangaroo Island. He joined a sealing expedition in 1823, jumping ship in Kangaroo Island 13 years before settlers arrived.
The trail begins at the Kangaroo Island Gateway Visitor Information Centre and loops down to near the ferry and back. There are interpretive signs along the way. It is an easy walk of 3km and takes 1-2 hours to complete. A walk brochure, “Penneshaw Walks” is available for $4.50 from the Post Office (or Kangaroo Island Gateway Visitor Information Centre – which as at Feb 2020 is currently closed).
Photos
The town well, dug in 1880. It was lined with whalte bones and old ship timber. It was originally equipped with a whip hoist to raise water to a trough made from a burnt-out gum log.
Grimshaws Corner was part of New Town, which arose after a jetty was built near the current jetty, replacing the landing area at Christmas Cove. Grimshaws Corner was named after one of the first storekeepers.
The Fireball Bates Trail begins and ends at the Visitor Centre