Sea SA ferry: With Ron in the Eyre Peninsula region of South Australia
Ron: It had been talked about for decades but despite the best intentions of people on two peninsulas the prospect of a ferry remained largely a mirage. But now after more than a year of operation its popularity is well established.
It's a quick and convenient way of bridging the waters of Spencer Gulf between Wallaroo on the Yorke Peninsula and Lucky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula.
We caught up with the Sea Scape One as it made its way into Wallaroo. A crowd of expectant passengers had gathered ready for their trip across Spencer Gulf. It's a relatively short trip but one that's been decades in the planning.
Come harvest time, the big carriers pull into Wallaroo to pick up grain harvested on farms all over Yorke Peninsula. At other times, it's a quiet fishing town where the locals are usually assured a feed of whiting, tommies or gar from the main wharf.
But now a new player has entered the market ferrying a new commodity across the water - tourists.
Sue Cassidy, Sea SA Ferries: "A good crossing and fast crossing. We're running three return trips a day - three from Wallaroo and three from Lucky Bay."
Ron: The Sea Scape One is registered in Brisbane - a long way from the waters of Spencer Gulf. The company's Queensland directors saw a market here having successfully introduced ferry services to Stradbroke Island off the coast of Brisbane and other ferries both here and in Victoria.
Sue: "One of our directors, Stuart Ballantine also set up the Sealink operation down at Cape Jervis and a third company between Sorrento and Queenscliff. So he's quite visionary. I first read the feasibility study back in 1990 so he's been working at it since then."
Ron: Passenger boat trips across Spencer Gulf are nothing new. Back in the 1950s the famous Gulf Trips were all the rage with vessels like the Rupena, the Moonta and the Karratta plying the waters between Adelaide and Port Lincoln and taking in other towns like Kingscote on Kangaroo Island and Edithburgh on the eastern side of Yorke Peninsula. They were romantic cruises for young honeymooners and young families - a very different getaway for a very different time.
Now the blue waters of Spencer Gulf again mesmerise boatloads of holidaymakers. Up on the bridge skipper, Gordon Foster constantly receives updated information. This part of the gulf is only twelve metres deep but that's plenty of water for the occasional pod of dolphins to cross our path.
To book your trip across to Lucky Bay on Eyre Peninsula call 8823 0777 or log onto their website.
Sea SA has just recently updated its fleet with the introduction of the purpose built Sea Spirit... with 70 percent greater vehicle carrying capacity. We'll give you the grand tour of this new $16 million ferry later in the year.
Sea SA Ferry
1 Heritage Drive
Wallaroo
Bookings: 8823 0777
www.seasa.com.auPublished 9th March 2008
