Shipwrecks

Since the first recorded shipwreck in 1847, over 50 ships have been lost around the coast of Kangaroo Island, many with loss of life. The largest vessel to be wrecked off the coast was the 5,800 tonne Portland Maru in 1935, which began taking water near Cape du Couedic before sinking close to Cape Torrens. One of the more notable, tragic events occurred to the Loch Vennachar, which sailed into cliffs on the west coast in 1905 with the loss of all 27 crew. Only one body was found and buried, unidentified, in the sandhills of West Bay.
To view the Shipwrecks of Kangaroo Island, please download the 'KI Shipwrecks Trail' brochure.