FERRY YOUR WAY TO GREAT FISHING For 50 years people have dreamt of crossing the Spencer Gulf, linking the Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas west of Adelaide, and two of the greatest fishing destinations in South Australia. With the December 2006 launch of Sea SA’s car and passenger ferry service from Wallaroo to Lucky Bay, an environmentally sound and speedy alternative to the lengthy road trip around the Gulf has finally arrived. The company’s first ferry, the world-class Sea Scape, offers a two hour crossing up to three times daily for 60 vehicles (including 4WDs, trailers and caravans) and 200 passengers. A second ferry, custom-built for Gulf conditions, Sea Spirit, is now being developed, to carry 95 vehicles and 300 seated passengers in comfort, safety and style. Managing Director, Stephanie Dawson says, “With 531 serious accidents recorded in the last four years on South Australian roads, we are thrilled to be able to give drivers the option of slashing three and a half hours of drive time from their journeys. Instead of navigating road-trains and potholes, they can sit back in our onboard air-conditioned café, enjoy real coffee, watch TV and check out the bay conditions.” It’s an idea that’s catching on. Just recently, Sea SA celebrated the carriage of its 50,000th passenger and 20,000th car, a mere eight months after its start-up. Encouraged by the positive response, the company has now launched Sea SA Getaways, offering package holidays which combine accommodation, tours, ferry travel and other key regional attractions, such as fishing charters. “Since the introduction of the ferry, new possibilities for drive/cruise tours taking in both peninsulas have been created,” explained Sea SA Getaways Reservations Consultant, Nichole Yeoward. “We aim to deliver a one-stop-shop for customized drive/cruise holiday packages to meet every taste and budget. We can save people time and money by doing the shopping around and reservations for them, so there are no nasty surprises or hidden costs during the holiday. And of course, we throw in discounted ferry travel as part of every Getaways package,” she said. “There is so much on offer in regional SA for people to enjoy, from every kind of accommodation and dining experience through to national parks, whale watching, diving, wineries and of course spectacular fishing,” Nichole said. With famous fishing destinations like Port Lincoln, Coffin Bay, Marion Bay and more, it’s not surprising that the peninsulas are widely regarded as the seafood capital of Australia. Sea SA Getaways offers a number of fishing charters, where Snapper, Whiting, Nannigi, Harlequin, Mulloway, Trevally and crabs are abundant. Visits to oyster and fish farms can also be arranged, via Australia’s unique Seafood and Aquaculture Trail which spans the Eyre Peninsula, providing opportunities to see, sample and buy the fresh-caught fare direct from local suppliers. For further information visit www.seasagetaways.com.au