Discover American River

American River is a fishing village on Kangaroo Island. If you’re looking for a hotel in American River, walking trails, birdlife, fishing and oyster offerings may all factor into planning your days there. Highlights include the routes of the American River Town Walk, the ruins along the Fish Cannery Walking Trail and the rules for using Pelican Lagoon. You’ll also find specific information about possible catches and local oysters.

Walking Trails and History

The Fish Cannery Walking Trail is a loop of about 3 km that starts at the end of Scenic Drive and takes approximately 1.5 hours. It leads to the ruins of a fish cannery built in the late 1890s. The English name thus refers to the loop’s historic destination: “cannery” means a factory for preserving food in cans.

The American River Town Walk comprises a 7 km northern loop that includes the Fish Cannery Trail and a 7.5 km southern loop that includes the Independence Trail. The Fish Cannery Trail on its own is therefore shorter than either Town Walk loop; the northern and southern loops differ by 0.5 km. This lets you distinguish a shorter standalone loop from two longer options, each of which includes a named trail.

Birdlife and Water

Glossy Black-Cockatoos are often seen and heard feeding along the Fish Cannery Walking Trail. The trail offers a specific place to combine a walk with birdwatching. American River is also home to resident and migratory waders, including Pied Oystercatchers, Cape Barren Geese and Australian White Ibis.

Pelican Lagoon is on the shores of American River and is a marine sanctuary. Motorboats are prohibited there; kayaks and other non-motorised watercraft can be used. Check local signage before setting out.

Fishing and Oysters

Possible catches when fishing in American River include whiting, salmon trout, tommies, garfish, snook, flathead and sand crabs. When it comes to oysters, sales and farming are two distinct points of interest: the Blue Oyster Farm Gate Shop offers freshly shucked oysters, oysters in the shell, and fresh and frozen local seafood. KI Oysters is an oyster farm in the fishing village of American River on Kangaroo Island. The shop represents specific products, while KI Oysters represents oyster farming.

Other Local Points of Interest

There is a boat ramp beside the American River Campground, and a jetty is a two-minute walk away. The boat ramp and jetty are two separate landmarks. Check the campground’s facilities before booking, as they may change.

At the Rebuild Independence Project, visitors can learn about the vessels “Union” and “Independence” at the RIG Boathouse on American River Wharf. Check the current visiting conditions before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Gosse, Dudley East, Pelican Lagoon, Wisanger, Baudin Beach, Stokes Bay, Kingscote, Brown Beach

For the overarching travel guide: Kangaroo Island Council.