Vivonne Bay, South Australia

Vivonne Bay is located on the south coast of Kangaroo Island, South Australia, 61 km. from Kingscote, the Island's main town, and was named by the French explorer Nicolas Baudin who visited the bay in January 1803. [cite book|title=What's in a name? Nomenclature of South Australia|author=Rodney Cockburn|date=1908, revised 1984|publisher=Fergusson Publications]

Vivonne Bay is characterised by its long, sandy beach and the jetty which is used extensively by cray fishermen for off-loading of their catch. The middle portion of the jetty was removed during the Second World War as a deterrent to enemy ships wishing to embark on the Island.

Immediately above the jetty is the town of Vivonne, a government proclaimed township of originally sixteen allotments. However, all but four allotments were ultimately resumed by the Crown as reserve.

An estate of 220 allotments was established in 1963 adjoining the Harriet River. In 1979, every esplanade allotment was compulsorily acquired by the Crown and is now classified as reserve.

In a survey of 10,000 beaches by Professor Andrew Short, director of Sydney University's marine studies centre, the beach at Vivonne Bay was adjudged as the best in Australia. [cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200204/s540745.htm|author=ABC news|accessdate=2007-07-12|title=Vivonne Bay judged Australia's best beach|date=26 April 2002] Vivonne Bay is however recognised as having a significant undertow [cite web|accessdate=2007-07-15|title=Vivonne Bay|author=TotalTravel.com|url=http://www.totaltravel.com.au/travel/sa/kangarooisland/kingscote/guide/vivonne-bay] and at times a sizeable swell, and is therefore more suited to experienced swimmers.

There is a general store, whilst Kangaroo Island SeaLink runs an outdoor education facility a short distance from the bay and Harriet River. A camping ground is located near the Harriet River. [cite web|url=http://www.kangarooisland.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=234|author=Kangaroo Island Council|accessdate=2007-07-12|title=Vivonne Bay]

Serious fires on Kangaroo Island in December 2007 threatened the Harriet River township and came extremely close to the Outdoor Education Facility, with residents forced to evacuate the area as the Country Fire Service determined the area was difficult to defend. While only one house was destroyed, residents in the area were labelled "foolish and reckless" for not adequately clearing vegetation around their homes. [cite web|title=Foley slams slack residents|date=8 December 2007|accessdate=2008-02-07|url=http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22892413-5006301,00.html|publisher=Adelaide Now]

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