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“Charlie Bates Cottage”

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Exterior
Sun-loungers, beach towels
2 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, bed sheets
Outdoor dining
Bathtub, hair dryer, towels, soap

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Air-conditioning
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue

Explore the area

View map
Penneshaw, SA
  • Place, Penneshaw Penguin Centre
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Kangaroo Island Farmers Market
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Sealink Ferry Terminal
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Airport, Kangaroo Island, SA (KGC-Kingscote)
    ‪35 min drive‬

Room options

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About the area

Penneshaw

When you stay at this cottage in Penneshaw, you'll be by the sea, within a 15-minute walk of Sealink Ferry Terminal and Kangaroo Island Farmers Market. .This cottage is 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from Baudin Conservation Park and 1 mi (1.7 km) from Kangaroo Island Gateway Visitor Information Centre - Penneshaw.

What's nearby

  • Penneshaw Penguin Centre - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Kangaroo Island Farmers Market - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Sealink Ferry Terminal - 12 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Kangaroo Island Gateway Visitor Information Centre - Penneshaw - 20 min walk - 1.7 km
  • Kangaroo Island Sealink - 58 min drive - 19.4 km

Getting around

  • Kangaroo Island, SA (KGC-Kingscote) - 39 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Penneshaw Hotel - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Fat Beagle Coffee Shop - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Millie Mae's Pantry - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Fire and Smoke Ki - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Dudley Wines - ‬13 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

“Charlie Bates Cottage”

Charlie Bates Cottage is an original stone settlers cottage (circa 1905) and an iconic part of Penneshaw's history.
Sitting high on the hill proudly keeping watch over beautiful Hog Bay and the quaint township of Penneshaw.
Under new ownership since October 2021 and faithfully restored.

Once the only homestead on a large landholding in Penneshaw, the cottage still remains today even though the town has been been significantly populated....in Kangaroo Island terms that is!
Nestled on a large, sloping block she boasts magnificent ocean views, is conveniently located only 2 minutes from the Sealink ferry terminal and a very short walk to the safe swimming beach at the end of the road.

Charlie's has been lovingly restored and refurbished to provide our guests with all the conveniences you need to experience a truly memorable holiday.
We offer the perfect base for couples and friends travelling together so you can experience the very best that Kangaroo Island has to offer from the comfort of somewhere that feels like home.

A modern extension to the original settler's cottage consists of a fully equipped kitchen including a full size fridge/freezer, microwave, quality kitchenware, a dining area with ocean views, laundry (with washing machine and clothes dryer), spacious heated bathroom with separate shower and clawfoot bath. These facilities and our wonderful location combine to make this unique piece of Kangaroo Island's history the ideal base for your getaway.

Perhaps you are looking for the ultimate romantic getaway, somewhere to share a special weekend away, propose to your partner or a charming and private honeymoon destination.

Grab beach towels and head off on an easy 3 minute walk to the end of the street to spend the day having a fantastic family experience swimming and building sandcastles on one of the safest swimming beaches on the Island, Hog's Bay. Dolphins frequent the bay and you might be lucky enough to spot a seal swimming in the waters around the jetty.

Have a day off from touring and watch a selection on great movies from our extensive DVD library, read a book, play board games or simply relax on the verandah with your favourite glass of wine and watch the sun set over the ocean or the comings and goings of the ferries..

You will delight in the opportunity to view the kangaroos, wallabies that frequent the lawns around the cottage at night. An intimate wildlife experience for all of our guests.

The Penneshaw Penguin Centre is located just a short walk around the bay and provides a fantastic opportunity to observe the local Fairy Penguins in their natural habitat and gain an insight into the life of these beautiful and mysterious seabirds.

Fire up the BBQ on the verandah and enjoy 180 degree views with your dinner, lunch or breakfast.

A picture book seaside village, Penneshaw is the ideal location for your stay on Kangaroo Island. Superb swimming beaches, stunning scenery, fantastic fishing, abundant wildlife and a well serviced town centre are just some of the attractions Penneshaw has to offer.

Just at the end of the road from Charlie's, Hog's Bay Beach is a great place to swim, see dolphins or the occassional seal at play and has excellent grassed BBQ facilities located near the Penguin Information Centre and ferry terminal. The centre is open most nights for tours featuring Penneshaw's cutest residents, the Little Fairy Penguins. Tammar wallabies roam the streets in the evening, stopping at Charlie's for a munch on the lawn or some fruit.

The Penneshaw Hotel offers quality meals with ocean views, or after a hard days touring if you don't feel like cooking or eating out, there are several take away options including a pizza and fish and chips.
Pack a picnic and stop at Chapman River on your way back from Cape Willoughby Lighthouse, sample wines and local produce at False Cape and Dudley Wineries or fish for the famed KI King George Whiting on the jetty. What ever your idea of the perfect Kangaroo Island holiday you're sure to find it at Charlies in Penneshaw.

With so much to see and do in the Penneshaw area, you could be tempted to never leave, but if you decide to discover everything the Island has to offer, all the Islands attractions are within an easy day's driving return trip from Charlie's. To ensure your safety, when planning day trips make sure you allow enough time to return home before dusk, as this when many of the Island's wildlife species become active.
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned cottage, featuring a kitchen with a full-sized refrigerator/freezer and an oven. There's a private balcony or patio. Conveniences include a microwave and a coffee/tea maker.
This smoke-free cottage features games, snorkeling nearby, and hiking/biking trails nearby. Recreational activities include kayaking nearby, sailing nearby, and scuba diving nearby.
Guests will find features like onsite parking.

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Freezer
  • Full-sized refrigerator/freezer
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • DVD player
  • Games
  • TV

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • No lift
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a village
  • Near the sea

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkelling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • No carbon monoxide detector or gas appliances (host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Property does not allow children

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM
Contactless check-in available

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

Pets not allowed
Note from host: Small Pets negotiable

Children and extra beds

This property does not allow children
Note from host: Babies negotiable, not suitable for children

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Strictly no parties or events
Host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

“Charlie Bates Cottage” Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 40 out of 43 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 43 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 43 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 43 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 43 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Dianne F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Needs internet.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026

10/10 Excellent

Gale H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful place to stay - it lacks for nothing. Beatifically rustic. Excellent communication from owner. Would highly recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2026

10/10 Excellent

Russ M.

Liked: Cleanliness
We had the best time on Kangaroo Island and it was all set up by staying in this beautiful cottage. It has everything and more! Clean, comfortable, and very spacious! Well definitely book again!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

JD M.

Liked: Cleanliness
A nice cottage at a convenient location.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Irene T.

Liked: Cleanliness
We had a lovely stay in Penneshaw with a lovely beach view. The location was great and so close to the ferry (for an easy arrival/departure)
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Maggie D.

Liked: Cleanliness
The cottage was pleasantly presented in a style suitable for building. The grounds could be developed further to provide a private outdoor area.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Yvette C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing location. Beautiful little cottage. Enjoyed our stay on KI.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Andrew D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Enjoyed our time here. Great view easy to get around. Comfortable and quiet.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Reginald John M.

Liked: Cleanliness
We Loved it ! The cottage was so well equipped and comfy. So Cosy and full of character. Easy to access, ideally located, nice and quiet, with magnificent views over "Backstairs Passage", watching the ferries and experiencing the sunrise and sunsets over the water.With Kingscote only 74 Km away, we had no problem accessing the main attractions of KI while enjoying the peace and quiet of the Cottage. It proved ideal for the week we spent on the Island.Sue our Host offered flexibility with our booking due to possible weather interruption to the ferry which we appreciated very much. Fortunately it wasn't necessary.We Loved "Charlie Bates Cottage !" Thankyou Sue.....
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Wendy E.

Liked: Cleanliness

Charlie Bates cottage

This cottage is gorgeous. Very well equipped we wanted for nothing. The view is spectacular and so handy to the ferry and local supermarket.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stacey W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful cottage! Had everything we needed, very thoughtful host. The beds were comfortable, the kitchen had everything you nees for cooking (even though we did not cook haha), and the view was spectacular. The cottage is beautifully decorated and quaint. We enjoyed seeing a wallaby in the yard when we returned each evening, and we appreciated the large dvd collection. Very close to ferry, coffee shop, grocery store, and restaurants. We were sad to leave Kangaroo Island. Thank you for providing such a lovely place to stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

geoff g.

Liked: Cleanliness

History combined with modern comfort

Well equipped and very comfortable house that captures the history and essence of Penneshaw. Ideally suited for mixed adult group.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Pauline F.

Liked: Cleanliness

Restful and idyllic escape

The ambience is welcoming and comfortable. Fantastic beds and love the visting wildlife. We didnt want to leave! Thank you!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Darrell N.

Liked: Cleanliness

K i getaway

We had a wonderful stay at Charlie’s cottage everything was perfect thank you Sue for your efforts we will recommend it to all our friends and families
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Scott N.

Liked: Cleanliness

A great house overlooking the ocean.

This is an excellent older house on the hillside overlooking the bay where the ferry arrives on Kangaroo Island. The view is fantastic and you can sit on your front porch and watch the kangaroos jump through the yard both day and night. The house is expansive and filled up with everything you could possibly want. Check in and check out couldn’t have been easier.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Carolyne T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Eric P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Lovely getaway

All you need is here to relax and enjoy. A wonderful home with sea views. Try the Lavender Farm scones and a visit to Dudley Wines is a must.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kirsteen M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Our stay in Penneshaw

We had a lovely stay at the cottage.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alison R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great position & Very Cute

Gorgeous cottage with lovely views and close to town and beach and bushwalking.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Gorgeous

Amazing location, mum and dad had a great stay at the cottage for their anniversary. The cottage was clean and had everything you could think of! The verandah had great views, and there were kangaroos that came to the property at night! Communication was perfect - thanks Sue :)
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bernadette J.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect base for KI exploring

We enjoyed our stay at Charlie Bates Cottage. It was a wonderful to come back and relax on the front verandah after our daily explorations to many locations on KI. Great viewing of the comings and goings of the ferry and also the cruise ship which called in. The Cottage is very well set up, comfortable and a pleasure to stay in.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

David and Sue R., Drummond Cove (Geraldton)

Liked: Cleanliness

Fantastic historic cottage

Lovely and comfortable with a great mix of new and old
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bill C.

Liked: Cleanliness

The best place in Peneshaw

Wonderful little heritage house. Beautiful views. Excellent furnishings and appliances.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ron H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Everything we needed

Great location. Well appointment ammenities.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Judith S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Delightful

Perfect place to stay. Had everything and more. Thank you.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024