A new era of travel to Kangaroo Island is drawing closer, with SeaLink officially christening the first of its two new ferries following a $57 million investment in the essential island service.
Wanggami was formally christened in Port Adelaide on Thursday, July 30, giving guests their first look inside the larger vessel and its upgraded passenger lounges, café, sundeck and dedicated pet area. Glam Adelaide filmed a first look below (or view it on Facebook here, or Instagram here).
The ferry is the first of two identical vessels that will operate between Cape Jervis and Penneshaw, alongside sister ship Ruwi.
The names Wanggami, meaning Kangaroo, and Ruwi, meaning Land, recognise the cultural heritage of Cape Jervis and Kangaroo Island. They have been used with the permission of the Ngarrindjeri people and acknowledge their continuing connection to the region through language.
More than 100 guests attended the christening, including Kangaroo Island community leaders, tourism operators, government representatives and other project partners.
The ceremony began with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony led by Elders Susan Dixon and Mark Koolmatrie before the vessel was blessed by Father David Still of St Paul’s Port Adelaide.
Kelsian Group Chair Fiona Hele then officially christened Wanggami by breaking a bottle of Kangaroo Island’s Dudley Bubbly sparkling wine across its bow, following the maritime tradition of wishing the vessel and its passengers safe passage.
While the ceremony marked an important milestone, it was the first look inside Wanggami that revealed how different the future journey to Kangaroo Island could feel.
The vessel includes spacious passenger lounges with several seating options, large-format windows and a larger café positioned centrally within the ferry.
Passengers will also be able to access a spacious outdoor sundeck, while travellers bringing animals will have the use of a dedicated pet lounge.
Accessibility has been incorporated throughout the design, with lifts connecting all three decks and accessible amenities available on every level.
SeaLink South Australia General Manager Tracy Croft said the new vessels would strengthen a service relied upon by residents, businesses, freight operators and visitors.
“These new vessels will strengthen that service through greater operational flexibility, more daily sailings and a modern, more comfortable and accessible journey for our customers,” Ms Croft said.
“After years of planning, it’s wonderful to see Wanggami officially christened and one step closer to commencing service.”
Wanggami and Ruwi are each 60 metres long and 20 metres wide, making them approximately 10 metres longer and two metres wider than SeaLink’s existing ferries.
The additional space provides about 150 metres more vehicle lane length across eight lanes.
A drive-through design will allow vehicles to enter and exit in the same direction, removing the need to turn around onboard and helping SeaLink load and unload the ferry more safely and quickly.
The shorter turnaround times are also expected to support more daily departures and provide greater flexibility when moving passengers, commercial vehicles and freight between the mainland and Kangaroo Island.
Kelsian Group Chief Operating Officer Graeme Legh said the investment was intended to secure the future of the service and provide the capacity needed to support Kangaroo Island for decades.
Following the official ceremony, guests toured the vessel’s passenger areas, bridge and engine room for a behind-the-scenes look at the ferry before it begins carrying passengers.
Further information about the new Kangaroo Island ferry service, including vessel features, schedules and fares, is available through the SeaLink website here.
