Back in 2013, we had affordable options to get to the island. It was possible to book a fixed wing flight for $77 one way. Not only did you get to the island in 12 minutes, but you had the privilege of enjoying a fantastic scenic flight over pristine blue waters and coral reefs.
Arrival by boat was less stressful. Timing it right, you were welcomed to the open jetty adjacent to the runway and it was an easy unload onto the floating pontoon.
Sadly this jetty was not properly maintained and deteriorated until it was unusable. After the Head Lease was transferred in 2019, advice was sent out that a replacement jetty was being constructed at a new location outside the airstrip exclusion zone (adjacent to the current illegal boat ramp). There was no engineering design or development approval for the new jetty. Luckily, a resident was able to photograph the jetty two days after it was completed and just before it was completely destroyed in a mild northerly breeze. The use of shabby, second-hand materials for its construction seems incongruent for a company (Greaton Pty Limited) that prides itself on high-rise quality developments in the centre of Sydney and Adelaide.
In summary, there are NO fixed wing flights, NO jetty and hardly a boat ramp. Access to the island has been severely diminished since the new Head Lessee has taken over. There are public facilities which could be used, but Island Management (Greaton Keswick) have chosen to block these areas off as exclusion zones. The Head Lease clearly states that one of the purposes of the lease is AERODROME. This purpose is not being upheld and the Head Lessee is in breach. The only option is to unload on Basil Bay (not always ideal due to the prevailing SE wind and a long hike up the beach and beyond the esplanade to reach your buggy) or on the sub-standard and dangerous 'boat ramp'.
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