The Lily May Suite

The Lily May was a small wooden sailing yawl cutter built by Henry Chant at Birkenhead, Port Adelaide circa 1870 that serviced the postal run between Kangaroo Island and the mainland between 1870 and 1880, by Harry Bates.

Harry Bates was a farmer and contractor carrying the mail across Backstairs Passage in the Lily May and operated Surbiton House as a boarding house, (located behind Cove Landing).
For that payment Harry was contracted to carry mail from the Talisker silver-lead mine, six miles from Cape Jervis to Cygnet River once a fortnight for £98. He walked six miles from Cape Jervis to Talisker and back again and then sailed the Lily May to Hog Bay where the mail was sorted. He then rode his horse Champion to Cygnet River to deliver the mail in waterproof saddle bags. The Lily May was named after Harry’s daughter.

You’re right on the Marina and Christmas Cove and looking out to sea across Backstairs Passage – perfect for boating and Penneshaw is so perfectly located for golf, swimming, sunbathing or surfing. You can spend the day at Hog Bay Beach, walking the beautiful cliffside past Bates Cottage, or numerous day walks and trips to the many iconic sites to experience Kangaroo Islands’ world-acclaimed wine, spirits and food produce.