Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third largest island. It is a very quiet place with lots of wildlife, sand dunes, eucapypt forest and scrub land, cliffs and lighthouses. The south coast is most spectacular. Seal Bay Consrvation Park has a sea lion colony. There are regular tours from the ranger station. Cost $8. Phone 8482 8233?

Flinders Chase National Park is on the island. The national Parks and Wildlife Service operates a number of tours here and to other places on the island.

Petrol and food is scarce outside the few small towns.

Information

The National Parks and Wildlife Service office is at 37 Dauncey St, Kingscote. Open 8.45am to 5pm weekdays. A $20 island pass covers National Park entry fees, camping fees and a number of organised tours. Phone 8553 2381.

Kangaroo Island Gateway Visitor Information Centre is on Kingscote Road just ouside Penneshaw. Open 9am to 5pm weekdays, 10am to 4pm weekends. Phone 8553 1185.

Getting to Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island Sealink runs regular vehicular ferries across from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu peninsula to Penneshaw and take one hour. One way fares are cars $65, passengers $30, motorbike $20, bicycles $5. Phone 131301. Their bus service from Adelaide meets the ferry $14.

Kangaroo Island Express Ferries runs a fast paseenger ferry from the Adelaide suburb of Glenelg to Kingscote daily except August. The voyage takes 2 1/2 hours and costs $43. Phone 8261 1111.

Kendell Airlines (phone 131300), Albatross Airlines (phone 8553 2296) and Emu Air (phone 8234 3711) have flights from Adelaide to Kingscote airport at least once daily. One way fare is $60 to $82. Their is an airport bus from Kingscote airport to town 14km away for $10. Albatross Airlines has a free transfer to town for its passengers.

Getting Around Kangaroo Island

Sea Link Shuttle buses meet most ferries and run between Penneshaw to Kingscote for $11. Phone 131301. Book ahead.

Cars, motorbikes and scooters can be hired from Kingscote. Distances between attractions are long and local transport is nonexistant, so some transport of your own is essential to see the sites.

Kingscote (population 1500)

Guides takes walks to view penguins coming ashore after dark. Tours depart from the Ozone Hotel. Cost $5.

Pelican feeding is at the wharf at 4pm.

Kangaroo Island Central Backpackers Hostel at 19 Murray St has dorm beds for $14 and twin/double for $37. Phone 8553 2787. Small kitchen.

Nomads Ellson’s Seaview Guesthouse on Chapman Tce has dorm beds for $18, single $20, double $36. Phone 8553 2030.

Penneshaw (population nominal)

ranger guides take visitors to view penguins coming ashore after dark in the sand dunes and cliffs nearby. Cost $25.

Penguin Walk Hostel is pleasant. Dorm beds $14, twin $??. Kitchen.

Penneshaw Youth Hostel on North Tce has dorm beds for $14. Phone 8553 1284. Cafe.

Where to go Next

Return to the Fleurieu Peninsula and Adelaide.