Adelaide & South Australia - Australia 2004 - page 511

Kangaroo Island. The trip takes 40 minutes and costs A$64 (US$42) round-trip
for adults, A$32 (US$21) for children 3 to 14, and A$138 (US$90) for cars.
Connecting bus service from Adelaide to Cape Jervis is provided at an extra
A$36 (US$23) for adults, and A$18 (US$12) for children round-trip. There are
some cheaper off-peak prices, but check when booking. Count on 3 hours
for the whole trip from Adelaide if you take the connecting bus. Bookings are
essential.
SeaLink also runs a range of island tours, including the 2-day/1-night “K.I.
coast to coast,” which costs from A$289 (US$188) per person twin share.
SeaLink also offers a wide range of accommodations, day tours, and adventure
activities and offers Adelaide hotel pickups for selected tours.
VISITOR INFORMATION Tourism Kangaroo Island, The Gateway Infor-
mation Centre, Howard Drive, Penneshaw (P.O. Box 336, Penneshaw, Kangaroo
Island, SA 5222; & 08/8553 1185; fax [phone]; www.tourkangarooisland.
com.au), has plenty of maps and information and can assist visitors with accom-
modations and island tours information. For more information on the island's
national parks, contact the National Parks and Wildlife South Australia
(NP & W SA) office, 39 Dauncey St. (P.O. Box 39), Kingscote, SA 5223
( & 08/8553 2381; fax [phone]), open Monday through Friday from
9am to 5pm.
In addition, hotel and motel staff generally carry a stack of tourist brochures
and can point you in the right direction as far as where to go and what to see.
ISLAND LAYOUT Kangaroo Island is Australia's third largest island, at 156km
(97 miles) long and 57km (35 miles) wide at its widest point. The distance across
the narrowest point is only 2km (1 1 ⁄ 4 miles). Approximately 3,900 people live on
the island. More than half live on the northeast coast in one of the three main
towns: Kingscote (pop. 1,800), Penneshaw (pop. 250), and American River
(pop. 200). The island's major attractions are located farther from the mainland:
Flinders Chase National Park is in the far west, Lathami Conservation Park is
on the north coast, and Seal Bay and Kelly's Caves are on the south coast.
GETTING AROUND Apart from a twice daily SeaLink bus service which
connects Kingscote, Penneshaw, and American River, there is no public trans-
port on the island. An Airport Shuttle Service ( & 1800/750 850 ) meets all
flights to Kangaroo Island and will take passengers to Kingscote, Emu Bay, and
American River. Return transfers from your accommodations to the airport
need to booked in advance. Kingscote shuttle costs A$10 (US$6.50) for adults
and A$5 (US$3.25) for children one-way. Emu Bay shuttle costs A$17 (US$11)
for adults and A$8 (US$5.20) for children one-way. American River shuttle
costs A$33 (US$21) for adults and A$15 (US$9.75) for children one way. The
shuttle drops off to Kingscote first (approx. 15 min. from airport), then Emu
Bay, then American River.
Major roads between Penneshaw, American River, Kingscote, and Parndana
are paved, as is the road to Seal Bay and all major roads within Flinders Chase
National Park. Most other roads are made of ironstone gravel, and can be very
slippery if corners are approached too quickly. All roads are accessible by two-
wheel-drive vehicles, but if you're bringing over a rental car from the mainland
make sure your policy allows you to drive on Kangaroo Island's roads. Avoid
driving at night—animals rarely fare best in a car collision.
Car-rental agencies on the island include Budget ( & 08/8553 3133 or 08/
8553 1034; fax [phone]), Hertz & Kangaroo Island Rental Cars