Adelaide & South Australia - Australia 2004 - page 512

An Island Bargain
I'd advise buying an NP&WSA Island Pass if you'll be exploring the island
on your own for 3 days or more and visiting the National Park and attrac-
tions more than once. It costs A$32 (US$21) for adults, A$23 (US$15) for
children, and A$84 (US$55) for families, and includes guided tours of Seal
Bay, Kelly Hill Caves, Cape Borda, and Cape Willoughby. The pass also
includes access to Flinders Chase National Park. The pass doesn't cover
penguin tours or camping fees.

Tips

( & 1800/088 296 in Australia, or 08/8553 2390; fax [phone]), and
Wheels over Kangaroo Island ( & 1800/750 850 in Australia, or 08/8553 3030;
[e-mail]). You can pick up cars at the airport or ferry terminals.
ORGANIZED TOURS If you want to keep expenses down, you can't go
wrong with one of the tours organized by Penneshaw Youth Hostel, 43 North
Terrace, Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island, SA 5222 ( & 08/8553 1284; fax 08/8553
1295; www.ki-ferryconnections.com/yha_hostel/yha_hostel.). The most popu-
lar includes an afternoon pickup from the main bus station in Adelaide, coach
and ferry to the island, a penguin tour that evening, and dorm accommodations
(you can pay a little extra to upgrade to a double room, but book ahead). The
next day involves 10 hours of touring, taking in most of the main attractions.
That evening you return to Adelaide. The tour costs A$220 (US$143).
More expensive options include a tour by Kangaroo Island Wilderness
Tours ( & 08/8559 5033; www.wildernesstours.com.au), which operates from
the island with several small four-wheel-drive vehicles (maximum six people).
Three different one-day trips cost between A$270 and A$290 (US$176-
US$189) per person, including transfers, an excellent lunch with wine, and park
entry fees. Two-, 3-, and 4-day trips, with all meals and accommodations
included, cost A$710 (US$461), A$1,150 (US$745), and A$1,590 (US$1,033)
per person, respectively.
Another excellent operator based on the island is Adventure Charters of
Kangaroo Island, Playford Highway, Cygnet River, SA 5223 ( & 08/8553
9119; www.adventurecharters.com.au), with the knowledgeable and gregarious
Craig Wickham at the helm. Day trips cost A$272 (US$177) a day with a
big lunch, or A$501 (US$325) for a 1-day safari including flights from and to
Adelaide.
Another option is with Wayward Bus ( & 08/8410 8833; www.wayward
bus.com.au) from Adelaide. Two-day trips depart Monday, Wednesday, and Sat-
urday and cost A$365 (US$237) in hostel accommodations (you can pay extra
for an upgrade).
EXPLORING THE ISLAND
The island is bigger than you might think, and you can spend a fair bit of time
getting from one place of interest to the next. Of the many places to see on the
island, Flinders Chase National Park is one of the most important. First
port of call should be the Flinders Chase Visitors Centre where you can purchase
park entry, view the interpretive display, dine at the licensed cafe, purchase sou-
venirs, and obtain Parks information. It took 30 years of lobbying until reluc-
tant politicians finally agreed to preserve this western region of the island
in 1919. Today, it makes up around 17% of the island and is home to true