Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ALL CREATURES GREAT & SMALL
You bump into a lot of wildlife on KI (sometimes literally). Kangaroos, wallabies,
bandicoots and possums come out at night, especially in wilderness areas such as
Flinders Chase National Park. Koalas and the platypus were introduced to Flinders
Chase in the 1920s when it was feared they would become extinct on the mainland.
Echidnas mooch around in the undergrowth, while goannas and tiger snakes keep
KI suitably scaly.
Of the island's 267 bird species, several are rare or endangered. One species −
the dwarf emu − has gone the way of the dodo. Glossy black cockatoos may soon
follow it out the door due to habitat depletion.
Offshore, dolphins and southern right whales are often seen cavorting in the
waves, and there are colonies of little penguins, New Zealand fur seals and Australi-
an sea lions here too.
4
Sleeping
KI accommodation is expensive, adding insult to your wallet's injury after the pricey
ferry ride. Self-contained cottages, B&Bs and beach houses charge from $150 per night
per double (usually two-night minimum stay). There are some great camp sites around
the island though, plus a few midrange motels. Quality caravan parks and hostels are
scarce. Accommodation booking services include:
Gateway Visitor
Information Centre
ACCOMMODATION SERVICES
OFFLINE MAP
(
1800 811 080;
www.tourkangarooisland.com.au/accommodation
)
Kangaroo Island Holiday
Accommodation
ACCOMMODATION SERVICES
(
08 8553 9007;
www.kangarooislandholidayaccommodation.com.au
)
Sealink
ACCOMMODATION SERVICES
(
8
Information
The main Gateway Visitor Information Centre (
Click here
) is in Penneshaw. There are
ATMs in Kingscote and Penneshaw.
Kangaroo Island Hospital
(
08-8553 4200;
