Info on kangaroo island

[JBJ21]

Hi all

We are heading over to south Australia during the christmas break,spending 4 nights in Clare Valley and then we have 6 days spare before we head off to Victor Harbour. We are wondering where would be the best place in Kangaroo island to stay we are looking at a caravan park our thoughts are Kingscote would appreciate some input.

[Bird]

Dunno, but whats the cost to get there? 6 odd yrs ago bloke in my club looked at going there and had to mortgage the house to get there, is it still the same?

[JBJ21]

From what we have found on the net ferry across with camper $236 return my wife is planning to ring today. I know if you book at a caravan park you can get a discount on the ferry.

[Tom]

Hi all

We are heading over to south Australia during the christmas break,spending 4 nights in Clare Valley and then we have 6 days spare before we head off to Victor Harbour. We are wondering where would be the best place in Kangaroo island to stay we are looking at a caravan park our thoughts are Kingscote would appreciate some input.

kingscote was our preference 2 years ago,we enjoyed it , non powered down the back.
Didn,t know the parks could help with the ferry fare  anymore,be a bonus if they can.
$236 return sounds cheap to me ,grab it if you can.
be aware that the island is pricey.
have fun.
Cheers.
Titch

[Bird]

I know if you book at a caravan park you can get a discount on the ferry.

that depends on the prices at the van park I suppose!

[Mace]

see this link:

http://www.sealink.com.au/specials/caravan-special-offers/

You have to book the Caravan Park via Sealink.

 

[Bird]

see this link:

http://www.sealink.com.au/specials/caravan-special-offers/

You have to book the Caravan Park via Sealink.

Conditions apply. $120 saving based on 2 adults travelling on the ferry with own car and caravan or camper trailer (must be a van that you can sleep in) and booking a minimum 1 night at a powered caravan site at either KI Shores Caravan Park, Penneshaw or Kingscote Tourist Park and Family Units, Kingscote.
This offer is valid from 1st April 2012 - 31st March 2013. Accommodation packages are available on reques



Edit: random date out of anus for 2 ad 2 kids car and trailer

[JBJ21]

We have booked one night at Penneshaw caravan park and four nights at Kingscote for $670 with ferry return.  And we did end up booking through sealink (well not me the other half some ones got to keep her busy while she is recovering from an ankle injury.

Thanks for all your advice happy to get some suggestions on what parts of Kangaroo island is worth going to see. And we have heard it can be expensive we will be well stocked with food and a few bottles of wine .

[Bird]

be interested to see how you find it when you get back.

[JBJ21]

Will post some pics and info we won't be going till after boxing day looking forward to some time of been very busy this year.

[Paul (SA)]

It is a real joke that people cannot access KI for a cheaper rate. The ferry is very very expensive and even when they have special deals it only brings the price down slightly and often only with conditions attached.

It is a shame as it is a real nice place to visit - if $$ are an issue, then consider the many other awesome places nearby like Second Valley, Rapid Bay, Victor and Goolwa and down the Limestone Coast.

It's a rort in my opinion.

[Stozz]

We love Kangaroo Island. We've done a few trips there but they have only ever been short, tacked onto other things in SA and never with the camper. It is definitely on our list to go back and explore with the KK and our tinny.  The ferry fees are ridiculous, but there's no other way to get your gear over there.

Highlights for us were Seal Bay, Pennington Bay, Cape de Couedic lighthouse (and the south coast generally), the pies at the roadhouse in the middle of the island, Emu Bay and Shep's (Art) Studio. The nightly guided tour for the penguin parade over the road from the pub in Penneshaw is a bit naff/touristy but the penguins are cool. We didnt make it to the Emu Bay Lavendar Farm but supposed to be good.

Make sure you go to Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch and Kelly Hill Caves.

Parndana Wildlife Park was just like other wildlife parks - good if you have little kids with you.  The west end of the island generally is spectacular. There was a big bushfire last time we were there which limited access a bit.

The north coast of the island is magic: protected bays, clear water, great views.  You can do a boat or kayak tour also.

Here are a few links to Kangaroo Island info on our blog (mostly photos).

http://teamstozz.com/2009/10/20/kangaroo-island-sea-lions-and-fur-seals/

http://teamstozz.com/2009/10/20/kangaroo-island-beach-combing/

http://teamstozz.com/2009/10/20/kangaroo-island-surf-on-the-south-coast/

[LucyJ]

It's all worth seeing! We're starting our Australia trip by spending a week there at a friends shack. Most roads are pretty accessible now they have bitumenised a lot. There is a lot to see without spending a lot of money. Places like Seal Bay (where you take a guided walk on the beach through a colony of sea lions) is pretty expensive but it's a beautiful spot and chance to get up some gorgeous creatures. Kelly Hill Caves are probably in the same boat, bit expensive but worth it.

There is a parks pass you can buy which I haven't used but if you want visit everything, it might work out well.

Remarkable rocks, admirals arch, numerous lighthouses, stokes bay (you walk from a pebble beach through a cave to a beautiful white sand beach with a swimming lagoon).
There are many farms, foodie spots etc on the inland area.

I can't help with the caravan park options, I have really only stayed with friends or in holiday units etc.

I'm getting excited just thinking about it! I love it over there.... if you love amazing natural sites, you'll love it too!

[JBJ21]

Thanks guys for the tips yeah agree the ferry is a little expensive but it sure seems worth it. We are hoping to do few day trips from Kingscote.

[GeoffNeal]

Another option if you are pretty well self sufficient are the council run campsites that are dotted around the island, they all have toilets and shelter sheds with gas BBQ and for the princely sum of $5 a night they are really good value

[Bird]

It is a real joke that people cannot access KI for a cheaper rate

Same with Tassie...

It is a shame as it is a real nice place to visit - if $$ are an issue, then consider

I've wanted to go there for yonks. But just too rich for me even with their awesomely huge generous $100 discount.

New Zealand is not much more... and much nicer sadly.

[cheif carlos]

would recommend Western River Cove (toilet only no showers) if you like fishing. camp ground isn't great and is small (about 20 people) and getting into I think one way (from the west) says no trailers.caravans etc but if you know what your doing could put a semi down it the east route not sure it was the way out but the water there was crystal clear and protected from the elements.

recommend all lighthouses (use the parks pass which lets you do the tours) but Cape Willoughby for tours as they (the ranger/guide) refused to run it because there was 1 less person there than they required to conduct the tours even though we where going to stay in the lighthouse keepers hut which included 2 tickets for the tour - which meant 2 extra paying tickets not used.

we camped at American River camp ground had hot showers, toilets and didn't use a tank of fuel in the week and a bit tripping around to see everything.

ASK YOU FRIENDS, NEIGHBOURS, WORKCOLLEGES if they know anyone who lives there as I think from memory we travelled over for around (heaps cheap) as we where visiting one of the wifes work colleges we did see them once in 10 days when we ran into them at the local club (in a shed) at American River, all the locals from there where real good and helpful too

Cheers

[JBJ21]

Thanks for the info chiel Carlos a bit harsh by the  ranger especially when you have limited time on the island. We really appreciate every ones information really looking forward to it.