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RTW: Kangaroo Island
Once I hit Australia's south coast, I kept hearing about Kangaroo Island. Tourists and locals would both rave about the place, even those who hadn't yet been there. It didn't take much to convince me, since any island with an animal in its name will get a visit from me.
It's not a budget destination by any stretch. Just getting to and from the island, via bus and ferry, from Adelaide will put you out close to $100. One of the most affordable ways to do it is with a tour so I joined up with Surf 'n Sun Tours to see KI.
I took the two-day tour to the island which left Adelaide bright and early on the first day. The cost, $349, covers your transportation to the island (including ferry) and on the island and back again, one night accommodation, meals, park entrance fees, and colourful commentary along the way.
We hit up a bunch of beaches, including what has been scientifically proven to be Australia's best - Vivonne Bay. I think I've seen nicer but I didn't include current measurements in my assessment.
The wildlife was the highlight and included sea lions, fur seals, kangaroos, penguins, a koala and an echidna. The small island also has a random collection of geographical wonders including Little Sahara, a sand dune where some sandboarding went down; the Remarkable Rocks, a collection of huge, weathered granite boulders resting atop a rocky outcrop above the ocean; and Admiral's Arch, another weathered formation, this time a seaside cave carved out over time, now a resting spot for New Zealand fur seals.
The tour company has its own house on the island where the tours spend the night, complete with a kitchen, a campfire pit, didgeridoos, as well as a pine-cone hunting dog named Stella and a cat named Boo.
It was a jam-packed two days, and I could have spent longer. Talk to the folks at YHA Travel to get the best deals on going to KI.
YHA has a hostel on Kangaroo Island, some of the only budget accommodation you'll find. Rumour has it little penguins live in the hostel gardens, but there's only one way to find out.
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