Anyone been to Kangaroo Island?
 

Did you take the ferry over to Kangaroo Island - would it be worth it to spend the night and did you go with a tour group?

Any budget hotels in the area and any off the beaten track things to do?

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks

I've been twice. The first trip was a one-day tour via plane from Adelaide. It was a great introduction to KI and the tour took us to all the places we wanted to visit--Seal Bay, Little Sahara, Kelly Hill Cave, Remarkable Rocks, Admiral's Arch and Flinders Chase National Park. Our second trip was via the ferry and we spent 3 days/2 nights driving on our own around the island. It's easy to drive and see the major sites on your own--just get a good map. (Note: As a visitor to Australia, it's less time-consuming to take a plane to KI as the ferry is a bit of a drive outside of Adelaide. On our second trip, we were living in Australia at the time and were able to drive to the ferry and take our personal car with us to KI.)
One "off-the-beaten-track" thing I would recommend are some of the hikes in the national park. We had the trails pretty much to ourselves and really enjoyed the scenery in such solitude. You never know what you'll find on these hikes--we saw a little penquin off on his own.
I know the multi-day tours are a bit pricey, so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend flying to KI, renting a car and touring around by yourself.

What ever you do stay the night and get out in the evening with a guide or by yourself as that is when the macropods are out.

I am sorry what is a macropod?

Macropods are marsupials which hop ... kangaroos, wallabies, tree kangaroos etc.

If you're only allowing one day - do a tour.

2 days or more - hire a car and do it yourself.

It's all off the beaten track - not many people go there - few Australians have been.

Thank you so much for all your help!

I never realized that Kangaroos, wallabies, etc are nocturnal - can you see them if you only go for the day?

Hi flycatcher -

I'm currently in McLaren Vale in South Australia. We drove down to Cape Jervis today..that's where the ferry to KI leaves from...don't underestimate the drive time - it took us 90 minutes to get there from McLaren Vale, which is about 45-60 minutes from Adelaide, depending on traffic.

Regarding the kangaroos and wallabies...they're nocturnal, but in the cool months they're out and about during the day. We saw a large number of them today during a walk near Cape Jervis. They're everywhere...

Thank you we will be going either the last two weeks of March or the first 2 weeks of August so I think that will be a good time. It looks so beautiful!!!!
Thanks!

Actually the little beasties are periodically crepuscular. That is they have episodes of activity throughout the day and night but activity peaks at dawn and dusk and those hours surrounding those times.

Yes - they adhere to the adage that only mad dogs & Englishmen go out in the noon day sun. More moisture on the grass in the evenings & early mornings, too.

Hi,

We went to KI by the ferry for 2 days in Feb as part of a month long visit in Australia. We loved KI!

If you are interested, read a day to day blog with pictures at:

www.aroundtheworldin132days.blogspot.com

Pull up the sections Feb 14 to Feb 17 on the index.

Have a great trip!