Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Australia & the Pacific
Reload this Page >

Kangaroo Island Self-Drive Tour info

Search

Kangaroo Island Self-Drive Tour info

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 19th, 2005, 07:12 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Kangaroo Island Self-Drive Tour info

Wondering if there are any good guidebooks that have thorough K.I. self-drive information. Or, are there any local companies that "sell" a self-drive tour kit. We don't need a car rental, but could use some maps and advice on where to go.
dave_261 is offline  
Old Dec 19th, 2005, 08:33 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just got back from KI last month--had a great time. Check out www.tourkangarooisland.com.au. There's plenty of information about the island itself and also, self-touring. You can also request printed info off the site and there's a map too.
downunder05 is offline  
Old Dec 19th, 2005, 08:51 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What is KI like in August? Is it a must see if in the Adelaide area?
DasFX is offline  
Old Dec 19th, 2005, 08:54 AM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
DownUnder- did you drive yourself, or take a tour? Any sites stand out that are "must sees"?
dave_261 is offline  
Old Dec 19th, 2005, 01:20 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Dave--We booked Adventure Charters for a 2-day one night deal. It was highly recommended and although it was pricey, it was the best experience we had on our whole vacation. If you do the self-drive, make sure that you take in the Remarkable Rocks, Seal Bay and Admiral's Arch. Also, you may want to sign up for a short nocturnal tour with Alkima to see the fairy penguins and other nightlife. You'll love KI--we saw tons of roos, koalas, wallabies,seals and fairy penguins, even a few echidneas and glossy black cockatoos!
downunder05 is offline  
Old Dec 19th, 2005, 06:35 PM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We debated for a while about doing a tour (even contacted Adventure Charters for pricing). I was having a hard time justifying the money for the tour, and while I know I'll be missing some of the good stuff, I also know we'll be happier doing our own thing.
dave_261 is offline  
Old Dec 20th, 2005, 05:45 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We're going to Oz in August and have decided to skip Kangaroo Island. I understand it is a great place, but we simply cannot see everything. Is also seems quite pricey to get to, even if we were to go over for just a day.

My question is, can I see the animals on Kangaroo Island elsewhere in Australia?
DasFX is offline  
Old Dec 20th, 2005, 08:06 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Dave-- Be sure to take some binoculars and you'll have a great time! You may want to take a nocturnal tour which is pretty cheap to see the fairy penguins--we used alkima.com.au and saw lots of penguins and wallabies.

DasFX--Sure, you can see some of the same animals elsewhere in Australia. For example, the fairy penguins on Philip Island, outside Melbourne and kangaroos and koalas out in the bush.
A few of the animals like echidneas, glossies and wallabies are more difficult to spot elsewhere other than a wildlife park. I think there's just a larger variety on KI than most places.
downunder05 is offline  
Old Dec 21st, 2005, 05:42 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi there,

Dave, I'm sure there are lots of guidebooks that have self drive info; however, to maximize the best of the area this is one of the places that a guide is really called for. (IMO)

I completely understand the hesitation to spend money for a tour you think you can do on your own, but the bottom line is that you won't have the same experience or see as much.

Adventures Charters are a great company and they have access to private lands, they live on K.I.full time and know the area like the back of their hands. I know the owner and have been to their house; and there's just no way that you're going to have the same experience driving along with a tour book.

Dax, yes, you can see animals in other parts of Australia without going to K.I. Honestly, alot of this is a "regional" thing... I've been to K.I. and people from Kansas were just over the moon about the seals....coming from California, I was sort of "yes, ok, seals, big deal". This is part of what I do with clients is to listen to their past experiences and guide them to what is going to be the WOW factor for them - it's different for everyone.

Hope this is helpful!

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist
wlzmatilida is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
p2katz
Australia & the Pacific
4
May 29th, 2018 11:30 AM
ZfromWinnipeg
Australia & the Pacific
10
Oct 18th, 2009 02:41 PM
Alisa
United States
7
Aug 17th, 2006 07:19 PM
KathrynT
United States
7
May 4th, 2005 08:44 PM
kjweller
United States
4
Mar 4th, 2004 03:30 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -