Chele

We're planning a trip to Australia in Sept/Oct & we found a great package (air and hotel) for 14 days for $1900. There are 2 packages: Melbourne, Sydney & Cairns OR Kangaroo Island, Sydney & Cairns (4 nights in each city). Which would you recommend and why??

We like to have a variety of activities & sights within a trip-

* Would Melbourne be similar to Sydney?
* Would we be bored in Kangaroo Island for 4 nights?

I've looked at postings for both Kangaroo Island & Melbourned, but still can't decide! Thanks for the help!

Chele

Actually, I looked at the package for Kangaroo Island & it's 2 days in Adelaide & 2 days in Kangaroo Island... I would still love to hear your opinions on the options!

audrey

Hi Chele,

I hope someone posts a reply that has been to these locations. We are doing a similar package with Quantas & chose Kangaroo Island (KI) because my son wanted to see the Australian wildlife (kangaroos, seals, little penguins, etc.) & Kangaroo Island seemed like an ideal place to do it. In fact, we are extending our stay at KI and staying at one of the lighthouse cabins in the park.

I'll be happy to email you when we're back, (mid-August), if you don't have to make your decision before then.

Audrey

johhj_au

I would take the adelaide-KI option.

You can see a range of wildlife there and it is a picturesque place.Out at rocky river the Koalas are running wild...there is talk of a cull.

Adelaide is interesting for 2 days.Take in an aussie rules match...see the Barossa etc.

Audrey
Which lighthouse cabins?
Stayed at Cape de Coeudic about 10 yrs ago. Pretty basic but great.

Neil_Oz

I think I'd opt for Adelaide-KI too if you're interested in the wildlife. I wasn't too thrilled with KI but I think we might have had a different impression if we'd had an escorted tour rather than the DIY option. Adelaide is a nice city and combined with the nearby wine regions there's plenty to occupy two days.

audrey

John,

We are staying at the Flinders Light Lodge. The Cape de Coeudic looked great also, but my husband thought Flinders would be more remote. Glad to hear that you had a great time. We are also looking forward to it.

Audrey

ishki

I suggest the Melbourne option, but you must include a couple of nights touring the Great Ocean Road. The scenery is spectacular and you also get to spend time in a great city. Adelaide is a lot smaller than Melbourne and if you want to do a winery tour, there are none better than in the Yarra Valley.

wlzmatilida

Chele,

Decisions decisions!

re: K.I. If you decide on this option, as Neil pointed out, it's wise to take a tour / guide option, as unless you know where to look you'll blast right by koalas, kangaroos, etc. And many of the tour operators have keys to get onto private land which of course, isn't an option if you're on your own. I recommend Kangaroo Island Adventure Charters.

The other possibility is to take a day trip to K.I., and you may want to consider that as well.

Hope this is helpful!

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

MissB99

Hi Chele
I agree with Ishki and would take the Melbourne option. The unique wildlife on KI are the giant seals, all the other native animals are found in many other places in Australia.
As Ishki suggests the Yarra Valley is a great wine growing region (50 plus wineries) only 60 minutes drive from Melbourne. Good restraints and accommodation options as well as hot air ballooning (if that is your fancy). Healesville Sanctuary is also in the Yarra Valley where you can see many native animals koalas, lyrebirds, platypus, tasmanian devils, echidnas, kangaroos etc.
Melbourne is a much bigger, more multicultural city than Adelaide with a myriad of attractions.
I have posted some suggestions re Great Ocean Road trips and side trips on the post headed "Wildlife"

MissB99

Oops, I need to preview posts!!. I meant restaurants NOT restraints

Neil_Oz

Glad you straightened that out for us, MissB99. You probably got a few Fodorites with minority tastes momentarily excited.

The giant seals are sea lions, but they looked like giant seals to me too, so I'm just being picky. I thought they were a quarrelsome, bad-natured lot, but probably worth half an hour of your time, Chele.

There is talk of a koala cull. The KI koalas are in reality an introduced pest. Apparently they've over-bred and are stripping the local eucalypt trees. But because of their "cute and cuddly" image the state government minister who signs off on a shoot probably won't be Mr or Ms Popularity.

Trivia time: the island's Ligurian bees are said to be the last pure strain in the world, their cousins in Italy having long ago interbred with other bees (amorous Tuscan or Piedmontese bees, maybe).

More trivia: KI was used as a base by American whalers well before the colony of South Australia was established.

dotty

Hi, Chele,
Like to add my tuppence-worth! My husband and I have been to both Melbourne and Adelaide / Kangaroo Island, and both offer different things for people. Healesville Sanctuary in Melbourne is great with a much wider range of wildlife than seen on Kangaroo Island by tourists. Melbourne itself is a beautiful city, with much to do. It is my most-visited Australian city. Adelaide is an interesting city, with lots of scenic activities within walking distance. We had a pleasant day trip to some places of interest which also included some wineries. The trip in the bus down to Kangaroo Island is scenic as well. We joined a tour company for that trip - I would strongly recommend that. Some of the seals round the island are New Zealand fur seals, and are so cute. It is a hard decision but you are the only one who can make that decision. Good luck.