Just booked the ferry for a couple of days over on Kangaroo Island in January. Has anyone got any recommendations on places to stay & activities? I've got the literature and perused the KI website - I'm more looking for personal recommendations :chuckle:

Initial thoughts are that Kingscote looks fairly "central", and handy for noctural penguin expeditions and maybe a boat trip? We'll be looking for a Hotel type accomodation - Ozone Hotel looks good :unsure:

Cheers :)
(off to get a jerry can so we don't run out of fuel! :lol: )

Off there ourselves over Christmas. Not quite sure they've got the tourism stuff fully sussed though. Could only find one place open on Christmas day for something to eat!

Staying at the Comfort Inn - Kingscote.

Right-ho Marco - it must be the place to be then! I suppose it's a little cooler down there in the hot summer months :chuckle:

It's not like you can bring your own food over either for Xmas dinner!

There is a lovely beach at Vivonne Bay (I think it's called) plus make sure you try some honey ice-cream at the honey farm, and there is a good, very hands-on (almost TOO hands-on by all accounts) wildlife park somewhere to the north of the island - can't remember its name sorry. Oh, and don't forget to go see the Seals.

Why? Don't they let you bring food over on the ferry?

Cluster of Starrs live there but not for much longer. Send them a PM.

We are going in Jan, and have found there really isnt any 4-5 star accom. We did however, find this: http://www.kikingscotepier.com.au/
so have booked for 2 nights. Cant remember what we paid but it was good value.

When in Vivonne Bay go into the local cafe/service station and see John and Jean who post on here as they own the shop there and love anyone calling in from this site ;)

Sasha :)

It's called Paul's Place, and yes you are right it is very hands on. I got caught out on the tour myself when Paul had a rather large bucket of feed on his shoulder and then asked me to carry it. It was not until he gave it to me that I realised why he was carrying it on his shoulder. Within seconds I had a dozen different animals with their heads in the bucket trying to drag me and the bucket away. You had to be there.....

A young Japanese lady was asked to stand in front of a corrugated iron fence, when Paul put some feed on her head and over the top of the fence popped an emu and surprised her by eating the feed, she got the shock of her life, it was a great laugh!

Our friend had a possum shoved down his shirt which he thought was cute until Paul tried to put Spike, an echidna down their too.

All in all it was a great afternoon and the children seemed to have a ball. Paul's Place is on the road to Stokes Bay.

Stokes Bay is also a lovely spot for a beach picnic, when you arrive the beach looks most unwelcoming but take a walk through the rock cave to a pristine beach you won't be disappointed.

For some great island fare try the Rockpool Cafe at Stokes Bay http://www.postcards.sa.com.au/features/rockpool_cafe.html

I went to KI in July.....stayed at the Ozone at Kingscote which is a pretty central place to see the rest of the Island and the rooms were clean and comfrotable. Had a look at other accommodation 9mootels) which in one case, in my opinion, was well short of the 4* it advertised itself at and in another, was cold, sterile and a bit gloomy. In both cases, definitely looked nothing like their website pics!!

The map doesn't do KI justice...150Km wide and awsome views. When I went it was pretty quiet and limited opening times but went to the far side of the island to sea the National Park. Overall a good, if generally expensive experience - given the cost of petrol at that time and the driving distances involved. Found the Kingscote eating places disappointing...the Ozone restaurant and a cafe was the best of the few there were. Ended up having pizza takeaways. The few other other areas visited were all very quite - but it was winter so my comments may only be applicable to then.

The best place was a wildlife park where all the kangaroos jump about you and feed from your hands. The hotels all have brochures on whats available. I'd have loved to have visited the caves but that didn't have the opening times etc to suit.

Fantastic place! Shops are few and far between and with limited opening so bear that in mind. Get the map of the island, and you'll find there are only two or three outside of Kingscote, including John and Jean's store at Vivonne Bay.

Most of the island roads are dirt roads, there is just one surfaced loop of road, as you'll see from the map. Be very wary driving after dark - I have never seen so much roadkill in my life :( Poor little scraps of fur and bones literally every 10 or 20 yards on both sides of every road...

We found a lovely winery to eat at, not long after getting off the ferry so on the road from there onto the island proper.

Paul's Place is a scream, one not to miss - Howard suffered the emu feeding too! You get to hold a koala there without extra charges, and we were even shown a tiny baby roo in mum's pouch.

We camped, and particularly enjoyed the bush camp at the far end of the island, can't remember the name offhand.

There's a honey farm, and don't miss the seals/sealions, and visit Admiral's Arch at sunset for some stunning photo opportunities through the arch.

If you get a hot day, go to the caves - not so hot, try sand-surfing at Little Sahara not far from Vivonne Bay.

We had a fantastic time, hope you do too!

Any other links for KI? I really fancy going there now. Sounds excellent.

Try these two for a start Michelle...

http://www.southaustralia.com/product.asp?product_id=9002764

http://www.sealink.com.au/

http://www.kangarooisland.com/

Try the Sealink Adelaide Offices, bound to be plenty of brochures and info.

City Centre Travel
Shop 3, 75 King William Street,
Adelaide, South Australia 5000
Email: cct@sealink.com.au

Sightseeing and Travel Centre
211 Victoria Square,
Adelaide, South Australia 5000
Email: adssres@sealink.com.au

Look at www.sealink.com.au

If you book accomodation - try asking the place you're staying at if they offer ferry discount. I've got 10% off.

There's also usually a ferry discount voucher in the Entertainment Book, plus if you're an RAA member there's a discount that way.

Yep - just had a look on the website.
25% off any RETURN PASSENGER FERRY TICKET for up to four people.
Page E12

Always forget to check! :crying:

Oops... sorry Marco :unsure:

If anyone would like my Entertainment voucher for the ferry, drop me a PM. We won't be going again before they run out in July so someone may as well have the use of it. I reckon it's one of the better deals in the book (and they're all pretty good!)

Where do I obtain said book :huh:

http://z2.invisionfree.com/Adelaidebrits/i...showtopic=21819

Here is the the thread in the links section which has the website addy for the entertainment book ;)

Sasha :)

Chris & Jackie

We spent a couple of days there last year on our recci trip - it was one of our fav places.

We didn't go to Seal Bay - we turned right and had the beach to ourselves (time of year helped) apart from one seal who has made the beach his own, oh and a few seals in the sea that followed us up and down the beach as we walked along.

It is huge, and the road kill is sad - but as one of the locals told us, it does mean there is a LOT of wildlife on the island.

See you SOON!!

Heather x

Thanks for all the info peeps - plenty to go at there. Looks like we're going to have to book up sharpish before everyone else decides to go. :chuckle:

Cheers

Hello to all, been looking from a far but been a stranger sorry!.

Had to post on this one as this is my home!!...but yes not for long. (so much has happened!)

In no particular order....although you all seem to have it down to a tee!!!.... i live in Penneshaw where the ferry comes in and i would recommened staying here, only because its much more of a beautiful place than kingscote. Here you have post office/business centre, fuel and hardware who also have Hog Bay stores(corner store for basics and amazing gifts/cafe and take away) which also own IGA/Celebrations (alcohol!) they are open every day 8am-8pm and the shop opens 7am-7pm every day both open xmas day to!. Also you have Seafront Hotel, open xmas day, where my hubby shall be cooking xmas lunch and i may well be there to!!. There is also a pub but not really a wonderful place for tourists to venture into. Here there is the best beach, penguins, i have walabies outside right now, good places to see here and nice walks. Lots of holiday homes all around but sadley they all do get booked up quickly. You dont need a 4 star here its all very clean and nice but you may find some dated, depends on what rocks your boat!. There are also places to stay out of towns so Emu bay for instance and that is fantastic to. Lucy was on about the new apartments that have just been finished in Kingscote looks nice but havent been inside, i wouldnt recommened the Ozone for food sorry!!!. The Seafront are updating their rooms and have some finished now and are being rated this weekend but most liking to be 4 star. We lived in them for two weeks when first arrived and very nice and ofcourse the food i think is the best on KI (but hubby does work there!! :lol2: ) its the only place to with a pool, but then who needs that with the beachs all over!.

Kingscote is a nice place and busier...but not big!!!. Has two main streets and has one super market and few gifts shops/diy/chemist/post office that type of thing but may well be closed xmas as the hours there are more like 9-5pm and closed earlier weekends and on bank hols, i ve not actulaly looked yet at times there as planning to stay in Penneshaw. Kingscote is 45min from Penneshaw.

Things to do...KI has so many nooks and cranies that after one year i still havent seen it all. If you are here for just few days, you wont see all it has to offer but do what most do and see western KI, admairals arch/kellys caves/ remarkable rocks all can be done in a day and take about 2hr drive from Penneshaw. More to the centre of island to south is Vivonne bay where yes jean and john are, and very nice welcoming people, seen them quite few times. Gorgeous beach and conservation area, climb over the rocks, brings tear to your eye standing on the edge of ocean with crashing waves. Apart from Jean and Johns place there isnt an awful lot else there. Very near by is Seal bay which is worth a visit as many do. Near there if you dont pass the very small card board sign is "little sahara" which is lovely, its a few BIG sand dunes so take a tray or surf board and have fun!. All this is about an 1-1 1/2hr from Penneshaw. Parandana in is the middle of KI and is a very small "passing" through town. To north is yes Pauls place. He hasnt changed his routine at all :lol2: bless him, worth going but yes stay to the back esp if you have kids as it gets intense with the animals and its all rough and ready country stuff!!.

Just 15mins out of Penneshaw on the main road on your left you will see a big hill called Prospect hill, thats worth the 500 step climb definately, and go down the dirt road to the left just before it you come to the most amzaing beach and cliffs called Pennigton bay, esp if you like fishing.

Ki is very country, if you do just main things you will mostly be on sealed roads but venture off, with the dirt roads its a real experience, but make sure you dont have a nice car a 4wheel drive is good here!!. Can i say one thing though...if you HAVE to drive after dark GO SLOW, so many tourists have accidents and are hurt because they under estimate the roads after dark, so much widlife about.

Temp.....is normally about 3-4 degrees lower than you guys (one reason we are moving) it chills right down after sun goes down and is mostly always windy esp Kingscote so dont be fooled at not bringing that fleece for the evenings!.

There are so many places i could reckon mend but these are the main ones. Good wineries around, excellant beachs every where they wont disapoint, only in my view the Kingscote one will. So many gorgeous coves and places you would never see and find unless you spend real time travelling around. Really glad i have experienced this place.

Feel free to ask any questions. Enjoy!

Tan.x

Hi Tan
Great to here from you again, Haven't seen a post from you in ages.... :( What a lovely post on KI Me thinks the mods should bookmark this one, as we wont be able to find it again when we go.... :o :o

Keith...... :D :chuckle:

To Chris & Jackie........Have a great time.... :cool shake:

Me too... 'tis done!

Thanx Elaine your a star, :wub: :wub:

Keith

Thanks Elaine im touched, wish i had put more on it now though, can i add that Hog Bay stores are closed for just xmas day though :( sorry....just found out today :angry: .

And thanks to Keith, i am around on here but not sure whether to post as going to QLD (see recent post) but you guys do such a good job anyway :D

Cheers, Tan.x

We went last January and hired a house at Cygnet River just outside Kingscote and had a fab time.
Kingscote is the main town on the island with the most amenities, pubs, shops, restuarants, banks bottle shop etc......
We missed the man who feeds the pelicans but a short time after the show one of the other local fishermen came down with his offerings and allowed my daughter and myself to feed them. We also saw the baby penguins in their "holes" they are either side of the boardwalk if you look for them carefully.
We really enjoyed driving along the North Coast Rd and visiting the many coves and beaches, drove down the Playford Highway past Parndana towards the Roo Lagoon Gallery and then turned right and went down to Western River Cove (one of our fav beaches) we then drove towards Snelling Beach stopping off at a little cafe/art gallery for drinks. You can take your car on Snelling Beach, we then headed for Stokes Bay, where you walk through the rocks to a beach that has good swimming. Emu Bay is also worth a visit on this coast, very shallow water and again you can take your car on the beach.
On the south side of the island go to the Flinders chase visitor centre and from there visit the Admirals Arch (fab views and seals) and see the Remarkable Rocks. We didn't go to the caves at Kelly Hill but drove straight on to Vivonne Bay (excellent views from Point Ellen) the bay itself is beautiful (and of course call for supplies and ice creams at the local shop) We finished the day at little Sahara, it is a climb up the dunes but well worth the effort!!
Near to Penneshaw we visited a couple of the wineries and the beach and river at Antechamber bay were also nice. Also saw a pod of dolphins whilst waiting for the ferry. The ferry journey can be quite rough, we found it better to sit outside and get some fresh air!!!
We had a fantastic holiday I'm sure you will enjoy it there,
Lisa & Brent

If you choose to fly from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island - flight each way is around $95.54 per person with Rex.

Marco - let me know what the Comfort Inn is like? Hubby works for that chain so we can get the room for $50 a night. Just want to know if its worth it.

Also if anyone is wanting to fly over there is a new service called Air south 8234 3244 not sure of their costs as only just started flying here. Rex can range from $74-$113 one way depending on time of day and which day you fly. www.rex.com.au

Tan.x