Getting There -- Regional Express (REX; tel. 13 17 13 in Australia, or 08/8553 2938; www.regionalexpress.com.au) flies to Kangaroo Island from Adelaide. The flight usually takes about 30 minutes.
If you prefer to go by sea, Kangaroo Island SeaLink (tel. 13 13 01 in Australia, or 08/8202 8688; www.sealink.com.au) operates two vehicle and passenger ferries twice daily at 9am and 6pm (more frequently in peak periods) from Cape Jervis on the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula on the mainland to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island. The trip takes 45 minutes and costs A$88 round-trip for adults, A$48 for children 3 to 14, and A$172 for cars. Connecting bus service from Adelaide to Cape Jervis costs an extra A$46 for adults, and A$24 for children round-trip. Count on 3 hours for the entire trip from Adelaide if you take the connecting bus. Bookings are essential.
SeaLink also runs a range of island tours, including the 2-day, 1-night "KI Coast to Coast," which costs from A$433 per person sharing a double room. SeaLink also offers a wide range of accommodations, day tours, and adventure activities and offers Adelaide hotel pickups for selected tours.
Visitor Information -- Tourism Kangaroo Island, Gateway Information Centre, Howard Drive (P.O. Box 336), Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island, SA 5222 (tel. 08/8553 1185; fax 08/8553 1255; www.tourkangarooisland.com.au), has maps and information and can help visitors with accommodations and tours.
Island Layout -- Kangaroo Island is Australia's third-largest island, 156km (97 miles) long and 57km (35 miles) wide at its widest point. The distance across the narrowest point is only 2km (1 1/4 miles). Approximately 3,900 people live on the island. More than half live on the northeast coast in the three main towns: Kingscote (pop. 1,800), Penneshaw (pop. 250), and American River (pop. 200). The island's major attractions are farther from the mainland: Flinders Chase National Park is in the far west, Lathami Conservation Park is on the north coast, and Seal Bay and Kelly's Caves are on the south coast.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
