Kanga Island short tours, maybe 2 days?

[get me outta here]

I am thinking of a few days in ADL with a trip on AAT Kings for 2 days to KI.

Anyone have any experience or suggestions please as I have never done this type of thing before? (Sadly, I missed the Luxury Escapes deal).

I have to book asap as I have a free ANZ Rewards Travel card which needs to be cancelled very soon to avoid the fee.

 

[Dr Bob]

Will read with interest as I'm wanting to include the island in a roady I'm planing for SA next autumn.

 

[Denali]

DrRon & Mrs Ron have a recent KI trip report in the Trip Report forum section.

We're going to KI for Christmas this year, renting a car, taking the ferry and spending 3 nights at Hanson Bay Cabins (Seal Bay twlight tour, Remarkables, hubby hopes to take some night photography) before heading back to the main town area for a couple of nights.

The problem with AAT Kings is thats a bus group, isnt it? Would rather gouge my kidney out with a spoon than deal with a bus group.

 

[get me outta here]

Yes, thanks I read the Ron's report with great interest. I have never done a bus trip before and agree with you about the spoon. However, for 2 days I think I can cope if it means I don't have to drive, and the price is comparable with putting together the components. I am actually thinking of tagging on a 4 day Murray River cruise. Another thing I saw myself doing in maybe 20 years. But I'm flexible and ambidextrous.

DrRon & Mrs Ron have a recent KI trip report in the Trip Report forum section.

We're going to KI for Christmas this year, renting a car, taking the ferry and spending 3 nights at Hanson Bay Cabins (Seal Bay twlight tour, Remarkables, hubby hopes to take some night photography) before heading back to the main town area for a couple of nights.

The problem with AAT Kings is thats a bus group, isnt it? Would rather gouge my kidney out with a spoon than deal with a bus group.

 

[Daver6]

KI is a very large island. You need a car and driving between places can be time consuming. If I recall correctly, there are some unseal roads too. IF you're on a bus trip, then all good and taken care of.

It's a really beautiful place though and well worth a visit.

 

[drron]

Obviously our trip has no relevance to a bus trip to KI.However our stay has got us thinking of a driving trip to KI when our International trips become less frequent.
So it is only 2 days if you get a less than good group of fellow travellers and it will give you a taste of KI.Like us it is likely you will want to visit it again down the track.

 

[Pushka]

The roads on KI can be treacherous not just for state but for Wildlife. Think ‘dead kangaroo’ Island.

Surface has improved but on one visit in a Pajero 4WD the surface towards the lighthouse at ‘the other end’ was of rounded pebbles. Downhill. We were going very slowly and realised the momentum was not from the engine but movement on the pebbles. With foot on brake hard we were still moving downhill. Scarey as we headed towards the bottom but we had no control other than try turn the steering wheel without flipping it. And we weren’t speeding with the kids in the car. But I think that road is sealed now.

 

[VPS]

KI is beautiful but just be aware depending where you are that driving at dusk in particular can be very quite challenging because the wildlife come out to stand in the middle of the road and have a chat or else decide to bound out of the darkness into the middle of the road.

One of the things I found is that although KI says it has wonderful produce there aren't a lot of places that can serve up first class food (GSOL excepted) I found better dining in Penneshaw than anywhere else.

Apart from that it is beautiful and well worth a visit.

@Denali have you bought your ferry tickets yet - I can check if anyone has the Entertainment card voucher for that. I'm still overseas but will be back in mid November and may still buy the book but I can check with friends who will probably have it.

 

[Denali]

Thanks, VPS but yes, we've already bought our ferry tickets.

The driving at dusk/animals is why I decided to stay 3 nights at Hanson Cabins, so we dont have far to travel late afternoon/early evening. The only one thing planned at that hour is the Seal Bay Twlight tour but I think that finishes before sunset anyway.

 

[VPS]

Thanks, VPS but yes, we've already bought our ferry tickets.

The driving at dusk/animals is why I decided to stay 3 nights at Hanson Cabins, so we dont have far to travel late afternoon/early evening. The only one thing planned at that hour is the Seal Bay Twlight tour but I think that finishes before sunset anyway.

It is OK to drive at dusk and night but you just don't go very fast and be very wary

 

[CaptJCool]

KI. One of the last bastions of tranquility and peace. Unadulterated by consumerism.

We had a little kangaroo in the tent, and there were eating areas for humans. Having been accosted by a big red. Yea paws on a 12 yo shoulders I can tell you they're there for good reason...

But hey it's real nature back in the days of the troubridge.

Soooo
Given bus/ferry, flying or hire car/ferry the access fee is already like $200 so theres no way around a base cost that's there whichever way you travel.

2 days with new friends who once were strangers opens opportunities to home-stays all over the world... generally I hate bus trips... .put me in business class were I can talk to or ignore my "s/he who's sitting alongside" I love it. Learnt a lot from some of the people who shared an hour....

Seal bay, admirals arch the various cape lighthouses, some far flung beaches with awesome sand but challenging undertows. It's a get away with a difference. And that's why people go there