Kangaroo Island, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Airing Date: Apr 7th, 2003
Located off the coast of South Australia, two and a half hours from Adelaide, Kangaaroo Island is Australias third biggest island.
Known to the locals as K.I., the island is home to a diverse range of fauna and flora, as well as a great number of land animals including kangaroos, bandicoots, koalas and 243 recorded species of birds.
The islands coastline is populated by rare and protected marine life including Australian sea lions.
The best place to check out the sea lions is Seal Bay. The bay is one of only two places in the world where visitors can join a guided walk to witness the seals in their natural habitat.
Another popular attraction is Flinders Chase National Park, located at the western end of Kangaroo Island. The park encompasses stunning coastal landscape and fascinating rock formations including the Remarkable Rocks, a cluster of weather-sculptured boulders perched on a dome stretching out to sea.
Another natural formation is Admirals Arch, a magnificent natural arch which was originally a cave. Over time, erosion caused the cave to collapse, forming an arch.
No holiday to Kangaroo Island would be complete without a trip to the Little Sahara. In the midst of the dense bushland is a spectacular mini dessert just a short distance from the ocean. Many tour companies operate sand boarding tours here, or you can simply bring your own board and teach yourself. The dunes rise 71 metres above sea level, providing a fast and exhilarating ride.
Although the island is remote and largely undeveloped, quality accommodation has not been overlooked.
Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat offers 25 luxury rooms, including two suites, all set around a bushland courtyard. The rooms have a four and a half star rating and are ideal for couples or families. Each room has a private bathroom and its own balcony with outdoor furniture.
The facts
Rooms at the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Resort start from $40 per person for dorms, through to $330 per night twin share for a four and a half star suite.
Kangaroo Island Wilderness Resort
Tel: 08 8559 7275
The SeaLink ferry costs $32 per person one way from Adelaide and $69 one way for cars.
Kangaroo Island Sealink
Tel: 13 1301
A guided walk to see the seals in their natural habitat costs $10.50 per person.
Tourism Kangaroo Island
Tel: 08 8553 1185
South Australian Tourism Commission
Tel: 1300 655 276
KI Outdoor Action
Tel: 08 8559 4296
Thrifty hire cars from $99 per day.
Thrifty
Tel: 1300 367 227
