Kangaroo Island Transportation

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The most popular way to get to Kangaroo Island is by ferry. Sealink ferries leave from Cape Jervis every morning and evening, and sometimes more frequently (you need to check current timetables). It is a big car ferry, but it is possible to walk around on deck. I enjoyed it very much, I exactly remember how I was standing there, feeling the wind and the fresh air, and being so excited that I was finally going to Kangaroo Island, a place I had heard so many great things about!
The journey takes about 45 minutes.

As I did a guided tour I did not need it, but there is a shuttle bus connecting Adelaide and Cape Jervis, and another one connecting Penneshaw, where the ferry arrives, with Kingscote, the island's biggest settlement. There are also busses from Victor Harbour and Goolwa.

For current times and fares, please check their website!

Pictures 3 to 5 show Kangaroo Island as we approached. I always love to be on a boat and see an island I will be visiting coming closer and closer.... It is so promising, such a great feeling!

We took this tour from Cape Jervis, driving from the southern suburbs to be there at 8.30 to board the 9.00am ferry.
By booking a combined ferry and coach tour ticket there was a small discount on the cost of the crossing.
There are tiher options eg coach to and from Adelaide or Victor Harbour, land content only for those staying on the island and even a flight from Adealaide one or both ways.
The crossing takes about 45 minutes, and on the day we went was absolutely smooth but I understand this varies considerably!
The driver was informative, and as a local resident had local insights. He was fortuantely free from the lame sense of humour and inane jokes beloved by some coach captains.
The tour was only in English, but there was a short pamphlet about the island availabale in other languages.

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Ferries to Kangaroo Island depart from Jervis Bay, about 100 kms south of Adelaide. When travelling by car, pre-booking is recommended. Sealink, the ferry company, also offers packages and island tours.
Ferry timetables and booking: http://www.sealink.com.au/

If you travel by rental car, check with the company if they allow taking their car to Kangaroo Island. Some companies do not allow this.

The most popular way to get to Kangaroo Island is by the ferrie which leaves from Cape Jervis (45min travel time) or Wirrina Cove (120min travel time).
I'd recommend going by ferrie because it's an adventure in itself and a fun way to get to your destination.

Reservations: 13 13 01 or www.sealink.com.au
Reservations: +61 (0)8 8598 2000 http://www.kiferries-sa.com

You can also travel vie air which travel from Adelaide Airport and lands in Kingscote Airport which is around 13kms from the islans capital but there are shuttle busses that will take you there.
Flight Reservations: 13 17 13 or (08) 8553 2938 www.regionalexpress.com.au
Flight Reservations: 1800 339 629 or (08) 8234 4988 www.airsouth.com.au
Shuttle Transfers: 0427 887 575

There are some items that are quarantine to the island.
- Bees and honey products (Kangaroo Island is a bee sanctuary)
- Potatoes for consumption or planting
- Declared weeds
- Foxes
- Rabbits

After a lot of research I found some really good prices to get to KI. Unfortunately the only way to get to KI from Melbourne was to fly to Adelaide, take the coach to Port Jervis and then the ferry to Penneshaw. Pretty round about...but it was the cheapest I could find. I first looked at www.webjet.com.au for cheap flight tickets. I found that Jetstar was the cheapest to get to Adelaide, but it leaves from Avalon. So the next thing I checked up was www.sunbusaustralia.com.au for bus tickets to Avalon from Southern Cross. It is much cheaper even when added up to travel this way when compared to flying from Tullamarine. It is also cheaper to go to Jetstar website and book tickets rather than going through a travel agency. You'll end up saving their processing fee.

I also booked the coach and ferry (www.sealink.com.au) and ended up saving $2 each way by booking online (every cent is worth saving!).

It's important to research the cheapest option for you and the above was the best option for us.

It's really expensive to take your car to Kangaroo Island. Renting one there is expensive to and there's hardly any public transport. So the best way to get around is a tour, you'll see a lot and get a bit extra to. I went with Daniels Tours, see my accomodation tip.

The easiest and quickest way to get to Kangaroo Island is to take a REX (Regional Express) flight from Adelaide to Kingscote, the island's capital. Expect to pay about 100 Australian dollars for a return ticket. The little turboprops take half an hour for the trip, which tends to be much smoother than the ferry crossing, which has to traverse one of the world's roughest stretches of water.

We rented a car in Melborne and drove to Cape Jervis where we drove it onto the ferry.
After we arrived in Kangaroo Island we drove for miles and miles.
That said, you have to shop around for a rent car company that will permit you to take it to the island.
It may have gotten better since there are now more sealed roads there but it is still best to check to make sure.
There are 3 rental car companies in Kingscote so that is another option.