O N T O U R: Kangaroo Island
Sheila Randall is a travel consultant based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. English by birth, (and outlook) she nevertheless holds a US passport and has seen the world extensively. ([email protected]
On a visit ”down under” during August and September this year, she visited Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia. It is a 30 minute flight from Adelaide by local general aviation carrier Emu Airways or REX Regional Express who have an extensive operation in the south east of Australia. You can also get there by coach and ferry, a longer journey but including some very enjoyable scenery. Some travel packages offer a flight one way and ferry the other and private cars are welcome. It is just about practical to take a day trip from Adelaide and one-night stopovers are also available.
Sheila explains. ”Kangaroo Island is the third largest island off the coast of Australia ” about 100 miles long (London to Birmingham would be a comparison) and at the widest point 30 miles across although it narrows down to what is effectively a causeway to the Dudley Peninsula. A large part of the island is designated to Flinders Chase National Park. The people here are very ecologically aware and the area is unspoilt. The permanent population is just over 4,000 and day temperatures range from around the 80 degree mark during the Christmas holiday period to mid-40s in the depths of the July winter. It is in the Great Australian Bight, a sea not noted for its friendliness at times. "We didn't realise the Island is so large" is frequently stated by visitors soon after their arrival. Tourism is a fast growing source of income although there are still many small farms.
It is possible to walk amongst wild Australian Sealions at Seal Bay, visit a eucalyptus distillery and a honey farm which breeds ligurian honey bees that originated in Italy and are now the only pure strain of these bees in the world due to the island”s isolation and strong quarantine status. Vines grow well in the moderate climate and red wines produced are world standard.
Naturally there are hordes of wild kangaroos which can be seen at close range when they are grazing in the early morning or evening, wild koalas up in the trees (which sadly is increasingly rare in other parts of Oz), or occasionally on the ground as they change trees. At night see the ”little” penguins (the smallest species in the world) as they come in from a day out at sea.
Climb the Remarkable Rocks, a magnificent granite formation overlooking pristine bays and beaches. Photograph Admiral”s Arch, another beautiful rock formation. And also keep an eye out for an echidna ” another egg-laying mammal. This is truly one of the world”s most beautiful and unique wilderness destinations.
There is a range of accommodation on the island from bed and breakfast to lovely small hotels, very reminiscent of the little spick and span seaside properties found in Britain in the 50s and 60s. You can also rent, a popular and relatively cheap way for Australian families to lose themselves on what is quite a large island. Take a four-wheel drive tour into the bush, the package including gourmet lunch, with Kangaroo Island wine and cheeses, barbecues, salads and desserts. Coach tours are an attractive and a less expensive alternative .
I stayed at the Ozone Seafront Hotel in Kingscote, which is the main village and has a small row of shops. The 37 bedroom hotel is fully up to date with air conditioning, a pool and spa, plus a restaurant and bar which seems to be the hub of social life in the little town. There is no crime on the island, nothing is locked and there is also virtually no traffic. All very quiet.
This is a great place to visit for three nights with a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere and very friendly locals who are truly pleased to see you. With outstanding natural beauty and a variety of things to see and do, visitors to Kangaroo Island will experience a piece of authentic Australia”.
http://www.tourkangarooisland.com.auhttp://www.emuair.citysearch.com.auhttp://www.kangaroo-island-au.comhttp://www.regionalexpress.com.auhttp://www.ozonehotel.com