Travelling to Kangaroo Island – How you can support the Tourism Industry as they Recover from the Devastating Bushfires
Kangaroo Island is a magical place close to the hearts of many South Australians and we are all completely heartbroken at the toll the recent bushfires have taken on the Island locals. Their businesses, homes and properties and the enormous loss of wildlife is almost incomprehensible. Tourism plays an enormous part in the survival of Kangaroo Island and we can all help to rebuild this natural wonderland by NOT cancelling future plans to visit, or MAKE plans to visit in the coming months and beyond as soon as it is safe to do so.
PLAN A TRIP TO KANGAROO ISLAND
OPEN ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE:
- Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park
- Raptor Domain
- Little Sahara
- Seal Bay
- Private or group wildlife tours with the tour operators outlined below
Areas of interest that are open:
- Emu Bay and Bay of Shoals area: beaches, wild dolphins, lavender farm, food truck
- Antechamber Bay area: beaches, False Cape Wines, Cape Willoughby Lighthouse and Conservation Park
- Penneshaw: Township, beaches, Fat Beagle Coffee Shop, Millie Mae’s Pantry, accommodation, views, wineries, and Sunset Food and Wine
- Cygnet River area: Kangaroo Island Spirits and The Islander Estate Winery
- Kingscote: township, Cactus Café, Amadio Wines, Kangaroo Island Brewery and Island Beehive
- Dudley Peninsula area: Brown Beach, Island Beach, American River, The Oyster Farm Shop, Pennington Bay and Beach Barista.
CLOSED ATTRACTIONS:
(as at January 2020)
- Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail
- Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kelly Hill Conservation Park
- Cape Borda Lighthouse
Editors Note 24 August 2020. Flinders Chase is now open and entry is currently free of charge find out more here. On your visit, you can visit Remarkable Rocks, Weirs Cove, Cape du Couedic lighthouse and Admirals Arch.
For updates on park closures please visit the Parks SA website here.
From the South Australian Tourism Commission:
As a result of the Kangaroo Island bushfires that started on the 3rd January, 2020, the western end of the island has been largely impacted. However, Kangaroo Island is a large island, so large in fact that it’s six times the size of Singapore with 4,405 square kilometres of land. Much of the island is open, accessible and as it has always been.
KANGAROO ISLAND BUSHFIRE TRAVEL INFORMATION LINK
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION LINKS
During and after any natural disaster it is important to check conditions before you go in case conditions have changed since the last time you read an update. The information shared in this article is to be used as a guide only so please refer to the following links – it is recommended to check them before making plans and monitor them when you’re on the island.
CFS (Country Fire Service) CLICK HERE
Traffic SA Road Closures CLICK HERE (or download Traffic SA app ‘Addinsight’)
The Bureau of Meteorology CLICK HERE
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Accommodation alternatives to Southern Ocean Lodge that are open:
- One KI – Island Beach
- Hamilton & Dune – Emu Bay
- Lifetime Private Retreats – Snellings Beach
- Headland – Kangaroo Beach
- Ecopia Retreat – Seddon (near Seal Bay)
- Stowaway KI – Stokes Bay
- Oceanview Eco Villas – American River
- Copperstone – Emu Bay
- Sea Dragon Lodges – Antechamber Bay
- Middle River Beach House – Middle River
- D’Estrees Bay Beach House – d’Estrees Bay
- Glasshouse KI – Island Beach
Accommodation alternatives to Western Kangaroo Island Caravan Park that are open:
- Kangaroo Island Seafront Holiday Park
- Kingscote Tourist Park
- Kangaroo Island Cabins – Kingscote
- Discovery Lagoon campground – Emu Bay
- Kangaroo Island Holiday Village – Kingscote
Other Kangaroo Island accommodation alternatives that are open:
- All accommodation in American River including Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge
- All accommodation in Emu Bay and Island Beach
- All accommodation in Kingscote including Aurora Ozone Hotel
- All accommodation in Penneshaw including Kangaroo Island Seafront and Penneshaw Hotel
TOUR KANGAROO ISLAND ACCOMODATION LINK
Currently Closed:
- Southern Ocean Lodge
- Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Cabins
- Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat
- Western Kangaroo Island Caravan Park
Open but with revised business operations due to road closures:
- Lifetime Private Retreats
- Headland (previously Kangaroo Beach Lodges)
- Middle River Beach House
KANGAROO ISLAND VENUES STILL OPERATING:
- Bay of Shoals
- Dudley Wines
- False Cape Wines
- Kangaroo Island Brewery
- Kangaroo Island Ciders at Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery
- Kangaroo Island Spirits
- Spring Road
- The Islander Estate Vineyards
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KANGAROO ISLAND TOUR OPERATORS
Tour operator alternatives that are open:
- Exceptional Kangaroo Island – CLICK HERE
- Kangaroo Island Wilderness Tours – CLICK HERE
- Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures – CLICK HERE
- Kangaroo Island Ocean Safaris – CLICK HERE
- Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action – CLICK HERE
TOUR KANGAROO ISLAND OFFICIAL WEBSITE LINK
HOW TO GET TO KANGAROO ISLAND
There are multiple deals and offers to reduce the cost of travelling to Kangaroo Island, so be sure to check the following websites before booking. There are also numerous accommodation offers, such as free return ferry deals with two night stays.
SeaLink Ferry
Multiple ferry services a day between Cape Jervis and Penneshaw – a 45-minute journey and they can transport people, cars, caravans, campervans, cargo and freight. CLICK HERE
KI Connect
A fast passenger-only ferry between Cape Jervis and Penneshaw. They also offer car, van and campervan hire in Penneshaw. CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE FOR KI CONNECT OFFERS
QantasLink
Direct flights from Adelaide five times a week during summer and three times a week direct from Melbourne. CLICK HERE
Rex Regional Express
Multiple daily flight services direct from Adelaide to Kingscote. CLICK HERE
*Editor’s Note February 2020 – Rex airlines have announced plans to stop flying to Kangaroo Island – check their website for updates.
HIRE CAR OPTIONS ON KANGAROO ISLAND
Kangaroo Island Connect Car Rental and Campervan Hire
A range of affordable hire vehicles available. Bookings essential – phone 0419 100 100 or visit kic.com.au for details. Located in the KIC service centre.
Budget Car & Truck Rental Kangaroo Island Ferry
Vehicle rental service with pick up/drop off at the wharf. Bookings required in advance by calling 08 8553 3133, or visiting the Budget website.
Hertz Car Rental Kangaroo Island
Hertz Car Rental Kangaroo Island have a range of vehicles available for hire, just an 8 minute walk from the ferry drop off point. Call Hertz Penneshaw directly on 08 8553 9144 to book, or visit the Hertz website.
KI 24/7 BUS CHARTERS
If you don’t drive or would prefer not to hire a car, KI 24/7 BUS CHARTERS offer accommodation transfers as well as a variety of sightseeing tours, winery and farm gate tours, nocturnal tours, wildlife experiences and more. Their service will pick you up from the wharf and take you to wherever you wish to go on the island. Call 0473 672 139 or visit ki247buscharters.com.au to book.
You can read Play & Go’s review of a Kangaroo Island holiday with kids here.
“Help them out, #BookThemOut”
The campaign, “Help them out, #BookThemOut”, focuses on encouraging people to visit the Adelaide Hills and Kangaroo Island to boost bookings and help reinvigorate the local economies. Learn more about this campaign here.
For more information and all enquiries please visit the official South Australian Tourism website.
DISCLAIMER: At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change. Information can regularly change so please click on the links provided for updates.
Image Source: Play & Go
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Hi there just wondering why you are not featuring the Parndana “Heartland” area of Kangaroo Island as it is open for business and alive after the bushfires. Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park at Parndana, Parndana Soldier Settlers Museum, Parndana Hotel and Ficfolia Lodge for accommodation. Feeling left out in the black area but still accessible and Parndana township which is still green and alive.