Kangaroo Island

Gary and Kerry · Guru

Kangaroo Island

Basil Faulty · Guru

You took your van accross from Point Jervis?
I have flown there and only got the oportunity to have a quick look around but I had doubts as to my ablity to back my rig onto the ferry. Though I did watch a guy back a semi onto it with only inches to spare either side, he got a standing ovulation for the spectators...

Gary and Kerry · Guru

Like yourself Basil my ability to back the van onto the ferry is questionable however, I am sure the staff would assist if required.
In the past when we have gone over we have taked the tent or stayed in units.
This time work is paying so am lapping up the view from my hotel room and eating a little more lavously than I would in the tent.

Heading home today,was going to go up to Mannum for the weekend but the forcast is for rain so might have to do a few odd jobs around the house instead.

JanandBob · Member

Hi guys,

I hope this isnt a silly question but how much time do you reckon its worth spending on Kangaroo Island? Were planning our budget big adventure and are desperately keen to get over to KI. We have heard so many wonderful things about it. However, if we can see what there is to see in less than a week we may just save a few dollars by roughing it in a tent and not taking the van on the crossing. What do you reckon?

Basil Faulty · Guru

JanandBob wrote:

Hi guys,
I hope this isnt a silly question but how much time do you reckon its worth spending on Kangaroo Island? Were planning our budget big adventure and are desperately keen to get over to KI. We have heard so many wonderful things about it. However, if we can see what there is to see in less than a week we may just save a few dollars by roughing it in a tent and not taking the van on the crossing. What do you reckon?

I'd say at least 7 days.... I've done some "backing onto the ferry" research and will post details soon, I'd take your van and food though. Regular food prices on KI are "marginally Higher than mainland ( sic ) prices".....

Gary and Kerry · Guru

JanandBob wrote:

Hi guys,
I hope this isnt a silly question but how much time do you reckon its worth spending on Kangaroo Island? Were planning our budget big adventure and are desperately keen to get over to KI. We have heard so many wonderful things about it. However, if we can see what there is to see in less than a week we may just save a few dollars by roughing it in a tent and not taking the van on the crossing. What do you reckon?

I agree with Basil 7 days will be enough time to have a good look around.
While waiting for the ferry I called into the information centre at Penneshaw and got current pricing for CP's.

Nepean Bay Tourist Park at Brownlow
Un Powered site $22-27 (2 persons) extra $7 over 5yrs
Powered site $25-33 (2 persons) extra $7 over 5yrs

Western KI Caravan park
Un Powered site $20 (2 persons) extra $8 under 5yrs $4
Powered site $25 (2 persons) extra $8 under 5yrs $4

American river ($15),Murray Lagoon ($10), western Cove($5) and D'Estrees Bay($10) campgrounds are inaccessible to caravans over 5 M. Vivone Bay is $15 powered.

The council has just installed 4 dump stations;
The 2 CP's listed above,
Parndana Lions Park,
Christmas Cove Penneshaw

and I reckon I saw one in American river

Hope this helps

dave06 · Guru

yep, 5 days is ample, once you see it all spend the last day just sitting on your freckle down western KI talking to the wallaby's, "cant back the van" you bloody mob of sooks, as my old school marm used to say " practice, practice, practrice, as for the ferry the "helpers" wont help you (insurance) but they will watch with great amusement, watched a fellow with a double gooseneck semi arrangement carrying a large Kato digger backing in, he got heaps for getting it wrong, nevermind I had a laugh

Basil Faulty · Guru

Ok, so I asked if help was available to back on vehicle and the answser was (insert drum roll)... depends on how busy the loading is, usually in off peak trips (whatever they are) someones should be available to help, there will always be someone to guide you.
Also discovered that you can take dogs on the ferry either they remain in the vehicle or are on the deck on a leash and there is at least one dog friendly CP on KI.
It is however as a few are saying not cheap the quote to get my jackeroo, 20' van and 2 consenting adults return $506.....(dog travels free)
You can't take honey or potatoes (unless frozen in chip form) and groceries and fuel are extortionatley priced, only one servo on KI apparently...
Still I spose you have to do it once don't you, like sailing the Whitsundays, you can have a month in NZ for what it costs for 5 days sailing the Whitsundays, something you only do once. You put these things on your bucket list LOL...