Getting Around Kangaroo Island

A Big Island - As the third largest island off the coast of mainland Australia, Kangaroo Island is more than a day-trip destination. At 155 kilometres long and up to 55 kilometres wide, it covers an area of 4,500 square kilometres. 'We didn't realise the Island was so large' is frequently stated by visitors soon after their arrival.

Bring Your Vehicle or Hire

You can bring your vehicle from the mainland by ferry or you can hire a vehicle from Kingscote, Penneshaw or the airport. Four-wheel drive vehicles are not necessary. With care, you can enjoy all the Island has to offer in a conventional vehicle.

Please note that some mainland car hire companies have restrictions on bringing vehicles over to Kangaroo Island and on driving on unsealed roads. Please check with your car hire company. Our suggestion is to hire a car from one of the following Island based companies.

Hire Cars

Budget
(08) 8553 3133
www.budgetki.com

Hertz
1800 088 296
(08) 8553 2390
www.hertz.com.au

FCBS 4WD Hire
(08) 8553 2356
www.eco-sanctuaries.com

Public Transport

A coach service runs twice daily between Kingscote, American River and Penneshaw connecting with SeaLink ferry services. A shuttle service operates between Kingscote Airport and Kingscote township. Bookings for both services are necessary. There is no taxi service on the Island.

Airport Shuttle Service

To and from Kingscote Airport to Kingscote, Emu Bay, American River and Penneshaw. Bookings essential. Phone 0427 887 575.

Airport and On-Island Transfers

SmartCar can organise transfers to and from any location on the Island. Bookings essential. Phone 1300 887 121.

Ferry Coach Connections

Sealink provide twice daily coach connection services from Kingscote and American River to the ferry and return.

Touring

There is a wide range of tours on the Island. Tours enable you to sit back and allow someone else to do the driving, and your guide can provide great Kangaroo Island knowledge. Coach tours are available or, alternatively, more personalised four-wheel drive tours. Most tours will pick-up from your accommodation, ferry terminal or the airport. For those with determination and energy, biking or hiking can be considered, but this decision should not be taken lightly. The Island is large (155km long) and careful assessment of your fitness level and equipment should be made.

See the tours section of this site for more information.

Driving On Kangaroo Island

There are nearly 1,600 km of roads on the Island. The major roads between Penneshaw, American River, Kingscote, Parndana and Flinders Chase are sealed. The remainder are unsealed and require reduced speed and caution - particularly on corners and when approaching other traffic. Kangaroo Island has a small permanent population so it is impossible to keep the whole road network constantly maintained. From time to time some of the unsealed roads will be corrugated and in poor condition. Always carry a spare tyre in your vehicle.

Fuel

Fuel is available from Kingscote, American River, Island Beach, Penneshaw, Parndana, Vivonne Bay and KI Wilderness Retreat near Flinders Chase National Park. LPG is available at Kingscote and Penneshaw. A full tank is recommended before heading out on a full day of touring. Fuel stations have limited hours, some closing at 6pm.

Road Courtesy

People drive at different speeds, based on their ability, safety comfort zone or desire to see the Island at a relaxed pace. Please give consideration to other road users. Keep left and allow faster moving traffic through. If stopping to sightsee, ensure that your vehicle is not parked on the road, just around a corner or over a hill from oncoming traffic.

Agricultural Vehicles

Please be aware of agricultural vehicles, particularly when approaching blind corners or on undulating, narrow and unsealed roads. These vehicles are often longer and wider than anticipated and require care when approaching and overtaking. Approach vehicles displaying 'oversize' signs with caution - you may not be able to overtake immediately. Keep a safe distance behind trucks so that the driver can see you. Remember that if you can't see the mirrors, the driver can't see you.

Wildlife

Kangaroo Island wildlife is precious and protected - and active at night! Native animals are blinded by bright light. Slow down, dip your lights and take time to observe the wildlife. During the day, be especially careful not to hit goannas basking on the warm roads.



Home About Kangaroo Island Getting to & Around Getting To Getting Around Accommodation Tours Events Must See Must Do Wildlife & Environment Coastal Activities Rich History Food & Wine Unique Art Fun Activities Regions Maps	Getting Around Kangaroo Island A Big Island - As the third largest island off the coast of mainland Australia, Kangaroo Island is more than a day-trip destination. At 155 kilometres long and up to 55 kilometres wide, it covers an area of 4,500 square kilometres. 'We didn't realise the Island was so large' is frequently stated by visitors soon after their arrival. Bring Your Vehicle or Hire You can bring your vehicle from the mainland by ferry or you can hire a vehicle from Kingscote, Penneshaw or the airport. Four-wheel drive vehicles are not necessary. With care, you can enjoy all the Island has to offer in a conventional vehicle. Please note that some mainland car hire companies have restrictions on bringing vehicles over to Kangaroo Island and on driving on unsealed roads. Please check with your car hire company. Our suggestion is to hire a car from one of the following Island based companies. Hire Cars Budget (08) 8553 3133 www.budgetki.com Hertz 1800 088 296 (08) 8553 2390 www.hertz.com.au FCBS 4WD Hire (08) 8553 2356 www.eco-sanctuaries.com Public Transport A coach service runs twice daily between Kingscote, American River and Penneshaw connecting with SeaLink ferry services. A shuttle service operates between Kingscote Airport and Kingscote township. Bookings for both services are necessary. There is no taxi service on the Island. Airport Shuttle Service To and from Kingscote Airport to Kingscote, Emu Bay, American River and Penneshaw. Bookings essential. Phone 0427 887 575. Airport and On-Island Transfers SmartCar can organise transfers to and from any location on the Island. Bookings essential. Phone 1300 887 121. Ferry Coach Connections Sealink provide twice daily coach connection services from Kingscote and American River to the ferry and return. Touring There is a wide range of tours on the Island. Tours enable you to sit back and allow someone else to do the driving, and your guide can provide great Kangaroo Island knowledge. Coach tours are available or, alternatively, more personalised four-wheel drive tours. Most tours will pick-up from your accommodation, ferry terminal or the airport. For those with determination and energy, biking or hiking can be considered, but this decision should not be taken lightly. The Island is large (155km long) and careful assessment of your fitness level and equipment should be made. See the tours section of this site for more information. Driving On Kangaroo Island There are nearly 1,600 km of roads on the Island. The major roads between Penneshaw, American River, Kingscote, Parndana and Flinders Chase are sealed. The remainder are unsealed and require reduced speed and caution - particularly on corners and when approaching other traffic. Kangaroo Island has a small permanent population so it is impossible to keep the whole road network constantly maintained. From time to time some of the unsealed roads will be corrugated and in poor condition. Always carry a spare tyre in your vehicle. Fuel Fuel is available from Kingscote, American River, Island Beach, Penneshaw, Parndana, Vivonne Bay and KI Wilderness Retreat near Flinders Chase National Park. LPG is available at Kingscote and Penneshaw. A full tank is recommended before heading out on a full day of touring. Fuel stations have limited hours, some closing at 6pm. Road Courtesy People drive at different speeds, based on their ability, safety comfort zone or desire to see the Island at a relaxed pace. Please give consideration to other road users. Keep left and allow faster moving traffic through. If stopping to sightsee, ensure that your vehicle is not parked on the road, just around a corner or over a hill from oncoming traffic. Agricultural Vehicles Please be aware of agricultural vehicles, particularly when approaching blind corners or on undulating, narrow and unsealed roads. These vehicles are often longer and wider than anticipated and require care when approaching and overtaking. Approach vehicles displaying 'oversize' signs with caution - you may not be able to overtake immediately. Keep a safe distance behind trucks so that the driver can see you. Remember that if you can't see the mirrors, the driver can't see you. Wildlife Kangaroo Island wildlife is precious and protected - and active at night! Native animals are blinded by bright light. Slow down, dip your lights and take time to observe the wildlife. During the day, be especially careful not to hit goannas basking on the warm roads.
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