2023/24 - A 6 Day Kangaroo Island Tour

Kangaroo Island, because of its variety and abundance of wildlife, has often been described as a "zoo without fences". Kangaroo Island’s first official settlers arrived in July 1836 aboard the Duke of York. For the first free settlement in Australia, Kingscote was dogged by the lack of water and suitable building timber. After 4 years it was abandoned in favour of Adelaide. Today Kangaroo Island is one of Australia’s best known and loved holiday destinations. After suffering from serious summer fires a couple of years ago, the resilient tourism industry is up and running again and welcoming visitors to their special place. Most of the local infrastructure was spared. Unfortunately the Flinders Chase Visitors Centre was destroyed along with some properties at the western end of the Island but mostly KI is open for business and would welcome your visit.

Day 1 (LD): Heading Off

Welcome to our 6 day tour to Kangaroo Island. Once the coach is loaded and everyone is on board we are ready to go. This morning we bypass Geelong and make our way to Winchelsea. Our morning tea stop is at the Barwon Park Mansion – a National Trust property. We then follow the highway through Colac and Camperdown to Warrnambool for a late lunch. This afternoon, our journey takes us through Port Fairy and Heywood across the border into South Australia to Mount Gambier for our overnight stay. (Meal inclusions: Light lunch/Welcome dinner). 

Presidential Motel, Mount Gambier Tel 08 87249966 - 1 night

Day 2 (BLD): To KI

From Mount Gambier we head north through Penola and Naracoorte to Keith where we join the Western Highway through to Tailem Bend. You may have heard of the new international, award winning, state of the art Motorsport Park – The Bend – near Tailem Bend. We will drive in for a quick look and some lunch before continuing to Victor Harbor - and then onto Cape Jervis in time for the late afternoon ferry service. It takes just 40 minutes to complete the crossing to Penneshaw. Our accommodation is in the small village of American River to the east of Kingscote - an ideal base from which to explore KI (Meal inclusions: Breakfast in the motel/Light lunch/Welcome dinner) 

Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge, American River Tel 08 8553 7053 – 3 nights

Day 3 (BLD): Kangaroo Island

There are two major wildlife areas we have planned to visit today – Seal Bay and the Flinders Chase National Park. Our first appointment is at the famous Seal Bay for a chance to walk on the beach amongst the colony of Australian Sea Lions who live here all year round. It is an unforgettable experience to be guided by a National Parks Ranger, along the beach, within metres of the bulls, cows and sea pups as they rest on the beach. We then head towards the south western end of Kangaroo Island – the area most affected by the recent fires.

This afternoon we visit the Flinders Chase National Park, Remarkable Rocks, Cape du Couedic and Admirals Arch where we can see close up a colony of New Zealand Fur Seals who live in the sea and the rocks just below us. At Rocky River we should see plenty of Cape Barren Geese and maybe a Tamar Wallaby or two. (Meal inclusions: Breakfast & dinner in the hotel/Picnic lunch)

Day 4 (BLD): KI – Natural Produce

We have planned to visit a number of small and unusual Kangaroo Island attractions today. This morning we will visit two unique ventures - run by some unique Kangaroo Island characters!

The first one is Clifford’s Honey Farm – home to Kangaroo Island’s own population of Ligurian bees (the only pure strain in the world) producing 10,000 kilograms of delectable honey each year. The bees were imported in 12 hives from the Italian province of Liguria in the 1880s, and remain protected from other breeds of bee by the island’s isolation. Next is Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery where we take a product tour.

Lunch today is at the Emu Bay Lavender Farm – a farm gate cafe set amongst rows of Lavender. Here they make and package an extensive range of lavender products on site. The cafe is famous for its oversized lavender scones and handmade ice cream!! (Meal inclusions: Breakfast & dinner in the motel/Light lunch)

Day 5 (BLD): Heading Home

This morning, we make our way back to Penneshaw to connect with the mid-morning ferry service to Cape Jervis (departs at 10.30am). Once back on the mainland, we travel to the small seaside village of Normanville for a light lunch. From here we head into the Mount Lofty Ranges and an afternoon stop at Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German Settlement. From here we continue to Murray Bridge for our final night on tour. (Meal inclusions: Breakfast & dinner in the motel/Light lunch)

Bridgeport Hotel, Murray Bridge 08 85322002 - 1 night

Day 6 (B): Heading Home

We have a travel day ahead of us as we make our way to Bordertown, then Nhil and Horsham, for our lunch break. We will arrive home late afternoon to complete a sensational 6 day tour. (Meal inclusions: Breakfast in the motel)

Tour Price

The tour price ($1,970 per person sharing a twin or double room) is dependent on a minimum of 35 paying customers. Should the number of bookings not reach the minimum of 35 the following prices apply –

Min 30 - $2,020 per person twin/double share

Min 25 - $2,090 per person twin/double share

Min 20 - $2,200 per person twin/double share

Add $520 for a guaranteed single room (on application)

Price Valid until 31 March 2024

Tour Inclusions

Tour Price includes accommodation as per the itinerary, meals as indicated (B= Cooked breakfast, L= Light or packed lunch, D = Buffet or limited choice dinner), deluxe touring coach with seatbelts, attractions/entries as noted & return airport transfers.

Next Steps

To arrange a tour for your club simply contact Alex Corones from Australian Road Journeys on 0488 117 682 with your preferred date of travel – he will do the rest! When everything is confirmed, ARJ will provide printed itineraries for distribution to interested club members.

Read some testimonials from past groups here.

Tour Conditions

A deposit of $350 per person is required to secure your booking. This deposit is fully refundable until 60 days prior to the day of departure. Final payment is required 45 days prior to the day of departure. Bookings cancelled within 14 days prior to the day of departure are non-refundable. No additional cancellation fees apply.

Personal Travel Insurance is strongly recommended.

The Itinerary may be subject to change without notice. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided, Australian Road Journey’s reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company’s control. Alterations may be made to ensure the smooth running of the tour.  Every attempt will be made to ensure alterations do not adversely affect the operation of the tour. Australian Road Journey’s will not be held responsible for weather based cancellations or those closures made at the venue’s discretion. All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening times/days of some attractions, e.g. churches, wineries etc.