Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third largest island (after Tasmania and Melville Island). Over a quarter of the island is conserved in National Parks, Conservation Parks or Wilderness Protection Areas and its isolation from the mainland over the last 9,000 years has made it a sanctuary for native flora and fauna now extinct on the mainland. Kangaroo Island is one of South Australia’s best kept secrets.

Day 1 (L,D) HOME, KANGAROO ISLAND

Melbourne passengers are either met at their metropolitan home/hotel for transfer to Essendon Airport, or provide their own transport to the airport. Free parking is available. Light refreshments as we fly. On arrival we fly “low and slow” to enjoy coastal views of parts of the island including Cape Borda Lighthouse prior to landing at Kingscote Airport. Our modern coaches await and we take the short journey to American River, a beautiful coastal location, where a delicious luncheon awaits. During the afternoon enjoy a visit to Pennington Bay, a favourite surfing beach with huge waves heard several kilometres away in windy weather, on route to Island Pure Sheep Dairy, with a dairy flock of 1,500 milking sheep. The Centre includes a cheese and yoghurt making facility producing world class yoghurt and cheeses including several European styles. Taste the products, purchase if you wish. Later in the afternoon join the daily pelican feeding show. Our accommodation for two nights is either the Ozone Seafront Hotel at Kingscote or All Seasons Kangaroo Island Lodge at American River Resort. Relax, maybe enjoy a drink with new found friends prior to dinner together.

Day 2 (B,L,D) KANGAROO ISLAND

A leisurely breakfast, time for a stroll prior to departing by coach to explore parts of the scenic Kangaroo Island coast. Enjoy the Hanson Bay koala walk and educational talk prior to entering Flinders Chase National Park. A picnic lunch (location weather dependent) before continuing into the National Park to Remarkable Rocks, a huge rocky outcrop of weather sculptured granite boulders perched on a granite outcrop 75 metres above the sea. A short walk for the best views of this favourite picture postcard location. Next we visit Cape du Couedic with its 1909 lighthouse and Admirals Arch, complete with a large colony of New Zealand fur seals, plus many dolphins. Time to walk to the viewing platform to watch these amazing creatures. Departing the National Park we enjoy a visit to the island’s only distillery, Kangaroo Island Spirits. Hand made in small batches featuring local ingredients, enjoy a tasting of these liqueurs, purchase if you wish. Following dinner tonight you may wish to join the local penguin watching. Observe these unique birds in a small environmentally friendly atmosphere as they return from the day’s fishing (no additional cost).

Day 3 (B,L) KANGAROO ISLAND, HOME

Several highlights today. We visit Seal Bay, home of around 500 sea lions and join a guided walk from the Information Centre down to a viewing platform above the sand. Sea lions are often found in the dunes either side of the track. A series of steps from the viewing platforms onto the beach, where we can watch the sea lions from a safe distance. (An adult male sea lion can weigh 350 kg.) Note that the track is quite steep and there are approximately 20 steps onto the beach. For those who feel this walk is “not for me” there is a level cliff top walk which overlooks the beach and from which good (but not close up) views may be enjoyed. On to another highlight, the Raptor Domain “Birds of Prey” free flight presentation featuring wedge-tailed eagles, barn owls, kookaburras and much more. An exciting first class show! Our third highlight is the Andermel Marron Farm. Marron are freshwater crayfish and are farmed here in an amazing and huge series of outdoor ponds. It takes around two and a half years from birth to reach preferred eating size. Marron have the best meat to shell ratio of any crustacean in the world at 43%. Our coach will take us on a short farm tour followed by a visit to the indoor demonstration shed. A vineyard on the property produces excellent wines under the “Two Wheeler” label and we enjoy a wine tasting prior to a most enjoyable three course luncheon, including wines and freshly cooked marron, prior to returning to Kingscote Airport for our charter flight to Essendon Airport, with refreshments from the bar as we fly. On arrival at Essendon Airport Melbourne passengers depart or are transferred home. So concludes a most enjoyable short break holiday on South Australia’s best kept secret – Kangaroo Island.