"Down under 'Down Under': Kangaroo Island" Top 5 Page for this destination Kangaroo Island by Quero


Kangaroo Island Travel Guide: 185 reviews and 314 photos

FAQ: Would the *real* K.I. please stand up?

Since there are *seven* Kangaroo Islands (plus one North Kangaroo Island) listed in VTs place names, all in Australia, this is a valid question. Every one of these actually exists, according to the Australian government's geosciences department, and VT even missed one (East Kangaroo Island, Tasmania).

But more to the point, the particular Kangaroo Island most people visit for tourism is the one in South Australia, not far from Adelaide. Just a short hop, really, from the mainland.

Click the map to enlarge so you can see where the little dot of the island is in relation to the mainland.

FAQ: Why is it called Kangaroo Island?

Well, there's one obvious reason...

Yes, there are kangaroos on Kangaroo Island, an endemic subspecies of the gray kangaroo, and there are also wallabies. (As far as I can tell, there's not a whole lot of difference between one and the other--sort of like the difference between a horse and a pony--one is smaller, but they are essentially the same animal.)

You can see kangaroos all over the place--lazing in the sun during the daytime, and out forraging at night, mainly at dusk.

So why isn't the entire continent of Australia called Kangaroo Island (I mean, aren't there kangaroos on the mainland, too?) Well, it seems that when the island was "discovered," the crew of the sailing ship that made landfall slaughtered, roasted, and feasted on kangaroos (sick of fish, fish, fish at every meal, I guess). They must have eaten well, since the name stuck.

FAQ: So, if I can see kangaroos anyplace, why...?

Ahhhhh. You must understand that it's not *just* kangaroos. There are all kinds of critters to observe and point your camera at, including sea lions, koalas, echidnas, emus, goannas, and penguins. Take a look at my travel tips to get glimpses of some of the ones I saw.

In adddition to the wild life, there is the wild landscape with its coastline and amazing breakers, wind-carved stone, and dunes. You'll find examples in my travel tips.

Pros and Cons
  • In a nutshell:Don't settle for a day trip
  • Last visit to Kangaroo Island: Dec 2003
  • Intro Updated Nov 25, 2004
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Reviews (22)

Comments (14)

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  • Jim_Eliason's Profile Photo
    Jim_Eliason Oct 30, 2008 at 5:43 AM Report Abuse

    Great page!

  • AKtravelers's Profile Photo
    AKtravelers Jan 6, 2007 at 12:44 AM Report Abuse

    We're so jealous -- we NEVER saw a platypus!

  • kenHuocj's Profile Photo
    kenHuocj May 23, 2006 at 4:30 AM Report Abuse

    an interesting camping trip ;-)))

  • mtncorg's Profile Photo
    mtncorg Jun 28, 2005 at 3:27 PM Report Abuse

    Magic just off shore. what is this about no shower? ;-]

  • ferdnbean's Profile Photo
    ferdnbean Apr 11, 2005 at 8:00 AM Report Abuse

    Great stuff in your pages, Marcia. Here's a virtual wink back at'cha! Ferd

  • Myndo's Profile Photo
    Myndo Dec 15, 2004 at 9:17 AM Report Abuse

    Superb tips on that island, brings back a lot of memories. I just wish I could have stayed longer!

  • Gerrem's Profile Photo
    Gerrem Dec 14, 2004 at 11:12 PM Report Abuse

    Great pages, very interisting and nice pictures !

  • JetlagCity's Profile Photo
    JetlagCity Dec 3, 2004 at 3:43 PM Report Abuse

    What a fantastic place to see so much wildlife - super pictures of everything! You really were roughing it out there in the bush camp!

  • roamer61's Profile Photo
    roamer61 Nov 26, 2004 at 5:00 AM Report Abuse

    Looks like a great place to study Australian Wildlife. Great pics of the wildlife. Next time I am downunder, gotta look into Kangaroo island.

  • craic's Profile Photo
    craic Nov 26, 2004 at 3:12 AM Report Abuse

    Great shot of the bad possum! What a lovely holiday you had.

Quero

“Nessa estrada, não nos cabe conhecer ou ver o que virá. O fim dela, ninguem sabe bem ao certo onde vai dar. --Toquinho”

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