Kangaroo Island’s Wild Ones

The youth hostel association of Southern Australia has developed a package to help independent budget travelers visit one of Australia’s most fascinating islands.

Kangaroo Island, 70 miles south of Adelaide, offers wildlife lovers koalas in treetops, kangaroos that nibble treats from your hand and beach-sharing with sea lions.

Most visitors arrive on a 55-minute ferry ride from Cape Jervis on the mainland to Penneshaw. They stay in inexpensive cottage-style lodgings for hostel members.

The big problem is getting around. The island is 90 by 30 miles, and has no public transportation.

To reach key sights spread around the island you must join a tour, rent a car or find a lift. Road surfaces are covered with small pebbles, hindering cycling.

National Park

One of the best sites is Flinders Chase National Park. It’s one of the largest and most important national parks in Australia.

In some rest-stop areas you can see koalas in treetops, at others the kangaroos are so friendly that picnic tables are surrounded by fencing so visitors can eat in peace.

Another fascinating stop is Seal Bay, a conservation area more than 30 miles from Penneshaw, where visitors can wander down a beach covered with sea lions lazing in the sun. They are approachable, except when a mother is separated from her pup or during spring when males can be temperamental.

The new packages offer budget visitors return ferry transportation from Cape Jervis, one night in a motel-style unit (with swimming pool, sauna, tennis, restaurant and bar), meals, a full day “Best of Kangaroo Island” tour and another half-day tour of your choice.

The cost is $177 Australian (about $145 U.S.), plus $19 single supplement. You can start on Saturdays, Mondays or Wednesdays and arrange to stay extra days. The ferry does not operate in July and August.

If you don’t take the package and you have an International Student Identity Card or International Youth Hostel Federation Card, you’re eligible for a discount on the ferry.

This and other packages are available through the offices of the Australian Youth Hostel Assn.

In Adelaide, contact the Youth Hostel Assn. of Southern Australia, First Floor, Recreation and Sport Administration, King William and Stuart streets, Adelaide 500. The office opens at 11 a.m. and is closed on weekends and public holidays.

Trekkers heading for Tasmania will find a variety of guided hikes available to the popular Cradle Mountain area from the Deloraine youth hostel. The Deloraine hostel is on the Redline bus route about 30 miles from Launceston. It’s closed from June until September.

Guided day-walks operate three times a week for $25 Australian. Two-day treks go every Sunday in January and February for $100 Australian, all-inclusive.

The Australian bus company Deluxe Coachlines is adding 20 double-decker buses with TVs and reclining seats on its long-distance routes. That’s good news for students and young visitors because IYHF and ISIC card holders are eligible for a 10% discount on normal express fares.