Kangaroo Island Is A Exciting Place For A Weekend Away

Kangaroo Island is the third biggest island in Australia

, following Melville and Tasmania. The island is located 112 km from the cosmopolitan city of Adelaide. A 2006 census established that the island had over 4,000 residents. If you are visiting this little paradise, there is certainly a wide variety of Kangaroo Island accommodation.

The largest town on Kangaroo Island is Kingscote which was called Reeves Point when it served as a settlement area in 1836 for Europeans. Its name was altered when a proposal was made that the town become South Australia's capital. Unfortunately this didn't happen because Kingscote did not have sufficient resources to support its increasing population. Instead, Adelaide became the capital of South Australia.

Much of the economy is derived from agriculture. This includes sheep grazing; grain, canola and potato farming; and beef farming. The island is renowned for its excellent beef from cattle which are raised in the high rainfall areas.

Fishing and the tourist industry also play a part in the economy. Approximately 140,000 tourists come to the island each year. European visitors make up roughly 25 percent of this figure. Kangaroo Island is known for the large southern rock lobsters that are netted by fisherman. The island is the only place in South Australia where eucalyptus oil is distilled.

Kangaroo Island has a temperate climate. The winters (June to September) are mild and wet. The summers (October to May) are dry and warm. During summer, temperatures on the coastline are rarely above 25C due to fresh sea breezes. In winter, the temperature fluctuates between 13 and 16 Celsius. If you are planning a winter visit, pack a few warm clothing.

More than half the island is covered with indigenous vegetation. A quarter of the region is protected in the form of conservation parks, national parks and wilderness protection areas. These include Gape Gantheaume Conservation Park, Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area, the Cape Bouguer Wilderness Protection Area, Flinders Chase National Park and the Seal Bay Conservation Park. These are all popular tourist attractions.

Take a guided walk to Seal Bay and watch lazy sea lions soaking up the sun. The Remarkable Rocks are found at the Flinders Chase National Park. These giant boulders have been amazingly sculpted by nature. Other interesting places are the huge dunes at Little Sahara, Cape Willoughby, and the Kelly Hill Caves.

Watch endearing penguins at the Kangaroo Island Penguin Center in Kingscote. And for a amazing abundance of bird life, go to Murray Lagoon. On Mount Thisby there is a lookout which was built in 2002 as a mark of respect to Matthew Flinders who was the first navigator to circumnavigate Australia. From the lookout you'll be able to see breathtaking 360 degree views.

There is lots of accommodation in Kangaroo Island. Rent a cottage on the beach at Island Beach, Stokes Bay, Snelling Beach or Emu Bay. You will also find a number of comfortable backpackers' houses where you can share inexpensive lodgings. In addition to bedrooms, these houses have big living areas, dining areas, and fully equipped kitchens. Some also have games rooms. Your other choices include motels and hotels, B&Bs, caravan and camping sites, holiday apartments and resorts.

by: Sidney

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