Exceptional Kangaroo Island FAQs. View our comprehensive list of frequently asked questions about our tours. If your question is missing, you can contact us.
We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions about Exceptional Kangaroo Island. If you cannot see your question, please ask us using the form at the bottom.
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Yes, we can; however, it is an additional service. Most people find it quite convenient to get a taxi or rideshare.
Not unless you are taking a private tour.
Time, distance and logistics mean that only those people travelling by air or who have spent the night on the island (at a select range of Kangaroo Island accommodation options) will be able to join a small group tour that day.
After more than 30 years of touring, we have found that most of our guests want to:
Yes. We have three one day tours that you can book individually, or combined as multi day tours.
These one day tours are:
We operate daily except for Christmas Day, and each tour option provides some flexibility in terms of themes followed or topics interpreted, depending upon the interests of the group.
Private tours can focus on landscape exploration and wildlife encounters or tailored to special interests such as photography, birdwatching, arts and culture, food and wine and wildlife conservation.
Our small group tours operate with a minimum of 2 and maximum of 10 guests. If you are a solo traveller, we can usually accommodate you on an existing departure.
We have eight vehicles in our fleet and often cater for private groups using several vehicles.
Small group tours are those where you will share your day within a small group. It means that the itinerary is set.
Our standard policy is that we have a maximum of three pick-ups/drop-offs daily – this might be American River, Kingscote and the Airport as an example.
Private tours allow you or your group to tour by yourself and the opportunity to design an experience that suits your interests.
Naturally, a higher price is charged for a private tour but once you reach a certain group size, private becomes more cost-effective than small group touring.
You can arrange everything yourself but check with us to ensure that your arrangements fit logistically.
We have a small group tour pick-up zone which is illustrated on this map – this shows where we can collect you from. If you stay outside of this zone, you need to self-drive to meet us at a pre-determined start-point, get a transfer, or take a private tour.
Private tours start from anywhere on the Island. You may find it easier for us to arrange accommodation and transfers, which saves you time, gives peace of mind and should be the same cost as booking yourself.
Given that Little Penguins work very long days and only come ashore after dark you will need to book a nocturnal tour, which we can arrange. This may mean that you will have to stay at one of our preferred accommodations, or at least at a location from which we can pick you up. Start times vary due to seasonal change in length of day, but it is always after dinner in the evening.
Little penguin numbers are not high in any of the Kangaroo Island colonies. A long-term trend of declining Little Penguin populations around the Island and elsewhere in South Australia coincided with an increase in Long-nosed fur-seal numbers which are expanding following a significant reduction in numbers through sealing in the early 1800s.
Some people put the blame entirely on fur-seals whose numbers are now stabilising following a rapid increase. Nature is complex – it is likely the penguin population change is related to a range of factors:
Regardless of the reasons, the fact remains that penguin numbers are down. There are other nocturnal birds and animals you can see after dark, and if the sky is clear, the southern skies are awe-inspiring.
Please contact us for information about nocturnal tour options as they vary depending on where you stay.
At Exceptional Kangaroo Island, we believe that meaningful travel experiences should be available to everyone.
Our small group, and private tours take place in remote environments and varied terrain, and we aim to make them as accessible as is safely and practically possible.
We warmly invite people with disabilities or specific access needs to contact us so we can discuss your requirements, expectations, and the suitability of our experiences, as depending on your level of mobility, it may be more suitable to take a private tour.
Over many years, guests with a wide range of abilities have enjoyed our tours. Every person is unique, and the best place to begin is always a conversation. We understand you may have questions about whether our experiences are right for you, and we want to take the time to understand your needs before you book.
Because our tours operate in natural environments and use small vehicles, there are some practical considerations:
Our priority is to ensure that your experience is enjoyable, safe, and aligned with what we can realistically deliver in a small-group or private outdoor touring setting. A pre‑booking conversation is essential so we can assess suitability together.
About 15% of our guests make their arrangements directly with us and the balance work with travel advisors.
We have travel partners in many locations.
If you want a recommendation for someone local who can assist with your visit, advise us of your city and country, and we will link you up where we can. A local travel advisor works in the same time zone, currency and is covered by your home country consumer protection legislation.
If you are planning your travel independently, you can work directly with us.
However, if we receive an enquiry for you from one of our partners, and then you contact us directly, we would refer you back to them to complete the arrangements.
As specified in our booking terms and conditions, our cancellation policy is:
Tours operate daily except Christmas Day when some destinations are closed – this is an important family holiday for most Australians.
QantasLink operate between one to two flights per day to Kangaroo Island. They have a luggage limit of 23kg (50lb) per person. They do not offer a luggage storage option.
If you bring excess luggage over to the Island there may be extra charges for carriage and handling if it exceeds weight and space capacity.
If you are staying in Adelaide before and after your Kangaroo Island trip, please consider leaving large luggage in your hotel.
Yes. We regularly provide vegan, no red meat, low fat, gluten-free and kosher-compatible meals. What is critical is clearly communicating your needs in advance – once we are out in the bush, we are very limited in catering for a special dietary need on the spot!
Clarity is imperative – ‘vegetarian’ is meaningless – we need to know: eggs yes/no, dairy yes/no, fish yes/no and so on.
If you are ‘flexitarian’ then please make your mind up in advance what you need on tour – we do not waste great food by catering ‘just in case’.
Find out more about tour catering.
Depending upon logistics on the day, we collect guests from a range of accommodation options and/or the airport.
For small group touring, accommodation pick-ups will be confirmed the day before touring, usually between 8:30 and 9:30am. We have a maximum of 3 pick-ups per tour, ie your location plus a maximum of 2 others.
At the end of the day, we connect with departure flights for a 4:00pm check-in.
For private touring, accommodation pick-ups will also be confirmed one day prior to touring, usually between 9:00 and 9:30am and drop-off will usually between 5 and 6pm.
We have a trust account where money paid in advance is set aside and only transferred to our general account once services have been provided.
This means if you have to cancel, subject to applicable cancellation funds, your funds are always available.
We have responsibilities to our staff, community, environment and to you as our customer. You also have responsibilities as a traveller in being prepared for the experience.
Collectively, these responsibilities are clearly outlined in our booking terms and conditions.
We are fair-minded, so if you think some of this is unreasonable, tell us and we will review it. These conditions are meant to be just and provide clarity and protection for us both.
Small group tours consist of a maximum of 10 passengers and follow a set itinerary.
| ADULT (13+) | $652.00 |
| CHILD (6-12) | $555.00 |
Private tour prices start from $2516 AUD per day for 2 guests.
Please make an enquiry for accurate pricing for a private tour.
Please note:
Exceptional Kangaroo Island is a family-owned business.
We (Craig and Janet Wickham) are long-time residents of the Island with two adult children who often work in the business.
We have a passion for sharing the Island with guests and, together with our small but experienced holiday planning team and enthusiastic guides, it is our job to connect you with the best Kangaroo Island offers.
Find out more about our team.
