- Height above sea level: 299 m;
- Area: 4,405 km²;
- Population: 4,259 (2006).
Kangaroo Island, owned by Australia , is located next to the Bay of Saint Vincent and its size is inferior to Tasmania and the island of Melville. The area of the island is a little less than 4.5 thousand square kilometers, it attracts with its pristine nature and a large protected area. In the vast part of the island, human activities are not carried out, and the third part is reserved for reserves. As of 2006, there were a little more than 4,000 residents.
History
The exploration of the island began in 1802, and a year later the first settlers appeared there, which were runaway prisoners. Also here were whalers hunting seals. According to research 2000 years before, nobody lived on the island.
The official village was founded in 1836 and the locals conducted agricultural activities, as the population of seals had already been completely destroyed. At the end of the century, the Australian authorities began the first steps towards the preservation of nature, which subsequently led to the establishment of many protected areas.
Infrastructure Features
The main city on the island of Kangaroo in Australia is the city of Kingscote, in which there are:
- airport;
- points of public catering;
- the shops;
- gas stations;
- and other elements of civilization.
The second city of the island is Penneshaw, located in the east. There are also shops and pubs, but there is no airport, but there is a small port where ferries from the mainland are.
Other villages and villages are smaller, they have shops, gas stations, post offices. A separate mention deserves the South - on the coast are built separately-standing hotels for tourists.
To travel, you should use the car, because the taxi here does not work, and places on the bus are not always available - it is better to book them in advance. Moreover, they do not go everywhere and routes do not connect all the sights.
Observation platforms
Immediately worth noting the prospect Hill, located near Penneshaw. It connects two parts of the islet. There is also an observation deck with an excellent view, but it is necessary to walk on it for about ten minutes on the stairs.
The second viewing platform is on the way to the American River settlement. It has a view of the town itself, the ocean and even Australia, but the mainland is only visible on a sunny, clear day.
Nature and animals
Animals are found not only in protected areas, but also throughout the territory. Drivers in the dark need to be extremely careful - the animals are activated, constantly jumping out onto the roadway.
If we speak in general about the animal world, then it is represented:
- wallaby and kangaroo - they jump even on farmlands;
- penguins - on the island there are excursions to their habitats;
- koalas;
- New Zealand seals and sea lions.
Other natural attractions
Remarcable Rocks is a unique rock, characterized by a strange shape, but it can be completely erased. The rock is in the Flinders-Chase park . If you get into it, be sure to take the opportunity to see the Admiral Arch.
But in Kelly Hill with its magnificence attract natural limestone caves. Also on the island there is ... desert! The very real - with dunes and barkhans, albeit small! And the corresponding one is called Little Sahara!
How to get there?
It is most accessible by ferry to the city of Penneshaw. From the mainland, ferries depart from Cape Jervis. It is best to get from Adelaide on the same ferry transport. The fastest way to get to the island is by plane from the airport of Adelaide - the flight duration is only 35 minutes.
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