GOING TO KANGAROO ISLAND

Getting there

Getting to Kangaroo Island requires a few flights, and travelers from America to Australia must have a visa and passport. Peak flying season is December-January, because that’s summer in Australia. May and June net the lowest fares.

Round-trip restricted airfare between Kansas City and Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, recently ran from about $1,800.

From Adelaide, you can take a small plane to the island for about $40. Or you can travel a short distance to Cape Jervis and take a ferry to the island for about $26.

Package it

Because Kangaroo Island requires a fair amount of travel, it’s more fulfilling and economical to tie it to a package deal. Prices include round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, so count on at least $200 more from Kansas City. Some examples:

■ Swain Tours offers a 12-night package that includes Kangaroo Island, Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef, for $3,389 a person. A 13-night package including Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, Alice Springs, Ayer’s Rock, Great Barrier Reef and Sydney is $3,760 per person. (800) 227-9246 or http://www.swaintours.com/ .

■ Goway Travel offers a 12-night package that includes Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne, starting at $1,699 per person. Another 12-night package includes Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney, starting at $1,999 a person. (800) 387-8850 or http://www.goway.com/.

■ Qantas Vacations offers a 12-night package that includes Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne, starting at $1,699 a person. Another 12-night package including Kangaroo Island, the Great Barrier Reef and Melbourne starts at $1,899 a person. Qantas Vacations is affiliated with but not owned by Qantas Airways. (800) 348-8145 or http://www.qantasvacations.com/ .

Where to stay

All prices are in American dollars.

Bed & breakfasts

■ Cape Cassini Wilderness Retreat, $135 to $143 a night. 011-61-8-8559-2215 or .au.

■ Roo Lagoon Cottage, $94 a night. 011-61-8-8559-3267 or http://www.roolagoon.com/ .

■ Koala Lodge, $94 a night. 011-61-8-8553-9006 or http://www.koalalodge.com/ .

Hotels/motels

■ Kangaroo Island Seaview Motel, $94 to $116 a night. 011-61-8-8553-2030 or .au.

■ Ozone Seafront Hotel, $88 to $130 a night. 011-61-8-8553-2011 or http://www.ozonehotel.com/.

■ Kangaroo Island Lodge, $107 to $139 a night. 011-61-8-8553-7053 or www.kilodge .com.au.

■ Wisteria Lodge Comfort Inn, $98 to $143 a night, 011-61-8-8553-2707 or www. wisterialodgeki.com.

Hostels

■ Marty’s Place, $41 a night. 011-61-8-8553-1227 or martys oasis.com.au.

■ Timber Creek Lodge, $19 a person. 011-61-8-8559-5000 or kangaroo-island-au.com.

Money matters

One Australian dollar recently traded for 75 cents U.S.; one American dollar bought 1.33 Australian dollars.

To learn more

■ Tourism Australia: (877) SEE-AUST or www.australia .com.

■ Kangaroo Island tourism department: 011-61-8-8553-1185 or www.tourkangaroo island.com.au.