Frequently Asked Questions

It is not always easy finding the accommodation most suited to your needs.

To help you with your plans on Kangaroo Island, we provide more information here.

More about KI Dragonfly Guesthouse

What style of accommodation is the Dragonfly?

KI Dragonfly Guesthouse is hosted, privately owned accommodation.
Your hosts live on site and are available to help you if required.
There is a main house, and a cabin available for short term hire.

Is it shared facilities?

If you have booked a room in the main house then you will share facilities with other guests.
There are four bedrooms - three with a queen size bed, and one with two single beds.
There are two spacious clean bathrooms, each with two shower cubicles and two separate toilets.
There is a large, extremely well equipped kitchen boasting a farm style kitchen table that seats up to 10 people (we also use this kitchen).
Additional dining areas include the front porch, that has a long table seating 8-10 people, and an outdoor area at the back, where you will find a smaller table for 4-6 people.

What if I don't like to share facilities?

If you are a lone traveller, or a couple exploring the island, we can recommend the Garden Cabin.
This is a fully self contained studio style room tucked away in our rear garden.
This room has a queen size bed, kitchenette and lounge area, with an adjoining ensuite bathroom.
Guests in this space are welcome to use the kitchen in the main house.
The cabin is strictly for a maximum of two people in a queen size bed.

Is the Dragonfly suitable for children?

The Garden Cabin is not suitable for children.
We are able to accommodate children in the main house.
We have a baby bath, portacot and high chair available for use.
Please note that we have two small dogs, so if children are nervous around dogs, we may not be a suitable option.
Please be mindful that the main house has shared facilities with other guests.

How do we pay for our accommodation?

When you book online, you need to provide your credit card details to secure the booking, however, we do not charge your card at the time of your booking unless requested to do so.
We can provide you with bank account details if you prefer to transfer your payment.
Please note that we charge guests on arrival; you will therefore be asked to fix your account when you check in.

What is your cancellation policy?

As we charge on arrival, you have up until your date of arrival to cancel.
For this reason, we appreciate notice of your cancellation as early as possible.

Are you pet friendly?

As we have two small dogs of our own, we cannot allow other pets to stay with us, unfortunately.
Please note that there are numerous National Parks on Kangaroo Island, and you are unable to take pets there.
There are a couple of dog sitters on the island.
Both of our dogs are quite small and very friendly - they love to meet our guests.
Please do not book with us if you do not like, or fear dogs.

Do you have a laundry on site?

We have a laundry on site for our use - guests are welcome to use this between the hours of 2pm and 8pm.
We charge the same rates as our local Laundromat. $5 for the washing machine, $5 for the dryer.

When can we check in and out?

We follow the industry standard.
Check in is between 2pm and 8pm. Please provide us with your ETA, and arrive within 30 minutes of this time.
If you are unsure of your ETA, please phone or message us when you have an idea.
If we are not on site when you arrive, please contact us and we will provide instructions of how to gain access and find your room
Call Susi 0400 197 231 or Bruno 0407 677 109 (you will need a code to enter, which we change regularly).
Please check out before 10am.

More about Kingscote

How far is Kingscote from the Sealink Ferry and the Airport?

Kingscote is a 45-minute drive from Penneshaw, where the ferry comes in, and a 15 minute drive from the airport..

What facilities are available in Kingscote?

Kingscote is the largest township on the Island with the most facilities, however, it is still reasonably quiet.
There is a supermarket, two petrol stations, ATMs, a Post Office, plus a few shops all within walking distance of the Dragonfly.
We have three wine bars in the township, plus two pubs, and a handful of cafes and restaurants, including the ever popular Cactus Cafe.
Many establishments are family owned and have shorter business hours than can be experienced in city locations.
One of the petrol stations is currently open 24/7 (with a small but expensive supermarket).
In general, restaurants close by around 8pm (hours vary in summer and winter for some establishments).
The supermarket hours vary during the week compared to the weekend, and are open longer over summer. Supermarket hours are displayed at the Guesthouse.

Are there any attractions or activities nearby?

Kingscote has a tidal pool, which is a 10 minute walk from the Dragonfly.
There is a wharf precinct that has an abundance of wildlife - pelicans, shags, seagulls and Pacific Gulls are rarely far away; during winter there are usually seals on the rocks by the main jetty (you may even be lucky to spot a whale in the bay). Dolphins and sharks are occasionally spotted. The main jetty is a popular fishing and snorkelling spot (keep an eye out for the leafy sea dragon!)
Reeves Point - a popular bird watching area - is 2-minutes by car, 20-30 minutes by foot (you may even spy an echidna).
Kingscote has three Art Galleries bursting with local talent, as well as a Museum, a regular market, and just on the outskirts of town you will find Bay of Shoals Wines and Kangaroo Island Brewery.
During winter, there is an open mic night at the local Yacht Club.
There are many wellness options on Kangaroo Island. In addition to the She Emerges wellbeing experience for women offered at the Dragonfly, you can receive: a massage, Reiki, Shamanic experience and more. See Wellness on KI for more information.
Emu Bay is a short 15 minute drive from here - we highly recommend stopping at the Lavender Farm for breakfast, lunch or for something in between.
In neighbouring Cygnet River, you will find Kangaroo Island Wool, two wineries (The Islander Estate, Springs Road), the famous KI Spirits. and Duck Lagoon is another great place for bird watching and koala spotting.

Getting to Kangaroo Island

When should I book my ferry or flight?

It is advisable to book your transport to the island AS SOON AS POSSIBLE after you have booked your accommodation.
Please do not drive to Cape Jervis hoping to get on “the next ferry”. During peak periods they are often booked out months in advance, and in wintertime there are fewer services.

How do I travel by sea?

There is one ferry service between Kangaroo Island and mainland South Australia (offered by Sealink).
It sails between Cape Jervis (on the mainland) and Penneshaw (on Kangaroo Island).
This is a passenger and vehicle ferry.
If you are driving to Cape Jervis, allow 1.5 - 2 hours to drive from Adelaide (check your online map for exact timing).
You need to arrive and check in 30 minutes before the ferry departure time. There are currently roadworks along the way, so allow more time.
If you are walking on, it is a little more complicated:
- You can arrange to leave a vehicle at the Cape Jervis terminal if you don't need it on the island (ie, if you have booked a tour, or arranged to hire a car on the island).
- You can catch a bus from Adelaide to Cape Jervis, either early in the morning (Sealink) or middle of the afternoon (LinkSA). There are numerous pick up locations between Adelaide city centre and Cape Jervis.
- Once you arrive on the Island, you can pick up a hire car from Penneshaw (it is advisable to arrange this before you travel) or catch the shuttle service between Penneshaw and Kingscote.
- As with the bus service to Cape Jervis, the shuttle service is limited to two sailings per day (morning and night).
- If you are driving from Penneshaw to Kingscote late at night, or early in the morning, please be extra careful of wildlife (it is best to avoid this time if you can, but not always possible).
- If you are not bringing or hiring a car, you will need to consider booking a tour. Kangaroo Island Is too big to walk around to go sightseeing.

How do I travel by air?

If you don't own a private plane, there is only one airline that services Kangaroo Island. QANTAS flies from Adelaide Airport to the Kangaroo Island Airport, located a few kilometres outside of Kingscote.
The flight from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island takes approximately 20 minutes.
The airport is 15 minutes out of Kingscote.
If you are not hiring a car from the Airport, you need to book a transfer from the Airport to the Dragonfly Guesthouse.
Contact KI Transfers on bookings@kangarooislandtransfers.com.au or phone 0427 887 575.

This sounds complicated - what is the best way to book my transport?

We recommend that you contact Kingscote Travel to arrange your travel needs.
Email travel@kingscotetravel.com.au or phone +61 8 8553 3154.

Do you have any other local advice?

If possible, avoid ferries that are extremely early in the morning, or very late at night. This will require driving at night, when the wildlife are more active.
If this cannot be avoided, there is accommodation available in Cape Jervis. If you require assistance, do not hesitate to contact us for advice.

A little more about Kangaroo Island

What is the ideal length of stay on the Island?

Kangaroo Island is MUCH bigger than most people anticipate - it's 155 km east to west.
Most attractions require a lot of driving, regardless of where you stay.
We recommend a minimum of 3 days, longer if you can (not necessarily with us - Island hop if you prefer!).
Plan your trip to ensure that you have time to enjoy it without rushing.
It is advisable to have water and snacks with you when going on outings, and to plan your trip carefully so that you are near a café or restaurant at meal time. We can help you with your itinerary :)

What is communications coverage like on the Island?

Kangaroo Island is remote, therefore, coverage is not always reliable.
Most providers have coverage in the townships, but as you leave them, you are unlikely to have any reception. Optus and Telstra have towers in more remote areas.
If you don't have a reliable provider, it is recommended that you do your research and copy maps before you set off for each day.

Is there any public transport?

There are no public bus services or taxis on Kangaroo Island.
It is highly advisable that you bring or hire a car, or book a tour.
We have a couple of old bicycles you can borrow and it is possible to hire electric bikes locally, however you will be extremely limited to what you can see by bike..

Do we need an off-road vehicle?

While there are only a few sealed/paved roads (many are dirt) you do not need a 4WD vehicle.
If you are hiring a car, check the policy to see if you can take the car on dirt roads.
Some roads are not maintained that well, so it is highly advisable that ask someone which of the dirt roads are okay for driving on.
The good news is that the roads to the major attractions / sites are paved..
There are a couple of beaches you can drive on. We personally do not like this, as the plover bird lays its eggs on the sand. Either way, do not drive on the beach if you do not have a 4WD. A few visitors have needed to be rescued before the tide comes in.

Do you have any other advice about driving?

Remember to drive on the LEFT!
NEVER stop in the middle of the road to take a photo of wildlife. Always check your rear view before stopping, and pull off into a safe area. Check the roads before crossing.
Do not enter private property.

Any final, important information I should know?

Kangaroo Island has some very strict biosecurity restrictions.
Please do not bring honey, potatoes, or plants to the Island. These will be confiscated at Cape Jervis by Quarantine Officers.
Our island is rabbit and fox free, so if you have a pet rabbit, please leave it at home, otherwise you will be asked to leave the Island if found with it (Yes! This has happened!!).
Plan ahead and take your time - prepare to be amazed and to chill out. Take life down a notch.