CAMP WILD TOUR: Kangaroo Island

The Chapman River snakes its way through some of the most picturesque country at the eastern end of Kangaroo Island. And most times of the year you'll find a few holidaymakers dangling a line, and pulling in a few local bream, even if they are a bit undersized. This has always been a top fishing spot, and for those who simply want to get away from it all, the local camping ground set in pristine scrub, offers the perfect retreat. If you follow the Chapman you'll eventually find yourself at one of South Australia's best kept secrets.

"Here at antechamber, the beach stretches into the distance and on days like this, you're lucky enough to have it all to yourself. Out there is the Cape Willoughby Lighthouse and across the water you can just make out the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula".

But the secret is now out, as these campers get ready for their first night under the stars on an island which is steadily attracting young travellers from around the globe. This little gathering represents a virtual United Nations of backpackers. They've come from Israel, Canada, Norway, Austria and the UK and for Eric, the trip to Australia has been on the books since he was ten. He lives in a heavily industrialised city in the former East German republic a long way from the unspoilt beauty of Lashmar Conservation Park. Everyone chips in, with Camp Wild Tour Guide Tim Grigg handing out the orders and the swags as preparations for the evening meal get underway.

"So who's getting voted off the island tonight?"

"I'm not going back on that boat"

"Wasn't that rough coming over?"

All have survived a rough crossing of Backstairs Passage in a specially charted boat. And while they really want to rest up, the all-for-one and one-for-all policy means that if they don't help, they don't eat. Here sentiment plays no part in the menu selection. Tonight it's the island's name sake….Kangaroo.

"Yer, most people say they love the steak. And next day - isn't that cute!"

Postcards caught up with the Camp Wild crew in summer with these bush novices enjoying a special experience, the great Aussie Campfire.

"Why such a deep hole for the fire to begin with?"

"Basically, we need to satisfy the CFS regulations….uhm in what's called the fire danger period which is from September to April, where you have to, in order to have a fire, you need to satisfy certain guidelines. You're allowed to have a campfire but you can only use it for cooking and personal comfort and it's got to be in a hole thirty centimetres deep and about four metres around the fire, there can't be any bush on top, and you've got to have water nearby".

And with everyone tucking in, soon the Island was living up to its reputation as a haven for local wildlife.

"On the mainland where they've got predators they'll spend most of their time in the trees, they'll only come down when they come across to get up another tree. Here because they haven't got those predators they haven't had them for thousands of years. They spend a lot of time on the ground".

Despite those hefty roo steaks, it seems we were all suffering from an iron deficiency as we headed off into the night in search of one of the kangaroos' local cousins.

"The ones we see on Kangaroo Island are called Tamar Wallabies. They're really special because they're actually extinct on mainland Australia. They used to live all over southern Australia, but with the reintroduction of foxes and rabbits, they've basically become extinct so they're only living on Kangaroo Island and on a couple of islands off the coast of Western Australia. Kangaroo Island is a really special place, it's almost a sanctuary for local animals".

The following day the Camp Wild Tour takes in another KI secret, the Little Sahara Desert with its shifting white sand dunes rising high above a surrounding sea of mallee scrub. Here Camp Wild's emphasis is on pure fun, where some adventurers chose to wipe out in tandem. As you can see, Eric is the sort of bloke who'll never give up. While for Edith, Israel may not be a surfer's paradise, but that certainly hasn't stopped her from mastering the Little Desert.

"Cheers"

"OK, I'm having the no stack ride, hopefully"

"Cheers"

If you love an outdoor adventure and mixing with travellers from around the world, then why not tag along on a Camp Wild Tour of Kangaroo Island. For details contact their Freecall number on 1800-444-321 or email info@postcards.sa.com.au