Travelling in an "Action Pod" provides endless exploration possibilities.

It's a damn hard thing to decide how you want to get about on Kangaroo Island, but one thing is certain: consider mobility, cost and whether you're able to sleep on an unforgiving mattress.

The "Action Pod" is a retrofitted petrol Toyota Hi-Ace. You've got the basics including a small fridge, basin and pump tap, some storage areas for food and other paraphernalia and the aforementioned bed. It's a 6cm thick wafer of foam cut in two pieces in order to fold. We also opted for the additional table and folding chairs which are essential for food prep, cooking and eating at.

We left Casper, Cathy and our Adelaide Airbnb on Wednesday.

Sometimes you just meet lovely people without even trying, right?

The day we arrived in Adelaide, Hayley was introduced to Casper the Golden Retriever by her owner (and Airbnb host), Cathy. At the time, I was scrubbing up in the shower and was so disappointed not to have seen him. I begged Hayley to message Cathy and ask her to bring out Casper so I could say hello and goodbye all at once on our last day. Fortuitously, Cathy also offered to take us to the Britz car hire where we were to pick up our Action Pod. The drive across town with Cathy was great! She was super-open as she shared her Airbnb host and guest experiences as we shared ours. Both of our 'firsts' seemed to be rather unsavoury experiences (hers with a rude host and ours with a cramped space and a broken futon), yet we both persevered with the platform. We parted smiles and ways as she went to pick up her grandchildren and we went to pick up the van.

We thought we were prepared for an adventure, but Kangaroo Island had a few tricks up it's sleeve.

Getting on the Island will cost you a kidney (or other vital organ).

We have had a few experiences travelling on large ferries across to islands including BC Ferries from Vancouver to Victoria in Canada and the Bruny Island ferry to.. Bruny Island. I don't recall the cost we paid to get across to Victoria but the one to Bruny cost $66 return.

Now, this is a reasonable price. We just paid for the vehicle to get across and technically, we could have crammed in 5 people and still paid the same price.

However, the price to get to Kangaroo Island will stun you. It was $380 return. And if we had more than the two of us it would be even more. Now let me put this 45 minute ferry ride into perspective. The cost of the camper including comprehensive insurance with ZERO excess was $535 for an entire week.

Kangaroo Island demands you leave your phone on charge and ready for photographs.

Arriving in Penneshaw (the port town) in the mid-afternoon on Wednesday, we knew where we wanted to head - right to the Western coast to Flinders Chase National Park, arguably where the best bits of the Island are found.

As the sun drooped ever lower in the sky, my experience driving on rural Australian roads reinforced one thing; get off the gas and prepare to hit the anchors.

Kangaroos are arguably the most idiotic species of Australian wildlife, closely followed by the cute, but wildly suicidal grey and pink galah.

When I worked in Singleton, NSW, I pulled onto the private road leading into the mine site. Within thirty seconds of turning, I spotted a roo on the edge of the road. As he saw me approach, he jumped into the middle of the road. I slowed with him next to my side of the car and as I slowly drove past, he turned about face and jumped into the rear of the car, headbutting the bumper bar, which I witnessed in the side mirror.

I pulled over expecting to see a drowsy and dazed creature. However, by the time I'd pulled over, he must have cleared the fence and leapt away. He was nowhere to be found. I just hope he didn't die of a brain hemorrhage or concussion later on.

We did see a few kangaroos. What was most exciting was the wildlife experience that knocked my socks off.

The Daggered-Waddlers!

As the echidna is a largely nocturnal animal, dusk provided the best opportunity to spot one. I really didn't have seeing one on my radar as they are solitary, nocturnal and are an endangered species. Some animals you just shouldn't get your hopes up to see. As a result, you can imagine my elation as we spied something the size of an AFL footy crossing the road.

The reception continues to be sketchy so I'm going to get this one out at just after midday on Saturday.

So much more has happened, and I'll be sharing more soon, including the divisiveness of my frigging t-shirt. Oh God... lol.

All the best,

Nick.

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