Planning a Kangaroo Island getaway this October? You’ll have another way to get there, with Qantas adding extra flights while SeaLink temporarily suspends its ferry services.
The airline will operate additional services across three days in October, helping keep Kangaroo Island connected while works are carried out as part of the commissioning of SeaLink’s new ferry fleet.
SeaLink will temporarily suspend its regular ferry services on Tuesday, October 20th, Wednesday, October 21st and Thursday, October 22nd.
The temporary closure is required to allow infrastructure works to bring the new ferries into service, so travellers will need to consider alternative transport options during the three-day period.
To help meet demand, Qantas will operate an additional afternoon flight from Adelaide at 4:30pm on each of the three days.
Return services will depart Kingscote at 5:40pm, giving visitors and residents another option to travel to and from the island while ferry services are unavailable.
The extra flights will provide more than 400 additional seats across the three-day period, complementing Qantas’ existing services between Adelaide and Kangaroo Island.
Qantas’ regular daily morning service from Adelaide typically departs at 9:30am, while afternoon services already operate on Mondays and Fridays.
The additional flights follow discussions between Qantas and the State Government, with the extra capacity aimed at supporting Kangaroo Island residents, tourism operators and visitors during the temporary ferry disruption.
The State Government has also stressed that Kangaroo Island remains open for business throughout the temporary ferry closure, with tourism operators continuing to welcome visitors.
Minister for Tourism Emily Bourke said, “Kangaroo Island remains open for business, and these additional flights will help visitors keep the island firmly on their travel plans.
“This is a practical solution that supports local tourism operators and provides travellers with more options while ferry services are temporarily unavailable.
The temporary disruption comes as SeaLink prepares to commission its new ferries, with the infrastructure works requiring the regular service to pause for three days.
“We thank Qantas for stepping up to provide additional capacity at an important time for Kangaroo Island,” said Minister Bourke.
