Editing Kangaroo Island (section)

==Transport==
===Sea transport===
[[File:PRG280 1 3 295 The SS "Karatta" leaving Hog Bay, Kangaroo Island.jpg|thumb|{{SS|Karatta||2}} leaving Hog Bay]]
[[File:Sealion 2000 arriving at penneshaw.JPG|thumb|right|''Sealion 2000'' arriving at [[Penneshaw, South Australia|Penneshaw]]]]
Kangaroo Island is reliant on ferry services for the majority of its transport to and from the mainland. Ferry services are currently provided by two companies, [[Kangaroo Island SeaLink]] which uses two ferries, the ''[[Sealion 2000]]'' and the ''[[Spirit of Kangaroo Island]]'', to provide freight and passenger services, and Kangaroo Island Connect, which commenced services in June 2018 and provides passenger services only.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-01/kangaroo-island-second-ferry-service-starts/9823660 |title=Second Kangaroo Island ferry service starts after months of delays |publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |date=1 June 2018 |access-date=15 November 2018 |archive-date=2 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002095116/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-01/kangaroo-island-second-ferry-service-starts/9823660 |url-status=live }}</ref>

From 1907 to 1961, {{SS|Karatta||2}} was the prime freight and passenger vessel operating between Port Adelaide and Kingscote.<ref>{{cite web |title=SA Memory, S.S. Karatta |url=http://www.samemory.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?c=8699 |publisher=State Library of South Australia |access-date=25 October 2014 |archive-date=25 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025052109/http://www.samemory.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?c=8699 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following withdrawal from service of ''Karatta'', [[RW Miller]] operated the [[MV Troubridge|MV ''Troubridge'']], in later years as a joint venture with the South Australian Government. ''Troubridge'' was a roll on, roll off vessel of 1,996 tons, which used specially designed loading gantries at [[Port Adelaide]], [[Port Lincoln]] and Kingscote.{{citation needed|date=June 2014}}

''Troubridge'' operated until 1 June 1987, when it was replaced by the Government run [[Australian dollar|A$]]23 million ''[[Island Seaway]]''.<ref>{{cite thesis |last=Smith |first=Andrea |title=The maritime cultural landscape of Kangaroo Island, South Australia: A study of Kingscote and West Bay |publisher=Flinders University, SA |date=June 2006 |citeseerx=10.1.1.457.7228 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.samemory.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=613&c=3553 |author=State Library of South Australia |title=Loading sheep at Kingscote Jetty |access-date=15 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070906063120/http://www.samemory.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=613&c=3553 |archive-date=6 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.amol.org.au/newcastle/greta/rwmco.html |title=Summary of R.W.Miller & Co. |author=Newcastle Regional Museum |access-date=15 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012031159/http://archive.amol.org.au/newcastle/greta/rwmco.html |archive-date=12 October 2007 }}</ref> Built locally in Port Adelaide by [[Eglo Engineering]], ''Island Seaway'' used the same loading platforms as ''Troubridge''. ''Island Seaway'' was severely criticised as being unsuitable for the Backstairs Passage crossing. Seventy-five sheep and cattle died on the inaugural trip due to carbon monoxide poisoning, and the ship was once described as 'steering like a shopping trolley'.<ref>Adelaide Advertiser, State Opposition statement attributed to Ted Chapman MP,26 August 1987</ref> The vessel subsequently underwent a A$1 million refit of its propulsion system in September 1989 which improved its reliability.

''Island Seaway'' began to experience competition from [[Kangaroo Island SeaLink]] which began services from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw in 1989.<ref>[http://www.sealink.com.au/company_info.html Our Company History] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321135145/http://sealink.com.au/company_info.html|date=21 March 2009}} – Sealink Web Site</ref> SeaLink acquired the ferry service originally introduced by Peter March. His "Philanderer Ferries" pioneered the crossing from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw, with ''Philanderer 3'' being a passenger and vehicle carrying catamaran style vessel. In the 1980s, two passenger only services, ''Hydroflite H33'', and ''Islander'', operated for a short time from Glenelg to Kingscote.

SeaLink has outlasted several competing companies since it began operations. Boat Torque, a Western Australian company, operated ''Superflyte'' from 1994 until 1997, sailing from Glenelg to Kingscote. Kangaroo Island Ferries had a short-lived venture with ''SeaWay'', which travelled from Wirrina Cove to Kingscote from September 2004 until February 2005. ''SeaWay'' could not handle rough weather as well as SeaLink vessels which impacted the service's reliability. Under different proprietorship, ''SeaWay'' recommenced services in August 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=KI Ferries expected to be operating by week's end |date=30 July 2007 |publisher=ABC News |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/30/1991481.htm |access-date=11 August 2007 |archive-date=2 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202024432/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/30/1991481.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, in May 2008, the operator of ''SeaWay'' announced suspension of services until October 2008, citing increased fuel prices.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Adelaide Advertiser |date=22 May 2008 |access-date=22 May 2008 |title=Fuel price leaves KI ferry high and dry |url=http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23740398-5006301,00.html |first=Stuart |last=Innes |archive-date=2 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202102151/http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23740398-5006301,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2008 the ''SeaWay's'' operating company was placed in administration and the vessel advertised for sale.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ferry for sale |url=http://www.theislanderonline.com.au/news/local/news/general/ferry-for-sale/793244.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100101153351/http://www.theislanderonline.com.au/news/local/news/general/ferry-for-sale/793244.aspx |archive-date=1 January 2010 |work=The Islander News |access-date=20 June 2008 |date=19 June 2008 }}</ref>

With the introduction by SeaLink of the ''Island Navigator'', the fate of ''Island Seaway'' was sealed, with the service subsequently withdrawn and SeaLink drawing on Government subsidies to operate all freight services to and from the Island. SeaLink now holds a virtual monopoly on sea transport to Kangaroo Island, primarily due to its long term lease of the Cape Jervis berth. Sealink's agreement with the SA Government, expiring in 2024, precludes other operators from using the Cape Jervis facility for one hour before, and one hour after any scheduled SeaLink service. Kangaroo Island residents have expressed displeasure with the exclusive arrangement granted to SeaLink.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kangaroo Island residents unhappy about ferry agreement |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200208/s641804.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926221902/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200208/s641804.htm |archive-date=26 September 2009 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=15 June 2007 |date=7 August 2002 }}</ref>

===Air transport===
Guinea Airways operated the first commercial service to Kangaroo Island, commencing in the 1930s. In 1959, the airline was acquired by [[Airlines of South Australia]] (ASA), a subsidiary of [[Ansett Australia|Ansett]]. The airline's final service was on 4 April 1986. ASA primarily operated [[Convair]]s, [[Douglas DC-3]] and [[Fokker F-27]] aircraft. A [[Piaggio P.166]] was used infrequently in the 1970s, whilst [[Rossair (Australia)|Rossair]] operated [[Cessna 402]]s in an arrangement with ASA to replace the F27s in off-peak times.

Following the withdrawal of ASA, [[Kendell Airlines]] (another Ansett subsidiary), operated 19-seat [[Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner|Fairchild Metroliners]] and 34-seat [[Saab AB|SAAB]] aircraft to the Island. Upon Ansett's ultimate demise in 2002, [[Regional Express Airlines|Regional Express]] (Rex) acquired the Kendell aircraft and continued services to [[Kingscote Airport]] until early 2020, when it ceased operation citing competition from Qantas<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/kangaroo-island-rex-to-end-flights-after-30-years/0dc6a345-4067-4e06-88f7-f96e763c297f |website=9 News |publisher=Nine |access-date=16 January 2024 |title='Kick in the guts' as Rex ends 30 years of flights to Kangaroo Island |date=3 February 2020 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116030740/https://www.9news.com.au/national/kangaroo-island-rex-to-end-flights-after-30-years/0dc6a345-4067-4e06-88f7-f96e763c297f |url-status=live }}</ref>

In competition with the larger aircraft, and generally with more flexible timetables, a succession of smaller airlines from the 1970s tried with varying success to maintain a 'second string' presence. Island Air and Pagas operated briefly in the 1970s, whilst the most successful, [[Emu Airways]], commenced in 1980 and made its final flight in November 2005.{{Citation needed|date=September 2012}} Emu flew [[Piper PA-31 Navajo|Piper Chieftain]] aircraft to Kingscote, American River, Penneshaw and Parndana, before air regulations dictated abandonment of all airstrips except Kingscote. Air Kangaroo Island (formerly Air Transit), flew [[Cessna 402]]s to the Island in the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AirHistory.net - Air Kangaroo Island aircraft photos |url=https://www.airhistory.net/basic-operator/8752/Air-Kangaroo-Island |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=www.airhistory.net }}</ref>

From 1986 to 1990, Lloyd Aviation operated [[Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante]] aircraft, before flying the [[Short 330]]. For several years in the 1980s, Commodore Airlines (eventually becoming State Air) offered another alternative service. [[QantasLink]] briefly operated a service after the demise of Emu Airways, commencing 18 December 2005, but withdrew less than six months later. [[QantasLink]] also operated direct flights from Kangaroo Island to Melbourne, the first time the route was operated.<ref>{{cite news |title=Other News – 10/31/2005 |url=http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/news/other-news-10312005-0309 |newspaper=[[Air Transport World]] |date=1 November 2005 |access-date=20 August 2011 |quote=Qantas is expanding its QantasLink regional network into South Australia effective Dec.&nbsp;18. It will operate 58 flights per week between Adelaide and Port Lincoln, daily service between Adelaide and Kangaroo Island and four weekly services between Melbourne and Kangaroo Island, all aboard [[Bombardier Dash 8|Dash 8]]s. |archive-date=6 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606152847/http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/news/other-news-10312005-0309 |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2007, Air South<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airsouth.com.au |title=Air South |access-date=9 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304030448/http://airsouth.com.au/ |archive-date=4 March 2009 }}</ref> commenced four services daily using Titan nine seat aircraft, but ceased flights in October 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theislanderonline.com.au/news/local/news/general/air-south-calls-it-quits-on-ki-route/1620358.aspx |title=Air South calls it quits |date=10 September 2009 |work=The Islander |access-date=17 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914194412/http://www.theislanderonline.com.au/news/local/news/general/air-south-calls-it-quits-on-ki-route/1620358.aspx |archive-date=14 September 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In June 2017, Qantas announced direct Qantaslink flights to Kangaroo Island from Adelaide and Melbourne from December 2017, offering five flights a week from Adelaide over the peak summer months, reducing to three flights a week after Easter, and two flights a week from Melbourne over the peak tourist season in December and January. An $18 million upgrade of the Kingscote Airport was completed in May 2018.<ref>[https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/5420090/first-flights-processed-at-kangaroo-island-airports-new-terminal/?cs=1525 First flights processed at Kangaroo Island Airport’s new terminal] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522042045/https://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/5420090/first-flights-processed-at-kangaroo-island-airports-new-terminal/?cs=1525 |date=22 May 2018 }} ''The Islander'', 21 May 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2018.</ref>

=== Rail transport ===
[[File:Railway on Kangaroo Island.jpeg|thumb|Salt railway on Kangaroo Island]]
Around 1938, the Salt Company on Kangaroo Island used a rail tractor built by W. Day & Sons of [[South Melbourne]] to transport salt on a short narrow gauge railway between its factory and the port in [[Muston, South Australia|Muston]]. Salt was obtained from Muston Lake, White Lagoon, Salt Lagoon and smaller lagoons near [[Kingscote, South Australia|Kingscote]]. It was sold to domestic and industrial users, e.g. for fish and meat preservation and tanning. The salt exports from Kangaroo Island to Adelaide rose from 13 tons in 1843 to 20,000 tons in 1913.<ref>[https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+10351 Railway, Kangaroo Island (B 10351)] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408073316/https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+10351 |date=8 April 2018 }}, State Library of South Australia.</ref> Plans for further railway lines did not pass the planning stage.<ref>[http://bernie-ki.tripod.com/KIRailway.html Kangaroo Island Railway.] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408010135/http://bernie-ki.tripod.com/KIRailway.html|date=8 April 2018}} Chronicle (Adelaide), 19 October 1907.</ref><ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/58142616 Kangaroo Island Railway. Condemnatory Evidence, Experts on Soil.] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408011735/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/58142616 |date=8 April 2018 }} The Register (Adelaide, SA, 1901 – 1929), 18 May 1910, Page 10.</ref><ref>[http://bernie-ki.tripod.com/KIRailway.html Kangaroo Island Railway. Proposal Rejected.] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408010135/http://bernie-ki.tripod.com/KIRailway.html |date=8 April 2018 }} Chronicle (Adelaide) 25 February 1911.</ref>