Travelling to WA soon, thought about the ferry, might save a bit of time.
South Australia, Wallaroo to Cowell ferry approx a 1 hour trip, for the Kea and 2 adults about $270, then have to drive another 100k to link up with the Eyre highway at Kimba.
It's only 400k around there by road, less than a tank of diesel, wer'e driving.
We done exactly the same thing , thought about the price and gave it a miss. I wonder who uses this ferry at the prices they chage ??? I think it is privatly owned am i right.in saying that....And to think the beaut ferry crossings over the Murray River is free.( well so far )
We have just used the Walleroo Lucky Bay ferry. Booking online you can save 30% traveling Tuesdays-Thursdays.
However we did not take our motorhome, although we did take our pushies for a great 3 week tour of the Eyre peninsula.
There's quite a difference between $60 for 2 people and $270 for 2 persons and a motor home, at the end of your expensive boat ride (if your travelling to Ceduna or WA) your still 100km short of the highway you need to be on.
The crossing to KI is a similar deal, people avoid it like the plague, because of cost.
The Navigator and I thought that the ferry ride from Wallaroo would be an experience. Did the numbers in Dollar terms and decided to drive around. It was hundreds of dollars cheaper and only took two hours longer.
Just worked out the distances and time involved if travelling to WA or Far West Coast of SA.
Moonta to Wallaroo to link up with ferry approx 20 mins.
Wallaroo to Lucky Bay just over 2.25 hours by ferry, 2 people = approx $270.
Lucky Bay to Kimba to link up with Eyre highway, 104km 1 hour and approx 13 litres of diesel @ approx $1.70 litre = another $22
The ferry costs including fuel from Lucky Bay to Kimba, approx $290 and would take us 3.5 hours from home all going well.
By road Moonta to Kimba 370km a little over 4 hours, approx 50L diesel = $85.
Time saved via ferry approx 30 mins at an additional cost of $205.
If money is no problem and your looking for a short boat trip go for it, otherwise.
From the Sea SA website,
" There is a popular myth that taking the ferry is more expensive than driving around the Spencer Gulf. Most people only consider the fuel outlay associated with driving around and not the FULL cost. an analysis conducted for Sea SA by accounting firm and transport industry experts, Davidsons DE & M, revealed that fuel costs only account for 28% of the total outlay. Taking into account the full costs of driving around, such as wear and tear on the vehicle, insurance, depreciation on the vehicle value (not to mention the personal toll of accident risk and stress due to speeding fines, pot holes and driver fatigue), the picture is very different."
To this I say, it ain't no myth, in the words of Colonel Potter, horse hockey.
We have just used the Walleroo Lucky Bay ferry. Booking online you can save 30% traveling Tuesdays-Thursdays.
However we did not take our motorhome, although we did take our pushies for a great 3 week tour of the Eyre peninsula.
There's quite a difference between $60 for 2 people and $270 for 2 persons and a motor home, at the end of your expensive boat ride (if your travelling to Ceduna or WA) your still 100km short of the highway you need to be on.
The crossing to KI is a similar deal, people avoid it like the plague, because of cost.
The KI ferry is the most expensive per Km in the world for RV's. Good for tourism!
Kangaroo Island folks have been trying to convince the Federal Govt for years to make the sea trip across Investigaor Strait to KI part of the National Highway Scheme. If they would/could it would result in cheaper ferry costs just as the Tasmania trip is. Just imagine being a resident of Kangaroo Island and having to pay the high costs for everything you buy. If you're a farmer there is the cost of getting your produce to market too.
I guess the other way to look at it is that we can't expect the operator to run at a loss. Like others have said we have a choice; use it and pay, or give it a miss. I think I'd give it a miss. Of course Eyre Peninsula is worth a look rather than just a drive through.
Di
Getting to and from Tasmania is not all that cheap either. When we go back there we are going to fly and rent a samll motor home. Far cheaper in the long run for us as our van is over 30ft from hitch to back bumper.
-- Edited by herbie on Thursday 25th of April 2013 06:17:47 PM
Kangaroo Island folks have been trying to convince the Federal Govt for years to make the sea trip across Investigaor Strait to KI part of the National Highway Scheme. If they would/could it would result in cheaper ferry costs just as the Tasmania trip is. Just imagine being a resident of Kangaroo Island and having to pay the high costs for everything you buy. If you're a farmer there is the cost of getting your produce to market too.
I guess the other way to look at it is that we can't expect the operator to run at a loss. Like others have said we have a choice; use it and pay, or give it a miss. I think I'd give it a miss. Of course Eyre Peninsula is worth a look rather than just a drive through.
Imagine the price if these sea roads weren't getting a govt subsidy from the various main roads department in the various states The Tassie one is the one that's gets up my nose and they need the tourist as that's going for it at the moment on the job front
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