Kangaroo Island South Australia: A Comprehensive Guide

Hop on and ride with us to familiarize a mesmerizing creation of nature, The Kangaroo Island South Australia also known as “The Island of The Dead” by a few tribal natives. The Island area covers 4,405 km² making it Australia’s third largest island with 509 km of coastline. What makes this place a travelers paradise, is the unparalleled wildlife beauty, magnificent nature destinations and the unique incredible wilderness. On top of that exists a world famous food and wine industry that serves as a tourism magnet.

And yes you got it right, There is more than a days worth of experience bundled here. If it is wildlife that you want the range is diversified and interesting. Kangaroos of course, Koala Bears, Echidnas, Wallabies and much more. If its the landscape comfort you prefer then the coastal belt and the parks await you. Enough talk! Lets proceed with the tour already!

Kangaroo Island South Australia Facts

Here are some trivia about Kangaroo Island South Australia that you might find intriguing additionally to the ones mentioned above.

• The distance from the South Australian capital Adelaide to Kangaroo Island is about 110km
• It is the third biggest Island in Australia and seven times the size of Singapore
• The kangaroos here vary slightly from the mainland ones because of the longer and darker fur
• There have been 80+ shipwrecks in the past 173 years and The Remarkable Rocks are named after a shipwreck survivor in 1899
• Mount McDonnell is the highest elevation standing at 981 feet above sea level
• It was a French explorer who first published a map of Kangaroo Island in 1811 and named it  I’Île Decrès
• There are four towns here namely Kingscote which is the biggest and has the only airport, Penneshaw for the ferries, Parndana for the farmers and the American River which is actually a bay

Alright lets proceed with the Kangaroo Island tour and get to know the best tourist attraction sites here.

Things To Do In Kangaroo Island South Australia

As we mentioned before the KI is a rich abundance of wildlife and wilderness. We will start with the national parks as there are so many that actually cover one-third of the island. You have to pay entrance and camping fees for some parks. A valid entry pass is a must for all visitors and don’t hesitate to display once inquired.

Start With Flinders Chase National Park: Kangaroo Islands most popular

It is one of the top 10 attraction sites in the Kangaroo Island. And for many reasons. There are the essential Remarkable Rocks which are wind-blasted boulders shaped into unusual shapes and perched upon a smooth surfaced rock. These rocks are best observed at sunrise and sunset. Then you have the remains of an ancient cave in the shape of a curve named as the  Admirals Arch. This arch is formed by erosion from the sea for over thousands of years. After which you will encounter dozens of seals at the Cape du Coeudic Lighthouse beach. You will also most likely find Kangaroos and other birds in the park borders. If you plan on camping, you can choose between the Cape du Coeudic Cottages or Cape Borda Lighthouse cottages.

Also you cannot leave the amazing walking and hiking trails unexplored. Follow these trails to experience a bit of the wonderful wildlife here at KI. The KI wilderness trail surround the trails through Flinders Chase National Park, Kelly Hill Conservation Park which is another magnificent flora and fauna spot and the Cape Bouguer Wilderness Protection Area. We will talk about these spots next. You can purchase tickets at the gate or book here.

Explore Kelly Hill Conservation Park

A haven for adventure lovers located in the southwest of the Kangaroo Island. The Kelly Hill Conservation Park consists of caves and tunnel mazes underground. You can either choose to explore them equipped with helmets and lamps like cavemen on your own or join one of the tours. The Stalactites and stalagmites sure made a spot that you don’t want to miss out. However the cave is most likely to be closed if the weather conditions are extreme for tourist safety purposes.

Enjoy The Seal Bay Conservation Park

The wildlife amongst the wilderness. If you want to observe groups of sea lions in their natural habitat then the Seal Bay Conservation Park is the only place in the planet to do that. There is a self guiding boardwalk area of about 900m for you to obtain a more closer interactive look with the sea lions. They also have a souvenir shop, an information center if you are interested in learning about seals and restrooms. You can also opt for guided tours, so that you can learn all about sea lions by an expert. It is a possible to encounter an opportunity for wildlife photographers to capture stunning images of little baby sea lions if they are fortunate enough.

Observe The View From Cape Willoughby Conservation Park

Constructed out of granite and limestone in 1852, the first lighthouse of South Australia is situated in Cape Willoughby Conservation Park. It is accessible via unsealed roads and open throughout the year. You can lodge in the adjacent lighthouse keeper cottages, enjoy the stunning panoramic view on top of the lighthouse. You can also choose to join the daily tours to learn more about the lighthouse. Also while in here you can still observe the kangaroos and other wildlife.

These are few of the national parks in Kangaroo Island and the most visited. If you have the time you should definitely check out the rest of them. Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park for some coastal beach experience with the marine life in D’Estrees Bay and witness Kangaroo Islands largest lagoon, the Murray Lagoon. Lashmar Conservation Park for more marine life experience, bird watching and relaxed camping.

See The Penguins Penneshaw Beach

About 600m in length Penneshaw Beach or the Hog bay faces the Northeast. There is a monument dedicated to the French explorers at the eastern end. You can enjoy a picnic at the Hog Bay Beach and take a stride towards the Hog Bay Jetty. You can also find a Penguin Interpretive Centre that organizes night tours to the nearby colony of little Penguins. Every facility necessary for a tourist are found in the beach including toilets, Barbeque and a car park.

Cuddle Koalas Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park And Aquarium

Located in the centre of Kangaroo Island, South Australia the KI Wildlife Park and Aquarium is a must for every tourist and Animal Lovers. Hosting over 800 animals of 150 different species you can experience some of Australia’s unique wildlife here. You can cuddle Koalas, hand-feed Kangaroos and Wallabies, witness the Penguins antics and get an overall closer look at the numerous reptiles, birds, dingoes and aquariums.

You can grab some grub at the cafe, listen to their daily talks and get to know the animals more and overall have a delightful experience with the Animal kingdom. People with special needs are well catered here. These include people with hearing and speaking challenges, on a wheelchair etc. You can also pick souvenir at the gift shop as a token of memory.

Kingscote- Turn back in time

Here you find A Walk Back in Time Trail that starts and ends at the Aurora Ozone Hotel. The walk is mostly on a flat ground with a few hilly spots scattered which should not make you feel exhausted at the end. The time duration is about 45 minutes to complete. If you are interested in sunrise or sunset photography, the Kingscote Jetty awaits you at the Nepean Bay which is also available for fishing. If you are lucky, you might be able to see dolphins swimming about.

Spare a couple of minutes for the Kingscote Memorial Park, where you can get a good view of the beach as you enjoy your lunch and let your kids play around. The Kingscote Skate Park is also located nearby. And if you have the time take a dip at the Kingscote Tidal Pool where the sea water flows in and out. Cold shower facility is provided and the regular swimming pool guidelines apply. Irrespective of your age, everyone can enjoy a relaxed safe swim here under supervision. The pool is rock bound and has a shallow and deep end.

Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated between Flinders Chase National Park and Kelly Hill Conservation Park, the Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary covers 5000 acre of land. The best part is the self contained cabins which are both cozy and offer splendid viewpoints of the Hanson Bay. Tours are offered at night and day and these will allow you to observe native marsupials and the Koala Walk gives you the opportunity to observe many other wild Animals such as honeyeaters, cockatoos, Kangaroos, Koalas and echidnas.

The Sanctuary is also recognized as a bird watchers paradise given the different species residing here. These include Blue Wrens, Lorikeets, Crimson Rosellas, Black Cockatoos, Bush Stone-Curlews and many more. The Koala Walk is the best place on Kangaroo Island to observe a vast amount Koalas up close.

Independence Trail and American River

The Independence Trail is a walking trail starting at the boatramp in American River and trails along the coastline of Pelicans Lagoon. Total distance is 3.6km up to Independence Point. The place is called the Independent Point to acknowledge the schooner Independence. The schooner was manufactured in 1803 by the crew of the visiting American sealing ship the Union and it is the first ever ship built in South Australia.

The American River too gets the name from the American sailors who helped build the ship. The fishing village and the holiday resort are found closer to the isthmus that leads to the Dudley Peninsula. The Pelican Lagoon which is the inner bay is a natural spot for bird watching. You can purchase oysters here too as the American River is the centre for the Kangaroo Island’s oyster industry.

Island Beehive

Focused in protecting the Ligurian Bee heritage, the Island Beehive is situated in the outskirts of Kingscote. You can get a closer look at the factory work by opting for a guided tour inside the factory. You have the chance to learn all about these bees, how the honey is produced and extracted etc. If you are a group and you require a group tour, a phone booking is necessary. The place is well maintained and even has facilities for people with special needs.

Kangaroo Island Tours

Our recommendation is to opt for one of these tours and to self explore as well. You can either choose multi-day tours or day tours. SeaLink is a good choice for anyone looking for a good sightseeing tour of Kangaroo Island. It can be to relax your mind and just soak yourself in natures wonders, an educational experience on wildlife or an adventure explorer type guide. There are several options for you. Kangaroo Island Experience, Kangaroo Island Wildlife Discovery, Flinders Chase Day Tour and much more choices for day tours. From tours that cover the most famous sights to tours that cover individual locations in depth, the prices start at $191 per adult.

The Kangaroo Island Multi Day Tours are obviously expensive but definitely worth the price. For example the 2 Day Ultimate Kangaroo Island Tour is the most popular because it allows you to experience the wildlife and the landscape beauty at a slow pace so that you can make the most out of the time. The most expensive are the Kangaroo Island Escorted Tours. There are tours for 4 days and 3 nights as well as 6 days and 5 nights. Covers every tiny detail you need to know about KI as it will be hosted by Shirley Tamm.

Kangaroo Island Food and Drinks

We mentioned that KI itself was declared as a bee sanctuary, therefore don’t forget to taste some of the  Ligurian Bee honey. Pay a visit to the oyster farm shop for the KI seafood experience. You can also find a variety of home made sauces. Check out the Sheoak Smoked Oysters and the smoked oyster dip. Also make sure to visit the Kangaroo Island Fresh Seafood. Shellfish, Oysters and Prawns are and much more awaits you. Taste the Kangaroo Island lamb in the KI cafes and restaurants as well.

Ki is also a wine paradise and they offer a variety of spirits and wines. For starters you can head over to Kangaroo Island Spirits and try out their gins and spirits. Next you can taste the famous Honey Wheat Ale at Drunken Drone Brewery which is made from the Ligurian Bee honey. The wine sightseeing begins at the Bay of Shoals Winery close to Kingscote where you are privileged to enjoy some of the best wine out of these vineyards. These are some of the most famous and iconic breweries in KI but there’s also many more sites for wine and ale lovers.

We hope that this comprehensive guide of Kangaroo Island South Australia is both informative and educational. You can find plenty of choices for accommodation in Kangaroo Island that suits your budget, your requirements and your travel period. It can be hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, lighthouse cottages or suites the authorities got you covered.