Decided that this is the year to finally cross the sea to explore the rugged coastline of Kangaroo Island? We’re 100% on board! This South Aussie adventure is one not to be missed.
Image Credit: Stokes Bay, Kangaroo Island - Tourism Australia
We’ve rounded up 30 of the best attractions, tours, and unforgettable experiences to add to your itinerary when you visit Kangaroo Island (or KI, as it's more commonly known)—including how to get there, once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters, outdoor activities, stunning photo opportunities, and – most importantly – G’day Parks to stay at.
Let's get going!
ARRIVING IN KANGAROO ISLAND
Catch the SeaLink Ferry
Image Credit: SeaLink Ferry - @a.simple.meandering
There are two ways to reach the island from the mainland, but if you're travelling by car or caravan, you'll need to take the ferry. SeaLink runs multiple ferry services across the Backstairs Passage from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw every day, and it's a pretty speccy scenic journey. (FYI, if you wish to travel by air, Qantas offers flights from Adelaide Airport to Kangaroo Island Airport.)
FLINDERS CHASE NATIONAL PARK
Remarkable Rocks
Image: Remarkable Rocks, Flinders Chase Natinoal Park
There’s lots of fun to be had while exploring the island’s famous Remarkable Rocks. Shaped over millions of years by wind, sea spray, and rain, getting a photograph in front of these granite boulders with the gorgeous blue sea in the background is a must.
Admirals Arch
Image Credit: Admirals Arch - South Australian Tourism Commission
It’s hard to know what’s more fascinating about Admirals Arch—the intricate sea-carved rock bridge or the long-nosed fur seals who call it home. As you make your way down the boardwalk to the viewing platform, admire the scenery and keep your eyes peeled for a fur seal pup sighting!
Cape du Couedic Lighthouse
Image Credit: Cape du Couedic Lighthouse - South Australian Tourism Commission
The red-topped Cape du Couedic Lighthouse could just be the most famous lighthouse on the island (built from 2,000 pieces of local stone in the early 1900s), and you get to drive down the iconic Cape du Couedic Road to reach it. Once there, it’s a wonderful opportunity to complete the Cape du Couedic Hike.
Cape Borda Lightstation
Located at the top end of Flinders Chase National Park, Cape Borda Lightstation once stood guard over the Investigator Strait. Now, it’s a historic relic with nearby walking trails, including a cliff top walk.
GET OUTDOORS
Beaches
Image: Vivonne Bay
If you want beautiful beaches, you’ve come to the right place. Tourism Australia even crowned Stokes Bay as the Best Australian Beach in 2023, while on the south coast, Vivonne Bay is frequently ranked amongst the world’s best beaches. (P.S. Trust us, no visit to Vivonne Bay is complete without stopping at the local general store to try their famous KI Whiting Burger.)
Other popular beaches include Emu Bay Beach, Snellings Beach, and Island Beach, but there are so many more secluded beaches to be uncovered.
Little Sahara Adventure Centre
Image Credit: Little Sahara Adventure Centre - Megan Crabb
Surf the sand dunes at Little Sahara! Little Sahara Adventure Centre runs a range of buggy and bike tours, or you can simply hire a sandboard or toboggan to race down the slopes at your own speed.
Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action
Image Credit: Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action - Tourism Australia
For a dash of thrills, Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action run a range of guided quad biking tours and all-terrain adventures. They also have guided kayak tours and kayak hire if you want to explore the Harriet River at a more leisurely pace.
Fishing Spots
Image Credit: Chapman River - Kangaroo Island Tourism Alliance
Kangaroo Island is an awesome pick for your next fishing trip. Anglers could reel in King George whiting, southern calamari, salmon, mullet, herring, garfish, flathead, silver trevally, or snook. As for where to try your luck, you can fish at many of the island's beaches, off the jetties in Penneshaw and Kingscote, or along the Chapman River and American River.
Prospect Hill
Image Credit: Prospect Hill, Kangaroo Island, SA - Tourism Australia
Climb to the highest point of the island at Prospect Hill. From the car park, the 500 steps lead to panoramic views over Pelican Lagoon and Pennington Bay.
Kelly Hill Caves Conservation Park
Alternatively, head underground to Kelly Hill Caves Conservation Park. Book a guided tour for a dynamic audio-visual experience, where you’ll learn about the history of the caves while you admire the intricacies of these natural wonders.
Cape Willoughby Conservation Park
Image Credit: Cape Willoughby Lighthouse - South Australian Tourism Commission
On the eastern end of the island, Cape Willoughby Conservation Park is home to South Australia’s very first lighthouse, which you can climb as part of a tour. Bushwalkers can also embark on the Cape Willoughby Lightstation Heritage Hike, a return trip that leaves from the visitor centre.
D’Estrees Bay Self-Guided Nature Drive
Image Credit: Cape Gantheaume - South Australian Tourism Commission
Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park and Wilderness Protection Area has a variety of bushwalking trails and fishing spots, as well as the D’Estrees Bay self-guided nature drive. This journey is approximately eight kilometres long, following a narrow and winding dirt road, and it's a great way to understand the area’s natural and cultural history. (Tip: if you're a birdwatcher, D’estrees Bay is one of the best places to check out.)
Baudin Conservation Park
Image Credit: Baudin Beach - Tash Mohring
In Penneshaw, go walking and wildlife watching in Baudin Conservation Park. This former farm has lovely views of Penneshaw and Cape Jervis, and you can sometimes see whales off the coast (most likely in May to October). A highlight is the Ironstone Hill Hike, which is a 90-minute return trail that will lead you to the park's most scenic spots.
Platypus Waterholes Walk
This is the perfect choice for travellers who want to mix wildlife watching with a bushwalking trail that's achievable for all ages. This Grade 1 trail takes about two hours to complete.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
Kangaroo Island Wine Region
Image Credit: Bay of Shoals Wines - Meaghan Coles
The Kangaroo Island wine region is small but mighty, with brilliant cellar doors spread all over the island. Along with tasty wines and platters, many of these wineries boast spectacular ocean views, like Bay of Shoals Wines and Dudley Wines.
Taste the Sweetness of Local Honey
Image Credit: Clifford's Honey Farm - Meaghan Coles
Some of SA’s best honey comes from Kangaroo Island, and key experiences can be found on the island, from honey tastings to beekeeping experiences. Book a tour to go behind the scenes of Kangaroo Island Living Honey, The Kangaroo Island Ligurian Bee Co., or Clifford’s Honey Farm (which includes the chance to enjoy their famous honey ice cream). No matter what, make sure you stock up on honey products while you're there!
Markets
Given the island’s artistic flavour and abundance of gourmet producers, it’s no surprise that the local markets here are ace. On the first Sunday of every month, browse the range of art, gifts, and produce at the Penneshaw Market. Also, the Kingscote Farmers and Artisans Market is held on two Sundays per month with food vans, cake stalls, fresh fruit and veggies, art, photography, and much more. Both markets run from October through April.
Kangaroo Island Spirits
Image Credit: Kangaroo Island Spirits
Want to sample the best spirits KI has to share? Kangaroo Island Spirits has you covered for gin, vodka, and liqueurs at their cellar door, with various bookable experiences like gin tastings and cocktail classes available.
The Fig Tree
Image Credit: The Fig Tree KI - South Australian Tourism Commission
For an extra-special, Mediterranean-inspired dining experience, savour a feast beneath an ancient fig tree. The Fig Tree is open from November to April, incorporating produce from Kangaroo Island and other South Australian regions into each meal. Sittings are limited, so get in quick for your desired date.
Kangaroo Island Brewery
Image Credit: Kangaroo Island Brewery - Josie Withers
In the mood for a brew? Located in Kingscote, Kangaroo Island Brewery is the place to find a range of delicious beers and (in their words) "damn good food" to go with it. Pair your hand-built beer with a burger and thick-cut fries, then tuck in!
DIVERSE WILDLIFE EXPERIENCES
Seal Bay Conservation Park
Image: Seal Bay Conservation Park
As the name suggests, Seal Bay Conservation Park is your go-to spot to appreciate Kangaroo Island’s Australian sea lion colony. You can take a self-guided tour along the boardwalk or, for the full story, book a Seal Bay Experience (which includes the boardwalk) to get to know these incredible endangered animals.
Penneshaw Penguin Tour
Image Credit: Penneshaw - South Australian Tourism Commission/Milton Wordley
There’s no such thing as too many wildlife experiences on Kangaroo Island, and the Penneshaw Penguin Centre’s tour is no exception. This hourlong evening walk by wildlife-friendly torchlight is packed with expert insight as you look out for little penguins.
Raptor Domain
Image Credit: Raptor Domain - Alana Jayne Elgazzar
Kangaroo Island's incredible birdlife is on full display at Raptor Domain. Catch the free-flight birds of prey show or arrange a private experience to get up close to your favourite birds, like eagles and owls.
Swim with Wild Dolphins
Image Credit: Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures - Tourism Australia/South Australian Tourism Commission
This is your golden chance to meet the friendly bottlenose dolphins on the island’s north coast. Board a custom-built jet boat that’s made specifically for dolphin swims with Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures, where you’ll be able to see awesome views and wave to the dolphins before you dive in.
Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park
Image Credit: Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park - Alana Jayne Elgazzar
For an activity that families and animal lovers will both love, Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park in Parndana has a range of free, daily animal presentations for creatures like koalas, penguins, snakes, and dingoes. Buy a bag of animal feed to treat the kangaroos and wallabies hopping around the park, or level up with a paid experience, like koala holding, reptile holding, or an encounter with a serval or marmoset.
Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Image Credit: Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Kangaroo Island - Tourism Australia
Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary runs a range of tours to help you gain an appreciation for the island's incredible flora and fauna. A Sunset Nocturnal Adventure Tour is a popular option to hear about nocturnal animals as the sun goes down, or you can learn about the island’s bushfire resilience on a Guided Koala Walk & Bush Fire Ecology Tour.
UNIQUELY KANGAROO ISLAND
Emu Bay Lavender Farm
Image Credit: Emu Bay Lavender Farm - Meaghan Coles
Emu Bay Lavender Farm is one of the prettiest spots in KI—and that’s saying something. The fields begin to bud in spring and are in full bloom by the summer months. The farm also has a café where their lavender scones are the talk of the town. At their gift shop, you can purchase all sorts of delights, from lavender gin to health and beauty products.
Art Galleries and Sculpture Trail
Image Credit: Australian Red Gum Gallery - Kangaroo Island Tourism Alliance
Check out the art galleries in Kingscote, like Fine Art Kangaroo Island, Kangaroo Island Gallery, and BLOOM. by the Ocean. More galleries are dotted all over the island, like A.R. Tells a Story in American River, Australian Red Gum Gallery in Duncan, and Kangaroo Island Artworks Gallery in Baudin Beach. Plus, explore the Kangaroo Island Sculpture Trail in Penneshaw!
Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery
Image Credit: Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery - Kangaroo Island Tourism Alliance
Drop into Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery near Kingscote to pick up their beautiful products, from the namesake eucalyptus oil to various health and beauty products, sweets, and souvenirs. There’s a café and picnic space on site, as well as the cellar door for Kangaroo Island Ciders—win win!
WHERE TO STAY?
G’day Parks has two fantastic parks on Kangaroo Island, located on either side of the island. That means no matter where you want to go, we’ve got your KI adventure covered.
Discovery Parks - Kangaroo Island
Image: Discovery Parks - Kangaroo Island
With the big benefit of being just 10 minutes’ drive from Flinders Chase National Park, Discovery Parks - Kangaroo Island is your top pick on the west side. With a range of cabins, motel units, and camping sites beneath the gum trees, there’s a spot for every traveller. The park has a playground, licensed shop, well-equipped camp kitchen, and BBQ facilities, with seasonal campfires allowed outside of fire ban days. Nothing says KI quite like kangaroos hopping through your backyard, and on any given day, you could see kangas, koalas, wallabies, echidnas, and birdlife around the place.
Kangaroo Island Cabins
Image: Kangaroo Island Cabins
Keen to stay close to all the action on the east side of the island? You’re in luck. Kangaroo Island Cabins is located five minutes out of Kingscote (and less than an hour from the ferry terminal in Penneshaw). This peaceful park offers a selection of one- and two-bedroom cabins spread over a 20-acre property, as well as a four-bedroom holiday house that’s perfect for groups and family trips. Each cabin has its own kitchen and bathroom facilities, while all guests can access a free on-site laundry. Enjoy your morning brew or evening BBQ on the verandah as you wave hello to the park's wildlife visitors.
Get stuck into island life while enjoying the best Kangaroo Island attractions!
