Australia is a big country and, although I have been living here for many years, I am still discovering new places. I had heard great things about Kangaroo Island attractions so when organising our trip, I started my research. A Kangaroo Island trip will blow your mind: wildlife, beautiful nature, great food, historical landmarks… It was the perfect road trip destination for two keen photographers and a 10-year-old. Let me tell you about the best things to do on your Kangaroo Island holidays.
In early 2020, devastating bushfires tore through Kangaroo Island, causing destruction and death. Some of the places listed in this post have been destroyed but will hopefully recover. In time, Kangaroo Island will return to its beautiful self.
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The Best Things to do on Your Kangaroo Island Holidays
Aside from the mainland and Tasmania, Kangaroo Island is one of the biggest islands in Australia. If you look at a Kangaroo Island map, you will see that a very large part of its surface is taken by national parks and wilderness. Our Kangaroo Island trip started with a promise!
We had five days in Kangaroo Island, which was plenty and not enough at the same time. Still, we managed to see most of the Kangaroo Island highlights.
If all you have is one day, consider Kangaroo Island tours from Adelaide. This Kangaroo Island day tour will take you to the main attractions. Check out additional information and current tour prices.
For a great road trip destination, have a look at this New Zealand itinerary.
How to Get to Kangaroo Island from Adelaide
To travel to Kangaroo Island, you first need to get to Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia. Since Kangaroo Island doesn’t have public transport, most visitors get there by car, then ferry. The drive from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island, or Cape Jervis, where the ferry departs takes about an hour and forty minutes. The road was quite scenic albeit in average condition and we found the land all-around very dry.
There are flights to Kangaroo Island but the timing didn’t work for us and the local car rental was going to be more expensive. And the ferry sounded like fun!
Cape Jervis doesn’t have much to offer, apart from a lighthouse and the ferry terminal.
The Sealink Ferry
The first step is the Kangaroo Island ferry. Those trips always make me feel as though I’m going a faraway adventure…
Boarding the ferry is an interesting process… After parking the car in the line for boarding, we presented at the office, as required. Actually, passengers have to board the ferry on foot, whilst the driver remains in the vehicle. I thought that was a little odd, but as soon as vehicle boarding started, I understood why…
You have to drive your car in and position it to do a turn inside the hull, as there is only one door… The cars are packed very tightly! Obviously, the attendants are very skilled at directing vehicles, including trucks and buses, to park very closely together. Which is why it’s better that only one person exits the vehicle…
The ferry is comfortable, with viewing decks, a large sitting room inside and a bar.
Kangaroo Island ferry cost is fairly high but if you travel with a vehicle, the rate will include two passengers for $98. Additional passengers are extra. To help you plan your trip, check the Kangaroo Island ferry timetable and download the Kangaroo Island ferry prices.
The ferry crossing from Cape Jervis to Kangaroo Island takes about 45 minutes. Therefore, you have time to relax and enjoy the view.
You can do a 2-day tour of Kangaroo Island mixing a ferry crossing and a flight. Check out the additional information and current tour prices.
Where to Stay on Kangaroo Island
As most of the island’s surface is dedicated to wilderness, national park or agriculture, Kangaroo Island accommodation is mostly in the east of the island. The same goes for Kangaroo Island restaurants.
This means that you will have to travel some distance most days.
American River Accommodation
American River has lots of birdlife and is a popular place to stay in Kangaroo Island.
Penneshaw Accommodation
Penneshaw is very convenient if you are arriving late or leaving early on the ferry. Most places in Kangaroo Island will be some distance away though.
Kingscote Accommodation
Kingscote, Kangaroo Island is a great location as it has shops, a petrol station and the Penguin Centre.
Kangaroo Island Luxury Accommodation
I saw some beautiful houses with decks on the north side of the island.
Kangaroo Island accommodation fills up pretty quickly so it’s important to book well in advance, especially during holiday periods. The ferry books up quickly as well, I didn’t have a great deal of choice when I booked our passage.
Driving on Kangaroo Island
The island is big, really big. 150 kms from the east to the west. So you need to be ready to drive a lot. Getting somewhere first thing in the morning might mean a very early start, or coming back late. This means that you may need to drive in the dark. I didn’t have any problems with that as the roads are good and not too crowded but you need to take the wildlife into consideration.
We decided on getting to Kangaroo Island by car. I did a comparison between flying from Sydney to Adelaide and from Sydney to Kangaroo Island, and the car hire accordingly. Flying to Kangaroo Island directly didn’t work with our schedule and even if we avoided the cost of the ferry, hiring a car locally is quite expensive.
Be comfortable driving on unsealed roads. Kangaroo Island has three major sealed roads and you’ll get to use them a lot. However, the rest is unsealed. I didn’t find that to be an issue at all at there were no potholes, the roads were quite good. Still, the speed limit on these roads is still high, around 80 km an hour and you need to exercise caution.
The South Coast Highway and the Playford Highway are good quality sealed roads that cross the island from East to West. Hog Bay Road goes all the way to Penneshaw.
As most of the accommodation is at the east end of the island, you will have to take long drives to places like Flinders Chase National Park, Vivonne Bay and Cape Borda.
Cape Willoughby Lighthouse
Our first Kangaroo Island experience was to visit Cape Willoughby, the headland located at the east of the Dudley Peninsula. It’s a 22-km drive from Penneshaw on a dirt road and well worth doing.
This Kangaroo Island lighthouse was established in 1852 and is the oldest one in South Australia. Its purpose is to assist with shipping navigation through the Backstairs Passage, which had its fair share of shipwrecks over time.
The lighthouse was fitted with a Chance Bros dioptric revolving lens in
Today, there is a Cape Willoughby Conservation Park Visitor Centre.
Opening times:
- 9.00 to 15.30 Thursday to Monday
- 9.00 to 17.00 during the Spring, Summer and Autumn School Holidays
You can take a lighthouse tour:
- Thursday to Monday: 11.00, 12.30, 14.00
- Spring, Summer & Autumn School Holidays: 11.00, 12.30, 2.00, 3.00, 4.00
We didn’t get to visit the lighthouse as we got there fairly late in the afternoon however, we were able to wander around the area. We literally had the place to ourselves and only shared the headland with a mob of kangaroos…
Penneshaw
Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island is the little township closest to the ferry terminal. There are some useful services, such a small supermarket, a post office and a petrol station. A small colony of penguins lives at Penneshaw, however, the numbers are quite low these days.
The Penneshaw Beach is known as Hog Bay, after the release of pigs by Nicolas Baudin in 1803. Frenchman’s Rock also bears a carving by his crew to mark the arrival. Today, there is a replica on the beach and the original is displayed at the Gateway Visitor Centre.
Penneshaw has some interesting colonial houses and that’s where some of the Kangaroo Island fishing tours depart from.
I also recommend stopping by the Kangaroo Island Tourist Information Centre. Apart from housing the original Frenchman’s Rock in a glass case, it has a lot of information on what to see on Kangaroo Island. The staff was very helpful in assisting us finalise our Kangaroo Island itinerary. They did suggest we buy an annual pass but I think that’s only valid if you live in South Australia, or if you travel to Kangaroo Island several times a year.
Kangaroo Island Food and Drink
You should definitely experience the local food and drink, same as you would on Bruny Island. The experience is fairly similar to that of Bruny Island, with wineries, breweries and high-quality local produce.
Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery
The Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery is on Willsons Road and a short drive from Hog Bay Road and Birchmore Road.
Australian eucalyptus oil has many benefits: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral. There are many uses for personal health and around the home. Emu Ridge manufactures eucalyptus oil products in various forms and the shop is worth visiting to replenish your stocks.
Kangaroo Island Cider
Emu Ridge also hosts Kangaroo Island Cider and tastings. Their ciders, including the non-alcoholic one, are absolutely delicious and perfect for a warm day.
Kangaroo Island Gin
KI Spirits offers a selection of gins and liqueurs. I didn’t taste the gins or the whisky, but I really liked their liqueurs and brought some home with me. I was even tempted by the intriguing “snake oil” which is a recreation of the original “tonic” you add to gin…
Kangaroo Island Honey
We didn’t make it to any of the honey places, we packed so many other things in our Kangaroo Island trip! However, Kangaroo Island is the only place in the world that has a pure and disease-free Ligurian bee colony. I would definitely put that on my list for next time. Please note that you cannot take bee products like honey and wax across state lines in Australia. So it wouldn’t have worked for our return flight to Sydney anyway…
Beer & Wine
With a 10 year-old in tow, the Kangaroo Island wineries weren’t on our agenda and I’m not a beer drinker. But the Kangaroo Island Brewery is not too far from Kingscote, the main town of the island and boasts of “hand-built beer”…
For a trip dedicated to tasting wine, I recommend Mudgee and Orange in New South Wales.
Vivonne Bay General Store
Close to some of the most beautiful Kangaroo Island beaches, the Vivonne Bay General Store is one of those all-encompassing stores you only find in the Australian Bush. Apart from a General Store and fishing tackle shop, the store also has a bottle shop and a petrol station, the only one down this end of the island. It is so typical, it’s a must-do Kangaroo Island experience.
The shark burger is delicious. Don’t worry, there are other types of fish as well…
Oysters at American Bay
A Kangaroo Island food experience would be incomplete without tasting the local oysters… The oyster shack at American River serves local and super fresh seafood and oysters.
Kangaroo Island Wildlife
If you are looking for what to do on Kangaroo Island, it’s all about the wildlife… It’s great for photographers and great for children. We weren’t disappointed. In my opinion, the best Kangaroo Island activities involve the local wildlife.
Seal Bay Conservation Park
Kangaroo Island has a pretty big sea lion colony and Seal Bay is a conservation and observation area. Entry to the park is not cheap but this is as close as you are going to get to sea lions.
The 45-mins walking tour with a guide is the only way you can get to the beach and observe the sea lions in their habitat. You get to see them interact, play, look after their pups and even chase seagulls on the beach…
The guide is quite strict on what you can do and how far you can go but this is understandable: this is a conservation and protection program and sea lions can attack if you get too close to their young.
You get close but not too close. It was great for photography but still required a fairly powerful lens to take some close-ups…
KI Kangaroos
You would expect to find kangaroos on Kangaroo Island… Well, you do… And they’re adorable! The Kangaroo Island kangaroos have a warm brown fur and an almost black face. As they have no predators on the island, as opposed to kangaroos on mainland Australia, they’re quite placid and approachable.
We saw plenty of them at Cape Willoughby and Cape Borda, where they roamed freely towards the end of the day.
Watching wildlife is one of my favourite things to do when I travel. I highly recommend Bruny Island in Tasmania for this purpose. In Sydney, you can also find wildlife at The Basin.
Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari
I’ve always wanted to go swimming with wild dolphins and had a very exciting dolphin experience in New Zealand.
So, we looked into Kangaroo Island wilderness tours and found one that offered a dolphin encounter and swimming with seals.
The cruise with Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari starts at Penneshaw. Even though it was school holidays, we had the boat to ourselves.
First, we tried to swim with dolphins. For this exercise, you get in the water, holding onto a rope dragged by the boat. The idea is to be of interest to the dolphins who may swim past and have a look. Swimming behind the boat isn’t easy, you get a lot of bubbles and we didn’t have much visibility.
The seals are a lot easier to spot, lazing on the rocks…
As soon as we approached, a few of them raised their heads and decided to have a play. They slid in the water as my nephew and I put on our snorkels and fins…
There were 4 or 5 seals swirling in the water around and beneath us and we got a pretty good view. Several times, they came very
If you are interested in booking the Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari, check out the additional information and current tour prices. I highly recommend it!
South Australia has other swimming experiences, such as cage diving with sharks, but I’m not sure I’m game yet!
Birds at American River
American River, Kangaroo Island is a township on the east side of Kangaroo Island, not far from Kingscote.
Whilst the pelican feeding show no longer operates in Kingscote, we found many sea birds on the waterfront.
As I mentioned before, the Kangaroo Island animals are everywhere!
Little Sahara
As part of the multi-generational activities I had to find for our Kangaroo Island trip, I came across sandboarding at Little Sahara.
Kangaroo Island has its share of sand dunes and you can hire boards to slide down, which is a fun activity for a 10-year-old. Little Sahara is just off the South Coast Road, so it’s easy to stop on the way to Vivonne Bay and Flinders Chase National Park.
Unlike the Sahara Desert, the sand dunes are gold/yellow, meaning there is no water underneath them. My nephew enjoyed sliding down the dunes and it was a nice photography spot, with views extending all the way to the ocean.
Flinders Chase National Park
Flinders Chase is the Kangaroo Island national park. The park covers most of the western part of the island and the entry is 110km from Kingscote, so you need an early start to get there.
Visitor’s Centre
The first stop is the Visitor’s Centre, where we purchased our entry ticket for the day: $22. You can also buy a two-day entry pass (for two consecutive days) if you wish to come back. We didn’t have time for a Kangaroo Island hike in the park and were able to see most things in a day. A Kangaroo Island walk would be great, I hope to give those trails a go sometime soon!
The Visitor’s Centre is a good place to get your bearings: you can learn about the Kangaroo Island wildlife, flora and history. There is also a cafe and a gift shop.
There is a trail behind the Visitor’s Centre called the Heritage Walk, where you might see some koalas and other wildlife. You can do a round trip back to the Visitor’s Centre in 20 minutes or so, or go all the way to the Platypus Pools. We didn’t see any koalas in the trees that day but it’s a great introduction to the bush flora. There are plenty of grass trees and the bush is beautiful and healthy.
Cape du Couedic
The Cape du Couedic Lighthouse was built in 1909, on the south-west tip of Kangaroo Island. It’s now automated and you can stay in the lightkeeper’s cottages.
There is a fairly large carpark below the lighthouse and a view over the Casuarina Islets, also known as “The Brothers”. As with many lighthouse locations, the place is very windy and there is a feeling of isolation, and “end of the earth”…
In the early days, there was no road to reach Cape du
From the car park, there is a boardwalk to get to Admiral’s Arch.
Flinders Chase National Park is one of the Kangaroo Island highlights on this two-day trip. Check out additional information and current tour prices.
Admiral’s Arch
If you follow the boardwalk and stairs around the cliff face, you get to Admiral’s Arch, a natural rock arch created by swell, rain and wind. It’s one of the Kangaroo Island highlights. Along the way, there are plenty of opportunities to spot New Zealand fur seals relaxing and playing in the rock pools below. They are quite dark in colours and don’t necessarily stand out against the black rocks.
From the boardwalk, you can also spot dolphins and whales…
At the end of the boardwalk, there is a viewing platform overlooking the arch. Admiral’s Arch is an impressive photo spot at sunset however, that would mean having to leave straight after as the park closes. Also, you would need to drive back at night, which presents the risk of animals crossing the road…
Remarkable Rocks
Further along the coast are the aptly named Remarkable Rocks, one of the most spectacular things to see in Kangaroo Island. Those giant granite boulders are sitting on top a dome of lava and have been shaped by wind erosion. The oddly sculpted rocks are covered in parts with gold-orange lichen, a colour reminiscent of the Bay of Fires in Tasmania.
From the road leading up to the rocks or the boardwalk or up close, these rocks make for stunning photo opportunities.
Again, sunsets and sunrises are especially good times but you need to decide whether you want to drive in the dark…
The place is quite busy with tourists and required a little patience to take unobstructed photos. It’s easy to get around but you need to exercise caution, especially if it’s windy or wet. There are signs indicating that you really shouldn’t attempt to go down to the sea level, people have drowned in the past.
Remarkable Rocks is a great vantage point over the coast, with views of Cape du Couedic and Weirs Cove.
Weirs Cove
Weirs Cove is at the end of an unsealed road that turns left when you approach Cape du Couedic. The road is on a cliff and when you get to the lookout, the cove appears to be a perfect shape with the most beautiful blue colours. Remarkable Rocks are visible in the distance.
Supplies arrived at Weirs Cove before the road to Cape Couedic Lighthouse was built. The old storehouse remains and has even been renovated to prevent it from crumbling altogether. The limestone structure has no roof but steel beams now maintain the integrity of the walls.
Standing at the lookout, I got a sense of how isolated the place must have been in the early days, and even until the automation of the lighthouse. This always feels strange to me, that people would go and live in such isolation… That’s part of the Kangaroo Island experience!
Supplies were brought in every three or four months and hoisted on the cliff by a flying fox…
Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area
After touring the south side of the Flinders Chase National Park, we wanted to go to Cape Borda. The afternoon was advancing but I didn’t want to miss another lighthouse… The easiest way to go to Cape Borda was to take the South End Highway towards the north and meet the Playford Highway. However, there is a shortcut through the wilderness area. I loved going through the wilderness near Cradle Mountain in Tasmania so I thought it would be a good experience.
The Ravine des Casoars is a gorge and drainage basin. There is a walking trail and a very isolated beach which you can hike to. We elected to drive on Shackle Road, through the wilderness and reach Playford Highway and Cape Borda Lighthouse. I enquired about this road at the Visitor’s Centre and they didn’t encourage me to drive it… It’s understandable, the place is very isolated, we didn’t meet a single vehicle and the road was very corrugated…
Shackle Road
It wasn’t the easiest drive as the car slid a bit in places, and I wouldn’t attempt it in the rain. But, I drove carefully and it all went well.
The expedition led by Nicolas Baudin named the Ravine des Casoars around 1800-1803. Casoar means cassowary in French however, Nicolas Baudin actually mistook some Kangaroo Island emus, which are now extinct.
If you are confident with the drive on Shackle Road, it’s a beautiful crossing in an untouched wilderness area. Most of the area burned down in 2007 because of lightning strikes and you really couldn’t tell, nature recovered beautifully…
Cape Borda
I was glad to reach Playford Highway as the road is easier to drive. We arrived at Cape Borda in the late afternoon and missed the visit of the lighthouse. Instead, we took the self-guided tour of the grounds and had a look at the museum.
Cape Borda Lighthouse was built in 1858 to assist navigation in the Investigator Strait. It’s an unusual lighthouse, short and square. The cliffs around Cape Borda are so high, there was no need for a round tall tower as we usually know lighthouses to be.
The lantern is still in service and was automated in 1989.
As the day was ending, the kangaroos started coming out… Kangaroo Island wildlife is everywhere!
The museum has some interesting historic lighthouse equipment, tools, radios and whale bones…
We drove past the cemetery, where lightkeepers and their wives are buried. Many children who didn’t receive adequate medical care in this remote part of the word are also there.
Scott Cove
Before heading back to our lodging in Pennington Bay, we stopped at Scott Cove. In the early days of the lighthouse, supplies arrived by boat at Harveys Return.
There is a beautiful view over Cape Torrens in the distance and the location of the Fides shipwreck in 1860.
Night fell as we drove… For a while I wondered if we’d encounter wildlife on the road but it was all clear on the highway. After all, it’s part of the Kangaroo Island experience… But we only saw kangaroos on the unsealed section of Playford Highway, on our way from the Ravine des Casoars.
Beaches
Kangaroo Island is not all rugged coastline and dramatic cliffs. There are some beautiful beaches and you can easily take a break and lie on a secluded beach…
Vivonne Bay
Vivonne Bay was voted Australia’s most beautiful beach a few years ago and it’s easy to understand why… This seemingly endless stretch of white sand, softly curving around turquoise waters, is a dream… We had the beach to ourselves and I can’t imagine there would be enough people on Kangaroo Island to make this beach look busy…
The beach has toilets, barbecues, picnic areas and there is safe swimming near the jetty and boat ramp. As it is the only safe harbour on the south coast of Kangaroo Island, Vivonne Bay gets busy with
Snelling Beach
The north side of Kangaroo Island is the more rural part, with farms and paddocks. Along the North Coast Road, you can drive down to Snelling Beach.
Snelling Beach is a small white sand cove with very spectacular sunsets. The drive down to Snelling Beach is incredibly scenic. Progressing through green paddocks, the coast appears as you drive past the architect mansions.
We noticed at that point that everything had an orange tinge, due to previous bush fires.
The road steeps towards the beach so you need to drive slowly but the view is spectacular!
Stokes Bay
A little further is Stokes Bay. Known for its rock pools and rock tunnel, a trail that finds it way between boulders to discover a sandy beach, it’s also very beautiful at sunset.
We didn’t hang around too long at Stokes Bay, too beat after a long day… but we did catch the last sun rays!
Final Thoughts on Kangaroo Island
Like many destinations in Australia, Kangaroo Island is quite easy to travel around and there is plenty of information available. However, there are certain Kangaroo Island facts you need to take in consideration for a successful trip.
I’m glad we booked ahead but felt we didn’t have a lot of choice in terms of accommodation and ferry times, so next time I would book even further ahead.
Pack a picnic and water supplies for the day. The island is big and you won’t find food in the more remote places. Some cafes might be closed during the off-season so pack what you need for the day.
Also, if you are doing a self-drive, keep an eye on your petrol gauge. Most petrol stations are located in Penneshaw, Kingscote and American River and you need enough petrol to come back.
Overall, it was a fantastic experience and I would go back in a heartbeat!
Is Anything Like Kangaroo Island in Australia?
In my opinion, Kangaroo Island is quite unique however Australia has many great locations. For coastal activities, I recommend Batemans Bay and the Bouddi National Park in New South Wales.
For great road trips in Australia, try Namadgi National Park near Canberra, the Great Ocean Road in Victoria and a drive to Jervis Bay in New South Wales.
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Have you experienced Kangaroo Island? Please tell me about it in the comments below!
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This is totally the island for me! I hadn’t heard of it but I’ve added it to my Australia trip list. I’m dying to see kangaroos, but the added advantages of the beautiful ferry ride, the oldest lighthouse in Australia, the seals (just saw those down in Ushuaia, Argentina-so cool) and I MUST try the shark burger! Pretty drives and I could go on and on! This is quite a useful and comprehensive guide!
Hi Heather, I’m pleased this post has inspired you to add Australia to your bucket list. Kangaroo Island is still relatively unknown as a destination and there isn’t that accommodation on the island, so it’s still protected from large crowds. The seals were the best!
What an amazing place! I had never heard of Kangaroo Island before and its now a must see location for whenever we get to visit Australia. Five days sounds to be the perfect time. I can’t imagine being able to enjoy kangaroos and sea lions in the wild. My kids would just love it… us too!
Hi Joanne, thank you for your kind comment. Kangaroo Island is indeed a very beautiful and very well preserved place. Kids and adults would equally love the place, I hope you get a chance to visit Australia soon!
I’ve always wanted to go to Kangaroo Island, as I’ve read a fair bit about it; keep looking at going back to Australia, and I didn’t realize it wasn’t THAT far from Melbourne. Gorgeous (and interesting) photography – thank you!
Hi Merryn, Kangaroo Island is not that far from Melbourne, only a short flight to Adelaide and a drive, you can do it! You won’t be disappointed, it’s an absolutely gorgeous place.
What an incredible place to enjoy nature. Kangaroo Island seems like the perfect destination to soak up some sun and allow nature to enthrall you. Very nice photographs too, the Hog Bay Road photo made me want to visit immediately. Also, fish burgers!! love them. Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Hi Mohana, Kangaroo Island is really incredible. It has that amazing mix of wildlife, beautiful nature and great food that Australia is actually really good at! I hope you get a chance to visit someday.
I have heard so many beautiful things about Kangaroo Island from my Aussie friends that I really hope to go someday here. Seal lions on the coast are looking very cute and Snelling beach is really stunning.
Hi Yukti, if you do visit Australia, it would be great to make some time for Kangaroo Island, you certainly won’t regret it!
Kangaroo Island sounds delightful! But kangaroos and other assorted wildlife and food options aside, let’s talk cider .. specifically the aforementioned Kangaroo Island cider. I LOVE a good pint of cider. Is it leaning more toward dry or sweet? Inquiring minds you know.
Hi Michael, the cider in Kangaroo Island is very good. I brought back a few bottles and really enjoyed drinking them on a warm Sydney afternoon, reminiscing of my time in Kangaroo Island… As with most Australian ciders, it was pretty sweet, however it still had that strong fermented taste tht you have in Britanny cider. They also have an alcohol-free apple fizzy drink, also delicious…
I’d soooooo love to experience the wildlife like this on Kangaroo Island. What a super cool experience! Your photos are amazing!
Hi Sage, thank you for dropping by. I’m very happy with the photography on this trip, we had good weather for most of the trip!
I haven’t been to Australia yet, but it’s there, on the list. Kangaroo Island is definitely worth visiting, the landscape looks amazing!
Hi Mirela, it’s good that you have Australia on your bucket list, but it’s such a big country, you will need to allocate a fair amount of time! Kangaroo Island is not the most famous of Australia’s places of interest, but it’s really worth the trip!
What a beautiful place! I’ve never heard of this island. I love how diverse it is though, with is sand dunes and beaches and wildlife. Car ferries are so interesting. I’ve taken one just like that from Deleware to New Jersey here in the US! It’s amazing how many cars they can pack on there!
Hi Maggie, the ferry is really cool, it gives visitors a real sense of isolation on the island. It’s a great aspect of island life!
What a lovely experience the trip to Kangaroo Island is. The ferry ride itself sounds fascinating with the vehicles parked so closely together. There are so many places to see and things to do, I am sure there never is a dull moment. I would love the Cape Willoughby lighthouse, it has such an aura of romance around it. Not to forget the seals, they are such interesting and beautiful creatures.
Hi Sandy, seeing the cars packed so carefully in the hull, along with the trucks and the buses, is indeed entertaining. It’s amazing how they make it work so well.You’re right about the Cape Willoughby Lighthouse, it’s really romantic with all the kangaroos hopping around, we took some really good photos.
This is top of my Australian travel list, would be in it just for the animals, especially the sea lions. They are such cuties.
Yes, the wildlife in Kangaroo Island is the best thing to see. They are everywhere and there aren’t many people, so it’s completely ideal…
I’ve visited KI some 20 years ago when I was an exchange student in Adelaide. Such a beautiful place and all the wildlife. I think I liked the mini penguins the best. Then again, the seals are adorable too. This post makes me want to go back there. You have put up a super useful KI Guide. Kudos!
Hi Anna, I’m very pleased you like my guide on Kangaroo Island, the animals are probably one of the best attractions on the island!
I’ve never heard of this place but it looks like a wildlife lovers’ dream! Those seals and sea lions are adorable.
Hi Cherene, Kangaroo Island is indeed a wildlife lovers’dream, the animals are everywhere. The sea lions were such a delight, it was fantastic to see them roam freely on the beach, you don’t get to see that everyday…
Kangaroo Island looks like a really special place to visit. Certainly one of the most photogenic spots. 😉 I’d go straight for the lighthouse and the sea lions. They are so adorable!
Hi Melody, I’m with you. The best places are the lighthouses and Seal Bay, it’s so cool to see the sea lions on the beach!
Fantastic post! I’ve been to Kangaroo Island, but made the mistake of going as a day trip. It takes a while to get out there, and once you’re there, so much to see and do! Would definitely recommend to go out for at least a day or two, if not longer. I loved seeing the seals though!
Hi Katie, I absolutely agree that one day to visit Kangaroo Island is not enough. Seal Bay is a fantastic highlight but the distances are so large and the ferry transfer does take a bit of time. If you are the opportunity to go back, I would recommend a minimum of 3 days to really enjoy it.
Such a beautiful place! I’ve never seen seals before. And i’ll definitely add this place to my bucket list. Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience.
Hi Ansh, seeing seals is a great experience and they are everywhere in certain parts of Kangaroo Island. If you visit Australia, you should definitely include Kangaroo Island.
Kangaroo Island sounds like a fantastic place to visit I will add it to my list when I visit my Aussie friends. The lighthouse looks beautiful and Vivonne Bay along with Seal Bay Conservation Park. If you only had one day what would you recommend seeing?
Hi Wendy, the absolute essentials in one day on Kangaroo Island would be Seal Bay, Vivonne Bay and the Flinders National Park. It’s a big day though with all the driving. Kangaroo Island is quite big so you’d have to start early in the morning and finish late at night… And preferably not do all of that out of Adelaide, unless you are flying!
I’ve never heard of Kangaroo Island before but now I must go! This looks like a wonderful experience to have whenever visiting. I would love to take endless photos I mean the scenery itself is so picturesque as well!
Thank you, I’m a photographer so Kangaroo Island was a great destination to visit.
What a great post about Kangaroo Island, it’s making me so mad at myself for not visiting when I lived in Adelaide! Aside from how beautiful it it, and getting to see the seals, I would have loved to check out the Eucalyptus distillery, the cider and the shark burger!
Hi Christine, Kangaroo Island is definitely a great asset for Adelaide, it’s a shame that not enough is mentioned about it. Adelaide is more associated with the wineries of McLaren Vale and others, which are also very nice. But for a wilderness experience, that’s really the place to be.
We’ve heard a lot about Kangaroo Island lately and will add it to our travel bucket list. In fact, we’ve never been to Australia, mostly because it’s so far away and we can only afford to travel far during July and August… but that’s winter down under. So hopefully we’ll get to explore this huge country/continent someday between September and March. There are actually two main reasons why we want to travel to Australia: see kangaroos and see koalas! Since there are kangaroos on Kangaroo Island, we should definitely go to this island. Also, your picture of Hog Bay Road really makes us want to explore around, as well as the beautiful sand dunes and beaches.
Winter is not too bad in Australia, compared to Europe. Kangaroo Island would probably be windy and a little cold, and mostly devoid of tourists. I find that the light in winter is really beautiful, which is great for photos and you still get blue skies.
This is one island I so want to check out as I love nature and beautiful scenery, and Kangaroo island has it for me. The coastline looks so rugged, I could spend hours here walking and starring out to the ocean. Think I am going to have to try and hit this up on my next trip to Down under.
Hi Danik, Kangaroo Island is ideal if you are looking for a nature experience in Australia. I didn’t do much walking there but I know there are some great hikes along the coast.
What an experience!!!! first such beautiful photos, the Island looks stunning, second swimming with the seals and dolphins in nature – what a treat. And then sliding on sand dunes. Next time when we will visit Australia – Kangaroo Island is on our must-see list
Hi Ania, Kangaroo Island is indeed stunning. Swimming with seals was so much fun, I recommend over swimming with dolphins.
Australia is really blessed with beautiful beaches, stunning coastline and exotic animals. The drive to Remarkable rock is really beautiful drive. Swimming with seals would be the most interesting thing to do here. I am totally sold out for this island.
Hi Yukti, there is no shortage of cool things to do in Kangaroo Island. Swimming with seals was an absolute highlight, they seemed to enjoy themselves even more than we did…
What a gorgeous place! Kangaroo Island looks amazing (minus the marsupials…not a fan) and your pictures really do it justice. The sea lions are so freaking cute!! I would definitely have to visit each of the lighthouses you mentioned, starting with Cape Willoughby. So pretty! Thanks for sharing this special place with us!
Melody, you are the first person to say they don’t like marsupials… Normally, people find them cute… Maybe they creep you out like monkeys do sometimes? Fair enough. The sea lions are a great sight as they are in their element, however you need a powerful lens to take some good photos.
I have never heard of Kangaroo Island, but after reading this I’m sold on a visit. Everything about it looks amazing. I especially liked the rock formations on the beach, wildlife (of course) and the food! Oysters and cider are a perfect combination!
Hi Nancy, Remarkable Rocks are fantastic, very photogenic and easy to get to if you don’t mind a bit of driving. After that adventure, a good lunch of oysters and cider is in order!
I recently visited Rottnest Island in WA and it looks like that is just a miniature version of everything you can find on Kangaroo Island! The variety of landscapes and wildlife on KI is stunning, and Little Sahara catches my eye for some reason! That’s really nice that the kangaroos here aren’t aggressive, although I’m very curious what natural predators there are for kangaroos on the “mainland” of Australia! The food and drink options sound amazing, and although the island is big, it sounds like it is worth it to rent a car and be able to see it at your own pace.
Hi Kevin, I need to go back to Rottnest Island on my next trip to Perth, I missed out last time. Kangaroo Island was pretty quiet when we were there, even though it was school holidays. Kangaroos are not normally aggressive, even on the mainland. I think it’s only if they get used to people giving them food… Driving is indeed a great way to visit Kangaroo Island, but the distances are quite significant!
I’d heard about the wildlife on kangaroo island but didn’t realise there was so much more there I’d also love. Fingers crossed I get there one day. It’s on my list!!
Hi Kathryn, Kangaroo Island is well known for its wildlife and it’s been hard hit by the fires… I hope they can recover and we’ll still have plenty of cute kangaroos in the future…
Thanks for the thorough post! Hurts my heart to read about the impact on wildlife in the recent fires. I’m hopeful Kangaroo Island and the rest of the country’s diverse regions can recover to some extent. Until then, I hope your post and others promote some tourism dollars to Australia!
Hi Agnes, when I went to Kangaroo Island, I went through the Ravine des Casoars, which had burned in 2007. You really couldn’t tell, nature had recovered very well. I am confident nature will recover but things will be tough for the locals. And you never know, the fires might start again next year…