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Island in South Australia
Photo: Diceman at English Wikipedia Photo taken by Stephen West in January 2005 with a Digitrex DSC-2100 digital camera., Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Kangaroo Island is the third largest island of Australia (after Tasmania and Melville Island) about 45 minutes by ferry off the coast of South Australia. The island is 160 km across, has an abundance of wildlife, natural scenery, wineries and beaches, and is approximately the size of Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada.
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Guided tour to see the penguins in Penneshaw. Tours start at 6:30PM and 7:30PM in winter, an hour later during daylight saving.
Australian sea lions are at Seal Bay Conservation Park. Located in the south of the island, this park gives you the opportunity to see wild Australian sea lions resting on the beach before returning for feeding in the sea. You can take an unguided walk along the boardwalk and to the lookout at any time. The beach is only accessible with guided tours.
Parndana Wildlife Park
If luck isn't going your way, and you don't want to leave the island without seeing the wildlife, try Parndana Wildlife Park. You'll be able to walk amongst the animals and have the kangaroos crowd around you while you feed them.
An Australian marine park home to many sea lions, for those wanting to see them. The park is comanaged by Parks Australia and the National Parks and Wildlife Services South Australia.
True to their name, the rocks have remarkable formations. You can climb under them, over them and around them, and they really are interesting. The formation is around 500 m from the carpark, and is wheelchair accessible. Don't let the kids run ahead, as the formation is on the edge of a lichen-covered cliff, which gets steep deceptively quickly.
A nice set of caves. Probably nothing here of particular interest if you have visited limestone caves in the past.
A dramatic natural rock arch. Views back to the Remarkable Rocks.
You can walk around the lighthouse area for a small fee, or go to the top, and get a tour with the history of the site for a little more. They have a Chance Bros, Class 1 glass on display in one of rooms below. The area is exposed, and usually very windy. The open air view at the top is bracing.
You can just see it from the outside, and you certainly won't miss it when you are visiting the fur seals at Admirals Arch. A short walk from the lighthouse you can see the remains of storerooms and a flying fox used to get stores up to the lighthouse - when they were delivered every three months.
Also runs tours, but probably doesn't see as many visitors as Cape Willoughby, due to a more remote location. It is of a different shape and style to the other two.
also known as Mt Thisby
Matthew Flinders first ascended the peak, and it will take about 10 minutes to climb if you are of reasonable fitness. Steps the whole way, and a 360-degree view from the top. Whilst you're here, don't miss Pennington Bay.
The site of the first settlement in South Australia. The lookout is nice, and there is a mulberry tree first planted as part of a farm here during early settlement. Other interpretive signs pointing out the history of the area, and where things were. You will need a good imagination to bring it back to life though. Nice view over Kingscote.
Not a significant lookout of any kind, but has some stunning views of the beach, the nature and the sea from a hilly perspective.
Nice green rolling plains by the ocean.
Historic art museum.
Kangaroo Island Diving Safaris runs Dive Charters out of Western River Cove. Diving with seals and many other marine creatures including the famous Leafy Sea Dragon. Cost includes 2 dives with tanks and weights and light lunch onboard. Departing Western River Cove. Please note that its dive centre in Kingscote has been closed since January 2017 - please confirm with the dive store in Adelaide if dive charters are available before travelling to KI.
Scuba tank refills.
Sandboards and toboggans are available for rent
Perhaps KI's only pizza bar with a monopoly on pizza on the entire island – it also has a decent range of what you'd find in an ordinary Australian cafe. Both dine-in and takeaway are available (often this cafe is full; it might be faster to take your pizza elsewhere instead of waiting >30–40 mins).
One of the few cafes on the island to open as early as 7:30 in the morning. It has a bit of a cactus theme, but like many of the other cafes found in South Australia, much of the menu resembles a typical Australian cafe. If you're after something savoury and it's a Tuesday, they also have a "Pancake Tuesday" during winter between 9–11AM.
Mid-range fish and chips shop.
A splurge destination! For very special occasions. Sits along the coastline with great views. Huge communal dining, drinking and relaxing area. There's a spa retreat.
A spacious and private self contained cottage with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and all modern conveniences. It is located right next to a safe swimming beach and you can watch kangaroos and parrots from the back verandah. Price ranges from $140 to $240 per night for up to 7 people, with discounts for longer stays.
formerly KI Dragonfly Guesthouse
Clean hostel with a friendly atmosphere, only three minutes walk to penguin colony, beach and pelican feeding. Offers a communal kitchen and a communal lounge. Doubles are around $60, dorm rooms are available.
Offers a wide range on available room types.
Located on the beautiful foreshore at Kingscote. Online booking at the website.
They have an interesting sparkling honey drink called Fresco. Go into their back room and see a hive and a DVD showing how honey is harvested. Stay in the shop area and buy lots of honey products and souvenirs. For 20¢ you can have a piece of chocolate-covered honeycomb, which, if you like chocolate-covered honeycomb, may just be the highlight of your visit to the island. It just doesn't get any better. Try the honey ice-cream as well. It doesn't taste like honey, but it is really creamy and sweet.
You can visit the shop - selling a wide range of Eucalyptus products. Do they really produce the lollies on site, or have they gone to the factory on the mainland and been shipped back to the shop? Who knows. They have a wallaby and a kangaroo which jump around in the shop, although the shop owner insists they are free to come and go as they please. They also sell feral cat skins for a few dollars, hunted locally. It is an environmentally friendly, albeit diminutive answer to the lion skin in front of the fireplace.
Fresh American River oysters available in season as well as a selection of other aquatic produce including (normally) marron and abalone.
By ferry
Ferries operated by Sealink travel between Cape Jervis on the mainland, and Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island. Ferries carry cars and passengers.
By plane
If you are not taking a car with you, air fares can be competitive with coach and ferry fares from Adelaide.
By car
Make sure you have plenty of fuel before you start your trip. Petrol stations are generally only in the main settlements and frequently close before 6PM.
By bus
There is a bus operated twice daily in either direction by Peninsula Coaches between Kingscote, American River and Penneshaw. Booking is necessary.50 concession/children.
By bicycle
Bicycle rental and bicycle tours are available on Kangaroo Island. Bike rental is available when you get there.
By tour
Most tours run between 1 and 3 days and operate from Adelaide. If you make your own way to the island you can normally join a tour group at a reduced cost.
By transfer
There are two transfer companies on Kangaroo Island, they can arrange for you to be transferred to anywhere on the island
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