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With so much to offer, Why not stay a while?
ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES ON KANGAROO ISLAND
NATURAL ATTRACTIONS
Kangaroo Island is internationally renowned for its spectacular landscapes and amazing diversity of wildlife. In 2009, the island received one of Australia's top tourism accolades when it was declared part of Tourism Australia's National Landscapes program.
Kangaroo Island's most recognised attractions are situated within the national parks on the island. Seal Bay, Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch, and Cape Borda and Cape Willoughby lightstations are all examples of the diverse array of attractions on the island.
Flinders chase National Park
Western end of Kangaroo Island features magnificent coastal landscapes coupled with vast wilderness areas and diverse wildlife. Flinders Chase National Park is the home of the iconic Admiral's Arch with its colony of New Zealand fur seals and the truly Remarkable Rocks. Open every day except Christmas day.
Baudin Conservation Park
Baudin Conservation Park on Kangaroo Island was a family farm from 1861 to 2001.
Interpretation along the Ironstone Hill Hike that follows the original bullock track provides an insight into how the Bates family lived and worked in this area. With spectacular views across Backstairs Passage to the Fleurieu Peninsula, the hike leads to Ironstone Hill where the ruins of the Bates' cottage and a stone threshing floor remain.
While walking through the park you may encounter little penguins - which are best observed at night using a red filtered torch. Tammar wallabies and rare glossy black-cockatoos may also be seen feeding in the sheoak forest. You may even catch a glimpse of dolphins swimming in Backstairs Passage adjoining the park.
Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park and Wilderness Protection Area
Vast areas of wilderness, the Island's largest freshwater lake and coastal scenery provide a spectacular backdrop to Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park on the south coast of Kangaroo Island.
The park has plenty of walking opportunities, including the unmarked Cape Gantheaume Coastal Trek, suitable for experienced hikers only, and established trails at Murray Lagoon.
Murray Lagoon supports wetland habitat for abundant birdlife, while D'Estrees Bay has beautiful beaches for recreation. This bay is a historic site connected to the island's early whaling industry.
The self-guided drive along D'Estrees Bay Road allows the visitor to discover the natural and cultural significance of the area. Designated points of interest along the 8km drive are marked. Access to Southern Kangaroo Island Marine Park is also available from this park.
Lashmar Conservation Park
A favourite for beach lovers, Lashmar Conservation Park adjoins the long sandy beach at Antechamber Bay.
The park is an ideal location for swimming, fishing and birdwatching and is just a short drive from Cape Willoughby lightstation.
Explore the park further by canoeing your way along the tranquil Chapman River which flows through the park and into the sea at Antechamber Bay.
A scenic picnic area and campground are also available within the park.
Cape Willoughby Lighthouse
The first lighthouse erected in South Australia, the Cape Willoughby Lighthouse lights the Backstairs Passage between Kangaroo Island and the mainland.
Vivonne Bay
"Vivonne bay is one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen, as we both enjoyed walking along the beach in the evening watching the waves. The added bonus is that there is a large population of Wallabies in the area - which you can feed and take some nice photos."
Lookout, Prospect Hill
RESTAURANTS & GUIDED TOURS
KIS: Kangaroo Island Spirits
All of our products are handmade, bottled and labelled here, and we offer product tastings of our entire range. The Cellar Door at Cygnet River is open to visitors for tasting, bottle sales and light refreshments.
Dudley Winery
"We love mixing business with a little pleasure. Treat yourself to a delicious lunch with an amazing view at Dudley Winery, it's worth the drive." AoIB
The family at Dudley Wines invite you to share their piece of the picturesque Kangaroo Island and to capture the sights, tastes and characters that make it. Dudley’s indulgent Clifftop Cellar Door offers a wide range of wines for tasting, including whites, reds, bubbly’s and sweet wines and is only 12km from the ferry terminal in Penneshaw. Taste handcrafted wines on the deck, perched atop Kangaroo Island’s stunning north coast. Our Cellar Door Menu includes gourmet light lunch and platter options, incorporating fresh Kangaroo Island produce. Beer, coffee and dessert also available.
Kangaroo Island Honey with Fig ice cream
Kangaroo Island Source has created a handmade ice cream with Ligurian Bee Honey and Fig... clever creators on this Island!
Exceptional Kangaroo Island Tours
Exceptional Kangaroo Island is a family-owned eco-friendly tour company for Kangaroo Island off of the coast of South Australia. Highly recommend.
Cape Borda Lightstation
Cape Borda Lightstation is in a stunning location upon the cliffs overlooking Investigator Strait. To discover the maritime history of the area you can take a tour of the lighthouse and visit the museum. Don't miss the daily cannon firing on the 12.30pm tour!
Kelly Hill Conservation Park & Caves
"The cave tour is the highlight for Kelly Hill Park, they offer two options - one is a cave walk which we went on. The save walk is amazing, as the guide walks you through some amazing chambers filled with beautiful geological rock formations. The added bonus is the guide tells you stories of lost souls in the cave and how the original explorers navigated their way around. The other option is a caving adventure tour in which you use headlamps and navigate in a group around the cave - not for the faint of heart. It is well worth the visit, and there are some nice bush walks you can take before and after the save tour. "
Tiger Trails
Scenic Trail rides
"When you think of Kangaroo Island, you tend to think of beaches and the coastline and associated activities. However, there is the inland to explore also. Our family of 5 (2 adults and 3 children aged 9, 11 and 13) went for a trail ride at Tiger Trails in the inland of Kangaroo Island. What a great way to see the bush. Saw kangaroos and rode along the creek - just lovely and very scenic. Tiger Trails is very professional - Yaeda has a great set up and was very organised."
Little Sahara
"Little Sahara is located somewhere near Seal Bay. It is clearly indicated on the map, but really hard to find on the road. It takes about 20 mins East from Seal Bay and there are organised tours would take you there on a regular basis for Sand Sliding"
ANIMAL ATTRACTIONS
Pelicans on Island Beach
"Our Island Beach resident Pelicans (usually 10 of them) always looking for a feed!" - AoIB
Seal Bay Conservation Park
Seal Bay offers one of the rarest and most exceptional nature-based experiences in the world. Our tours are designed to suit a wide variety of visitors – you can stay all day if you want to! There are no enclosures or cages at Seal Bay. Instead, you will be taken into the heart of the colony where our experienced guides will teach you more about these endangered animals. Visitors given a unique insight into how these endangered animals fish, surf, rest, interact with their pups and defend their territory.If you prefer, you can set your own pace on the wheelchair accessible 300 metre boardwalk which meanders through the dunes to a number of viewing platforms.Fees for entrance to Seal Bay means we can invest in ongoing research and conservation efforts. Through these efforts we hope to preserve the natural habitat of a wild Australian sea lion colony for generations to come.
Raptor Domain
"The Raptor show was fantastic.
It had the variety of raptors that you would expect from a much bigger show, but it had the personal interaction of a smaller show.
Here, about a quarter of the crowd (most of the front row) either had a smaller raptor perch on their (gloved) hand, or had a small barn owl (Casper) hop on their knee.
Unlike bigger shows, this personal interaction is at no extra cost.
In addition, the facility take in and rehabilitates injured birds from all over the country.
This show was the highlight of our stay at Kangaroo Island.
The people doing the show where very knowledgeable and interesting."
Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary & Koala Walk
"I love this place. THe Koalas are all over in the trees and we saw babies with the mother too. I like that they have it in the wild. I do not like caged animals and I appreciate this place. It was fantastic and I would recommend it to anyone! "
Parndana Wildlife Park
This is actually now the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park and is operated by new owners, young and enthusiastic about the place and their animals. So, this might be like any animal sanctuary--lots of kangaroos that you can feed, koalas you can touch and pet up close, but what made our visit special was seeing the wallaby with joey AND getting to hold --in special baby wrap-- the baby kangaroo that had been found that week in someone's back yard, who then brought to the Park.
KANGAROO ISLAND TOURING INFORMATION
ALCHEMY BLUE 2022
There is a lot of Island Experiences Information at the house.
You can also pick up a Tourist Information Book and a Food and Wine Trail Booklet on the ferry or at the Tourist Information Office in Penneshaw.
The “On Island” Experiences, Food and Wine options are very dynamic so it is worth checking the latest information on availability.
ALWAYS CHECK OPENING TIMES PARTICULARLY IN WINTER
Some of our personal suggestions whilst on KI;
EXPERIENCES
- Raptor Domain and KI Wildlife Park are both excellent
- Seal Bay is excellent but a bit expensive. As an alternative you can see many Sea Lions at Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks.
- Little Saharas walk up (sandboarding and quad biking also available)
- North Coast Road drive. Stop for lunch at the Rockpool Café at Stokes Bay.
- Beach walk at Vivonne Bay ( good also for a beach picnic perhaps with a whiting burger from the Vivonne Bay store)
- Eucalyptus Farm is interesting.
- There are many scenic bays such as Pennington/Antichamber/Snellings Beach/Western River Cove. Also lighthouses around the coast. You just need to spend time poking around off the main roads.
- Chapman River, a pretty picnic spot.
- National Parks walks (refer to National Parks Guide Book)
- Prospect Hill Lookout
WHEN DRIVING TAKE CARE ON GRAVEL ROADS AND CONTINUOSLY BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR WILD LIFE.
FOOD and WINE options:
PENNESHAW
- Penneshaw Hotel has good “pub “food and bottle shop with good selection of Island wines.
- Millie Mae’s is has excellent coffee and good for Breakfast/Brunch
- Sunset Fine Foods between Penneshaw and Island Beach. Excellent food and views.
- IGA Store is well stocked for grocery items
AMERICAN RIVER
- Oyster Shop (at the Oyster Farm). Eat in or take away oysters and fresh fish
- Tru Thai. (Old Salt Lake Rd….turn off main Hogg Bay Rd. at American River intersection). Cheap and cheerful Thai food in the woolshed on Thursday Night only. Sometimes a band playing. You need to book.
KINGSCOTE
- Cactus. Excellent coffee
- Island Beehive. Honey products
- KI Fresh Seafood at Caltex Services station. Best seafood on the Island (you can eat in)
- Drakes Supermarket. well stocked
- KIS Distillery. (on Cygnet River Rd) gin spirits worth tasting
DUDLEY PENINSULA
- False Cape Wines. excellent place for lunch or a platter and some very good wines
- Dudley Wines. lunch or platters and their upper priced wines are good (food has been a bit variable)