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The third largest island off the Australian mainland and South Australia’s most celebrated tourist attraction, Kangaroo Island is located a few hours’ drive and ferry ride south of Adelaide , at the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula . A weekend getaway and more if you like, this island buffeted by waves and winds offers a nature/discovery destination where wildlife can be observed in droves in the forests and along the coasts, and whose fresh local produce will satisfy the most discerning of gourmets.
Kangaroo Island, a sanctuary for kangaroos and koalas
Discovered at the beginning of the 19th century by the British explorer Matthew Flinders , this island, 150 km long and 60 km wide, obviously received its name from the abundance of kangaroos that inhabited it – an abundance essential to the sailors of the time, who could thus stock up on fresh meat.
Today, priorities have changed and the kangaroos that inhabit the island are all protected , to the delight of visitors.
Kangaroo Island is also home to a robust population of Tammar wallabies, smaller cousins of the kangaroo and a species that has now almost completely disappeared from the continent.
These charming creatures are not the only stars of the island’s wildlife. Although deforestation has also taken its toll on Kangaroo Island, to create rich pastures, more than a third of the island’s surface area has retained its original natural vegetation , now preserved forever under the care of national parks and other reserves.
Off the mainland, Kangaroo Island has also been spared some of Australia’s biggest ecological problems: foxes and rabbits were never introduced here, so local wildlife has not suffered the ravages of their predation or competition. Scientists have chosen to take advantage of this unique situation to establish wild populations of koalas and platypuses alongside the island’s naturally occurring animals, such as echidnas, possums and monitor lizards.
Marine wildlife is not to be outdone: a colony of sea lions basks on the sandy shores of Seal Bay, penguins return to land by the dozen at nightfall, while sea lions and whales scour the surrounding waters.
In the sky, you might be lucky enough to see an osprey , a bird of prey native to rocky coasts and cliffs, or glossy black cockatoos , a rare and endangered species.
Wild landscapes bathed by the southern ocean
L’The environment that serves as the backdrop to this wildlife festival is also worth a look in itself: Kangaroo Island brings together landscapes of ebony cliffs where the Southern Ocean crashes in violent sprays of foam beneath the watchful and impassive silhouette of old lighthouses at Cape Borda and Cape Willoughby .
Pristine beaches with clear turquoise water at Stokes Bay and Vivonne Bay , rock balls sculpted by water and wind erosion and adorned with orange lichen at Remarkable Rocks in Flinders Chase National Park , and of course humped meadows covered in thick green grass in winter, dry and golden in summer.
A gourmet island of local products
QWhat does this fertile land produce? Kangaroo Island quickly built a reputation as a foodie’s paradise , mainly thanks to its honey , produced by Ligurian bees of Italian origin that now live nowhere else, its crayfish , lobsters and fresh fish , especially King George Whiting.
But also thanks to its sheep’s yoghurts and cheeses available straight from the factory at Island Pure Sheep Dairy, not to mention a selection of vineyards and fresh fruit and vegetables.
To burn off the calories so deliciously acquired by stuffing your belly with local products, do not hesitate to join in the sporting activities offered on the island : surfboard to go and tease the waves of Pennington Bay, sandboard to surf the sand dunes of Little Sahara, kayak expeditions around the island, quad tours in the surroundings of Vivonne Bay or even horse treks along the Harriet River and caving adventures in the caverns of Kelly Hills are all options likely to revive a little adrenaline.
Kangaroo Island: Practical Corner
- Reach Kangaroo Island by driving to Cape Jervis (from Adelaide, it’s an hour and a half drive for about 100 kilometres south), where you can board the Sealink ferry . The crossing takes just 45 minutes. The ferry operates daily from Cape Jervis. Plan to arrive at the ferry terminal half an hour before departure.
- You can also reach Kangaroo Island by air with Regional Express (Rex) airline . Rex flies from Adelaide Airport to Kingscote, the island’s ‘capital’. The flight takes just 35 minutes. Flight days and times vary depending on the season.
- Kangaroo Island is best visited from October to March , especially in December-January , when the weather is nice and temperatures are mild. Avoid the winter months: from May to September, the island becomes cold and rainy.
- Sealink, the ferry company, also offers a selection of organised tours to suit all budgets, over 1, 2 or 3 days, to explore the island’s must-see sites.
Our accommodation tips from low prices to favorites
A hotel with excellent value for money
The Fig Tree B&B
In addition to a hearty breakfast included in the price, this Bed & Breakfast located a few minutes walk from the beach offers a very warm welcome. Each of its rooms includes a dining area, a fridge, a bathroom and a terrace. The pretty garden is available to visitors as is the kitchen. A very pleasant, calm and green place. Learn more
Our favorite
The Lookout
A little corner of paradise for a most peaceful stay in this superb guest house surrounded by a superbly flowered garden. Inside, an elegant and comfortable room with a balcony offering a magnificent view of the ocean. Guests also have access to the fully equipped kitchen and enjoy the generosity of the hosts of these places. Learn more
Our choice of low-cost accommodation
Kangaroo Island Backpackers
This hostel is just minutes from the beach. It features private rooms and dorm beds, a shared kitchen and an outdoor lounge with barbecue facilities. For relaxation, head to the garden or games room. Read more
