Hop On Over To Kangaroo Island
My sister and I visited Kangaroo Island or otherwise known as K.I. back in January 2018 as part of our road trip along the coast from Adelaide to Sydney.
It is incredible. Natural is one word I would use. Stunning is another. Secluded also. The absolutely beautiful beaches are one of the main attractions of the island. We were fortunate to get there prior to the tragic bushfires that raged through the island in January 2020.
Kangaroo Island is situated off the South Australia coast. We stayed for five days which is a sufficient amount of time. The island is 150km from east to west and has four main towns; Kingscote, Penneshaw, Parndana and American River.
You can hire a car and stay in fancy accommodation, however, we choose to take our own car across on the ferry and tented it which made our trip very economical and I am sure we had just as much fun for less $$. We were in my Subaru but at some points, during the trip, we were wishing we had a 4WD as not many of the roads are sealed and they can be awfully rough. Also expect your car to be covered in dust, inside and out by the time you leave the island.
The Sealink ferry leaves from Cape Jervis and arrives at Penneshaw 45 minutes later. When we went the ferry ride was around $120 either way. When I checked today you are looking at paying prices more around the $200 mark, though they do have 3 kids go free offer at the moment for travel by the end of the year. Use code KIDSGOFREE to save some $$.
When booking you do book a specific departure time however we arrived earlier than our scheduled time and we were fortunate they let us on the earlier ferry, I don’t think they are too strict about it. The water between the mainland and island can be rough so remember your Travel Calm tablets. Make sure to get outside as well as you may be lucky enough to see a dolphin or two.
We drove off the ferry and into Penneshaw (one of the places where you will be able to get petrol if you need it) and our first stop was to Kangaroo Island Visitor Information Centre to pick up brochures and ask our questions on accommodation and attractions. We went over fairly unplanned with just a rough outline so getting locals input always helps.
Then we set off around the island in a clockwise direction. Our itinerary went something like this;
We headed straight out to Willoughby to see South Australia’s first lighthouse in Cape Willoughby Conservation Park
Then checked out American River - known locally as The River, popped in to get our feet wet. Then Pelican Lagoon - which has amazing waters also
Dropped into Pennington Bay - the beach is famous for surfing
Headed inland to visit Clifford’s Honey Farm - a great place to see and learn all about the bees. Lots of interesting information and explanations to read, try the homemade honey ice cream, and check out the bee crafts. Make sure to buy some honey to bring back with you.
Seal Bay Conservation Park - fascinating to see (and hear) a wild seal colony in the flesh. Choose between a guided beach walk or take the boardwalk to see the Australian sea lions from a distance. The males can weigh up to 350kgs so you won’t miss them. Spend time watching the play, good fun.
Raptor Domain - a wildlife park with educational shows on the Birds of Prey
Little Sahara - check out the massive white sand dunes to climb. You can hire sandboards if that is your thing
Make sure to visit Vivonne Bay which has been voted one of the best beaches in Australia. It has the most incredible water and a long curved sandy beach as well as a jetty too. Vivonne Bay store has petrol so top up here.
We stayed at Karatta before heading to the Remarkable Rocks, Wyndham in Flinders Chase National Park in the morning - you have to drop in. It is a bit of a walk from the carpark but the sight is incredible. Many photo opportunities of the granite boulders sitting on the coast
If you are into hiking, there are plenty of Wilderness Trails in Flinders Chase National Park including a 4.5km Platypus Waterholes Walk, approximately a two hour return hike, a 9km Black Swamp Hike, taking about three hours or an 11km Rocky River Hike which will take approximately 4.5 hours
Admirals Arch - this is a natural rock archway where the long-nosed fur seals like to hang out, basking on the rocks
We stayed at the Western KI Caravan Park for only $30 a night. It has a Koala Walk Walking Trail, as well as Becky’s Lagoon Birds and Wildlife Walk. You must make sure to cross the road to catch the sunset from the paddock. Kangaroos are plenty at this time of the afternoon
We wanted to go out to West Bay but the road was far to rough so had to turn back
Drove through Middle River to reach Stokes Bay in the north of the island - there is Snelling Beach too. Stokes Bay beach is hidden behind a group of limestone boulders. Check out the tide times before going to make sure you can get there and back. Worth the visit again for the crystal clear waters and huge cliffs
Drove out to Cape Cassini
Went up to the stunning Emu Bay - they have the lavender farm there, another great photo opp. We stayed at Discovery Lagoon Caravan & Camping Grounds
Then around to Kingscote which is the largest town on K.I - another place to get your petrol. Visit the KI Brewery to test out their craft beer and views or watch the pelican feeding at 5pm each day at Kingscote Wharf
Brown Beach is a good area to stay for your last night on the island
Visit Kangaroo Head before departing the island and catching the ferry back to the mainland
There is plenty on offer on KI that we never got a chance to experience such as quad bike tours, kayaking, cruises, snorkelling, fishing, visiting wineries and much more. You do not necessarily have to do a tonne of research before getting there as it is easy enough to see the main attractions and get a feel for the island as you go. @authentickangarooisland on Instagram is a great starting point and gives plenty of inspiration for everyone to go. Tag your photos with #authenticKI to be featured on their social channels and website.
My sister and I loved visiting Kangaroo Island. The beach walks and swims are a huge drawcard, as well as the exceptional sunrises and sunsets. This is definitely not a holiday place you will want to sleep in at or you will miss out. In five days we were able to spend ample time in each place, relax and enjoy.
Expect to see wildlife getting about like koalas, wallabies, echidnas and kangaroos and a huge array of birdlife. It is a place we definitely recommend adding to your South Australian itinerary. We visited during January which at the time was a very hot summer of 41 degrees. We left with nothing but good memories and sunburn.
Have you been to Kangaroo Island? What did you love the most? We would love it if you joined the conversation and left a comment below.
