Destination Guide

Kangaroo Island, Australia

To have a remarkable experience with Australia's natural beauty, Kangaroo Island is the ultimate destination. Kangaroo Island is a major tourist attraction for both domestic and international travellers. People come from all over the world to see the untouched beauty and Kangaroo Island wildlife, one of Australia's best preserved islands.

Take the ferry from the mainland over to Kangaroo Island and you'll get a glimpse of Australia as it once was. Separated from the mainland less than 10,000 years ago, Kangaroo Island has remained a safe haven for forests, vegetation and many of Australia's most beloved creatures. See Koalas in abundance and marvel at the uniqueness of Kangaroo Island's own Kangaroo. Kangaroo Island is a time traveller's dream vacation into Australia's natural history.

Getting in and around Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island Airport

It is possible to fly to Kangaroo Island. Regional Express and Air South both offer regular flights from Adelaide to Kingscote. The flights are about 30 minutes in length. Regional Express uses a small, 33-passenger pressurized aircraft while Air South uses an even smaller, 9-passenger unpressurized aircraft. The Kingscote Airport is located approximately 15 minutes outside of Kingscote and shuttle services to the city are available at the airport.

Kangaroo Island Transport

Most travellers get into Kangaroo Island by ferry. Sealink is the ferry operation company that operates out of Adelaide. The ferry leaves in the mornings around 9 am and makes a return trip in the evening. If you wish to take the ferry to Kangaroo Island, it is important that you book your ticket in advance.

Kangaroo Island Car Hire

Getting around Kangaroo Island is quite simple. Car hire is the main mode of transportation on Kangaroo Island. However, Kangaroo Island care hire is in high demand. Budget and Hertz are the only two car hire companies that operate on Kangaroo Island. They have offices in Kingscote and Penneshaw. Car hire on Kangaroo Island can be quite expensive as it's in high demand. Also, it's important to reserve your car ahead of time, especially if you're visiting Kangaroo Island on a holiday. Tours are also a great transportation option for those who want to see the island but don't have their own transportation.

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Kangaroo Island accommodation

There is enough to see on Kangaroo Island that you're going to want to stay a while. The island is small and doesn't have the selection of accommodation that you'd find in a large city. However, you should be able to find a Kangaroo Island hotel that fits your style and your budget.

Luxury
Mid-range
Budget
Backpackers
  • Timber Creek Lodge is a favourite among backpackers and it's centrally located among Kangaroo Island's best attractions.
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Things to do in Kangaroo Island

As you can imagine, things to do on Kangaroo Island focus on the incredible wildlife and natural landscape. However, there are other things to do for those who are interested in the social side of the history of Kangaroo Island. But for most Kangaroo Island tourists, the wilderness is enough to keep them entertained for quite a while.

  • Parndana Wildlife Park. At Parndana Wildlife Park, you can get up close and personal with kangaroos and wallabies. You can even have the unforgettable experience of feeding a kangaroo!
  • Kangaroo Island Sand-boarding. Get some thrills at the desert-like Little Sahara. These epic dunes are the best spot on the island for high-speed sand-boarding and tobogganing.
  • Murray Lagoon. Murray Lagoon is a beautiful oasis that features incredible Kangaroo Island bird life. It is located in Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park.
  • Cape Torrens. Cape Torrens was the site of one of the largest shipwrecks in the history of Kangaroo Island. It's now a very popular spot for scuba diving and known for being one of the most colourful dives in Kangaroo Island with some of the most exotic fish often being seen here.
  • Cape Willoughby. While there are several lighthouses on Kangaroo Island in an effort to prevent ships from wrecking along its shore, the lighthouse at Cape Willoughby was the first. Take a tour of this historic light station that has become a symbol of Kangaroo Island.
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    Day trips in and around Kangaroo Island

  • Kangaroo Island Marine Centre. The KI Marine Centre in Kingscote is a great day trip where you can see sea horses, penguins, and other sea life.
  • Seal Bay Conservation Park. At Seal Bay Conservation Park, visitors have the opportunity to see some of the world's most adored creatures in their natural habitat. Watch adorable seals as they bask in the sunlight.
  • Flinders Chase National Park. Flinders Chase National Park includes many of Kangaroo Island's amazing natural wonders such as Admiral's Arch and Remarkable Rocks. Several of Kangaroo Island's famous lighthouses can also be seen in Flinders Chase National Park.
  • Kelly Hill Caves and Conservation Park. The Kelly Hill Caves are a must-see on Kangaroo Island and an experience you won't soon forget. You can even experience a guided caving tour that requires a hard hat for crawling through caverns!
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