Kangaroo Island – an A to Z of things to do!

Kangaroo Island is one of South Australia’s most popular tourist attractions. Anyone that has visited will agree that not many places can outshine Kangaroo Island’s pristine beaches, native bushland and wildlife. Kangaroo Island’s food and beverages are outstanding, and the area is one of South Australia’s best locations for diving and snorkelling. Food, wine, nature, beach, adventure and exploring – Kangaroo Island does have it all!

A.  Admirals Arch

Admirals Arch is just one of Kangaroo Island’s 27 official geological monuments. It is a natural rock arch created during thousands of years of weathering and erosion. Once an ancient sea cave, you can still see the stalactites hanging from what remains of the cave’s roof.

View the arch with an 800-metre return walk via a boardwalk with some stairs involved.

Admirals Arch is a fabulous spot to view some of Kangaroo Island’s wildlife. New Zealand Fur Seals (also known as Long-Nosed Fur Seals) bask on the rocks or play in the rock pools. Furthermore, you may see whales migrating to South Australian waters to procreate and nurse their young from May and October.

B.  Beer Tasting at Kangaroo Island Brewery

Their beers are brewed on-site using water off the shed roof! Indoor and outdoor seating, KIB is a great spot to relax and enjoy local beers. If you are not a beer drinker, they also have a selection of local KI wines and ciders.

C.  Craft Cider

Kangaroo Island Cider is made from apples locally grown. The ‘cellar door’ is at the Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery, just up the road from the orchards. You can also purchase this award-winning cider at the Penneshaw Hotel, Ozone Hotel and Bella’s Pizza Bar & Cafe.

D.  Desert – Little Sahara

Explore the massive dunes of Little Sahara, Nature’s Playground. There are Fat Biking, Buggies and Sand-boarding options to keep everyone entertained..

E.  Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery

They are the only commercial Eucalyptus Oil distillery in South Australia producing 100% pure Australian Eucalyptus Essential Oil. The store sells eucalyptus products, emu oil, other native oils, such as lemon myrtle and bushcraft souvenirs. They also offer distillery tours and have a cafe and cellar door. Or why not bring your own and use the pet-friendly BBQ facilities and sheltered eating area. From where we sat enjoying our cider, we saw a couple of very cute kangaroos.

F.  Frenchman’s rock

Frenchman’s Rock is named because it was inscribed by Nicolas Baudin’s crew when the ship Le Geographe circumnavigated Kangaroo Island in January 1803. Many of the landmarks on KI that Baudin surveyed have kept their French names, including Cape de Couedic and Vivonne Bay.

The original rock was moved to Adelaide in 1917 to prevent the inscriptions from deteriorating further. Since then, just a short walk from the ferry terminal, a concrete replica sits at the original site.

G.  Gin

Visit Kangaroo Island Spirits (KIS) to sample gin, vodka and liquors. Grab a garden table in the shady yard and enjoy a tasting paddle or a cocktail and a bite to eat. You can also participate in a cocktail making class or blend your own gin!

H.  Hope Cottage Museum

Hope Cottage houses a delightful museum depicting the early life of Kangaroo Island settlers. One of three small cottages built from local stone in 1859, the museum represents life on the island from 1860. There are photographic displays, antique furniture, tractors and machinery, a communications room, laundry, shearing shed display, the history of sea and air travel to the island, and so much more.

I.  Independence Trail American River

A picturesque walking trail that meanders along the lagoon foreshore to Remembrance Reserve and on to Independence Point.

The trail begins at the boat ramp at American River and follows the coast along the edge of Pelican Lagoon. The track is marked with short blue posts and is a 7.1km return trip. It is an easy, flat walk, and there is a loop in the path at Remembrance Reserve if you don’t want to do the entire trek. Once you reach Independence Point, there is a picnic area, car park and monument to the schooner Independence.

J.  Join a tour

Many day and multi-day tours are on offer on Kangaroo Island, showcasing the island’s major attractions. With an easy online search, you will find “once-in-a-lifetime” wildlife experience, sightseeing tours, adventure and food and wine tours. Click here for the official Kangaroo Island Tourism Alliance tour page.

K.  Kingscote Historic Signs Trail

This trail is a walking tour of Kingscote’s historical buildings. It encompasses 25 historic buildings, including The Gallery, constructed in 1913 as a General Store, and the old stone jail and prison cells.

L.  Lavender Farm

Visit Emu Bay Lavender Farm to purchase a wide variety of lavender products, including oils, loose leaf tea, soaps, candles, and so much more. While you are there, enjoy brunch or lunch, coffee, tea, wine, beer or even a gin. The lavender scone is to die for! This scone is super big, light and fluffy, and served with lavender jelly!

M.  Markets

The Penneshaw Markets are held on the 1st Sunday of each month from October to April, and they are only a few minutes walk from the ferry terminal. The Kingscote Farmers & Artisan Markets are at the Kingscote Wharf on the 2nd and 4th Sunday. Check out the market’s Facebook pages for more information. Kingscote Farmers Markets and Penneshaw Market.

N.  National Parks

There are over 24 protected areas on Kangaroo Island. So if getting back to nature is “your thing”, Kangaroo Island with its spectacular landscapes, national parks, conservation parks, and wilderness protection areas is probably right up your alley! Click here for more information.

Remarkable Rocks, Flinder’s Chase National Park

O.  Oysters

Don’t visit Kangaroo Island without trying their delicious fresh oysters! The Oyster Farm Shop is in American River and features aquaculture and sustainable seafood products from the Kangaroo Island region. It is the perfect place to sit and enjoy oysters, abalini (baby abalone) and marron (freshwater crayfish) while you sip on a local beverage. Oyster Farm Tours are also available.

P.  Penneshaw Maritime & Folk Museum

Housed in what was once The Hog Bay School building, the Maritime and Folk Museum has three rooms dedicated to the inspiring history of Kangaroo Island, including education on a remote island, maritime history such as sealing and whaling, and the island life of settlers in isolation.

Q.  Quirky facts about Kangaroo Island

The town of American River is on a bay, not a river.

Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third-largest island.

At 4.405 square kilometres, it is seven times the size of Singapore.

Singapore has a population of 5.6 million, while kangaroo Island has a population on 5000!

Kangaroo Island is only 150km long and 55km wide at its widest.

Because Kangaroo Island has been separated from the mainland for a long time, the island has dozens of species not found anywhere else in Australia.

The Kangaroos on KI are slightly different species from the mainland ones.

Since written records began in 1847, there have been more than 80 shipwrecks off Kangaroo Island.

R.  Rebuild Independence Project

Near the American River wharf, you will find a group of Kangaroo Island volunteers rebuilding the first sailing vessel ever built in South Australia. Captain Pendleton, who arrived in 1803 to hunt seals, constructed the 45ft Schooner called “Independence” at American River. It is free to visit and have a look as it slowly comes back to life!

S.  Sculpture Trail

The Sculpture Trail is just a short walk from the Penneshaw Ferry Terminal and is free! The trail is 1.5 km long and meanders through dunes, up and down steps and over a swing bridge. The track has lookouts and seating, and of course, sculptures. There is a broad range of sculptures made from reclaimed objects, natural materials and materials that are “at one” with the site.

T.  Take a walk

As well as the trails and tracks already mentioned, there is an abundance of walking trails across Kangaroo Island. Take your pick – hiking in the forest or climbing stairs to a lookout; historic trails and scenic walks; there is even a five-day wilderness trail!

Here are just a few more, but click here for more!

Prospect Hill Lookout

Climb the steps to the lookout for a spectacular view. Interpretive signs at the top depict the area’s history, geography, flora, and fauna. How many steps? Well, when I did it, I believed there were 250 steps. I have since read many differing accounts, including that there are 500 or 350 steps. So If you do this walk, please count the steps and let me know! 

Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail

This trail meanders along the spectacular coastline of southwest Kangaroo Island. The track opened in 2016 and has campsites along the way. Read more about it here.

Fireball Bates Walking Trail

This trail begins at the Penneshaw Visitor Centre and loops down near the ferry and back again. It is an easy walk of 3 km, and “Fireball Bates”, aka George Bates, one of Kangaroo Island’s first settlers, will tell you all about the town with the help of interpretive signage. You will even see Fireball Bates’ house!

U. Uncork the wine

Yes, kangaroo Island is another one of South Australia’s exceptional wine regions. During our visit, we enjoyed wine tasting at five wineries. The wines are first-rate, and some of the cellar doors offer meals or tasting platters. Read about Kangaroo Wine Tasting here.

V.  Vivonne Bay

Vivonne Bay once voted Australia’s best beach, is a six-kilometre-long U-shaped bay. It is located on the south coast of Kangaroo Island overlooking the Southern Ocean, has clear water, soft white sand and is a popular surf beach.

W.  Wildlife

There is a great diversity of wildlife on Kangaroo Island and many species you can only see on Kangaroo Island. When we visited earlier this year, we saw goannas, kangaroos, a possum, and many bird species, including pelicans, a spoonbill, and birds of prey. We also saw the seals at Admirals Arch and also a couple of them sleeping at the pier in Kingscote.

There are many opportunities to see wildlife, from visiting a wildlife park, the Penguin Centre at Penneshaw, or visiting Seal Bay. There are also tours available such as the Whale Watching and Dolphin Tours or the Wildlife Conservation Tour.

X.  eXplore the capes

Cape Borda Lightstation

Cape Borda Lightstation, located on the northwestern corner of Kangaroo Island, is home to the distinctive square Cape Borda lighthouse. The lighthouse, erected in 1858, sits on cliffs overlooking Investigator Strait. 

Take a self-guided tour around the Lightstation Settlement. The informative signage depicts the living conditions and harsh lifestyle of the lighthouse keeper and families. Book your self a guided tour online before you go.

Cape Willoughby Lightstation Heritage Walk

Cape Willoughby, located at the easternmost point of Kangaroo Island, is the site of the first lighthouse to be built in South Australia in 1852. It stands 27 metres high and has 102 steps to the lookout tower, with incredible views.

The 1.9km walk begins from the visitor centre beside the lighthouse. The self-guided walking trail bestows greater insight into the lives of the early lighthouse keepers and the construction of the lightstation.

Cape Gantheaume

Cape Gantheaume is on the south coast of Kangaroo Island and encompasses a vast area of wilderness, a large lagoon and stunning coastal scenery. If you are a keen hiker, you may want to do the Cape Gantheaume Coastal Trek. It is a two-day walk (one way).

Y.  Yachts

As we are sailors and once had our yacht in Adelaide, we have sailed to Kangaroo Island many times. There are many good anchorages, some in remote areas with little to do on land (Snug Cove) and others only a short walk from shops and activities such as wine tasting (Bay of Shoals). Click here for a guide to Kangaroo Islands anchorages.

Z.  Zip around in an E-Vehicle

As part of the Kangaroo Island Airport Visible Solar Project (2013), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are available for hire on the Island. To download the KI-Council-Solar-Brochure click here.

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