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Kangaroo Island
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
city · AU

Kangaroo Island

Recommended stay: 3 days
Getting around: Kangaroo Island is reached either by car ferry from Cape Jervis (about 45 minutes' drive south of Adelaide, then a 45-minute crossing to Penneshaw) or by direct flight to Kingscote. Once on the island, a hire car is essential — distances between the main attractions (Flinders Chase National Park, Seal Bay, Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch) are large, roads are often unsealed, and there's no public transport network to speak of.
Hours: Seal Bay's guided beach tours to see the sea lion colony run several times daily and require a booking, since unguided access to the colony beach is restricted; Flinders Chase National Park (home to Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch) is open daily during daylight hours and is a considerable drive from the ferry terminal, so plan a full day for that side of the island.

Kangaroo Island is Australia's third-largest island and one of the best wildlife-watching destinations in the country, largely because it has no foxes and only a light introduced-predator history, so native species that are rare or wary on the mainland are commonly seen here in the open. Seal Bay's Australian sea lion colony (one of the largest in the country, viewable at close range on guided beach walks) and wild kangaroos, koalas, echidnas and abundant birdlife make wildlife-spotting here far less effort than almost anywhere else in Australia.

The island's western end, Flinders Chase National Park, holds its most photographed scenery: Remarkable Rocks, a cluster of wind-and-sea-sculpted granite boulders on a headland, and Admirals Arch, a natural rock arch with a resident New Zealand fur seal colony below it. Both are a substantial drive from the ferry terminal at Penneshaw, which is part of why two to three days rather than a rushed day trip suits the island much better.

Kangaroo Island was badly burned in the 2019-20 bushfires, which destroyed roughly half of Flinders Chase and killed a significant share of the island's koala population — it has recovered well since, with regrowth visible across the park and wildlife numbers rebuilding, but it's worth knowing the landscape you're seeing is still in recovery. The island also has a small but well-regarded food and wine scene (honey, marron, gin, boutique wine) that's grown alongside the tourism industry.

Kangaroo Island FAQs

How many days do you need on Kangaroo Island?

Two to three days — the island's main attractions (Flinders Chase, Seal Bay, Remarkable Rocks) are spread far apart, so rushing it in a single day means a lot of driving and little time at each stop.

Do I need a car on Kangaroo Island?

Yes, essentially — there's no public transport network, and distances between attractions are large with some unsealed roads.

Is Kangaroo Island still worth visiting after the 2019-20 bushfires?

Yes, it's recovered well with visible regrowth and rebuilding wildlife numbers, though it's worth knowing the landscape is still in recovery rather than untouched.

Do I need to book to see the sea lions at Seal Bay?

Yes, guided beach tours are required since unguided access to the colony beach is restricted — book ahead, especially in peak season.

How do I get to Kangaroo Island from Adelaide?

Either drive to Cape Jervis for the car ferry to Penneshaw (about 45 minutes each way plus the crossing) or fly directly to Kingscote.

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