Kangaroo Island offers an abundance of ‘up close and personal’ wildlife encounters that will bring out the child in us all.
Just 13 kilometres off the coast of South Australia, Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third largest island and has a population of around 4000. Named in 1802 by English explorer Matthew Flinders and his French counterpart, Nicolas Baudin, the moniker ‘Kangaroo Island’ was a show of appreciation for the abundant meat supply provided by the numerous local animals.
Kangaroo Island is often referred to as a ‘zoo without fences.’ Separated from the mainland, the island’s native bushland remains largely unspoilt and more than one third of the island is protected in conservation parks. Large tracts of wilderness, rugged coastline, eucalypt forest, bush, rivers, creeks and wetlands make it a haven for bird, plant and animal life.
Discover hidden beaches, dozing koalas, sea-lions basking on beaches, and plenty of other critters including, of course, kangaroos! Kids can get a natural workout by poking around historical ruins, clambering over rocky cliffs, and sandboarding down dunes. KI is also well-known for its local produce, including wine and honey.
Wildlife on Kangaroo Island, SA
There are no zoos on Kangaroo Island, but there are plenty of wildlife sanctuaries to choose from. Keep an eye out for sleepy koalas curled up in the treetops, as well as other rare Aussie animals like echidnas. At dawn and dusk, look out for brushtail possums, bats, grazing kangaroos, and wallabies.
Related to the Western Grey, Kangaroo Island kangaroos are smaller, darker and have thicker fur. Along with the Tammar wallaby – now extinct in mainland south-eastern Australia – you’re sure to see them in large numbers all over the island.
Be prepared to stop to let a goanna or kangaroo cross the road, identify one of the island’s many native wildflowers, or grab your binoculars to identify a bird – over 250 species call Kangaroo Island home, including blue wrens, white-browed scrubwrens and scarlet robins.
14 amazing things to do on Kangaroo Island with kids
There’s so much for families to do on KI! Kids will love collecting stamps on their Kangaroo Island Parks Passport as they explore the island, so be sure to pick one up from Cape Willoughby Lighthouse, Seal Bay Conservation Park, Flinders Chase National Park, Kelly Hill Caves or the Kingscote NPWS Office.
1. Spot sea lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park
Take a guided beach walk amongst a colony of endangered Australian sea lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park. Contrary to what the name suggests, it’s actually all about sea lions, and with a population of approximately 700, this is the third largest colony in Australia (and the most accessible).
The best way to get up close to these creatures is to join a guided tour, which will take you down to the beach via a boardwalk. Here the whole family can learn more about the sea lions who are resting on land after a few days at sea and watch delighted as they lazily stretch, slumber and scratch atop a thick bed of seaweed. Mothers and their chocolate-brown pups lollop across the sand; unlike seals, they have large front flippers and hind flippers that allow them to walk on land.
2. Hunt down KI's secret beaches
The scenic North Coast has some of the best beaches around, many of them hidden away. Walk through a rock passageway to find one of Kangaroo Island’s best kept secrets, the hidden beach of Stokes Bay. A natural tunnel through the rocks comes out onto a long, sandy white beach with an enclosed rock pool, making it ideal for children.
Another stunning beach is the Western River Cove, a picturesque sandy beach in a pastoral valley. You can access this hidden spot via a footbridge along the riverbank.
3. False Cape Wines cellar door
For a day the whole family will love, make sure you include False Cape Wines in your itinerary – it has a playground with a cubby house and slippery dip to keep littlies entertained while parents taste what’s on offer from the cellar door.
4. Flinders Chase National Park
Kangaroo Island’s natural beauty shines at Flinders Chase National Park on the south-western edge of the island. Landmarks to discover include Remarkable Rocks – standing in the buffeting wind with the sea raging 75 metres below, you can see how these granite slabs have been weathered into weird and wonderful shapes over the last 500 million years.
A short drive away is Admiral’s Arch, a natural archway shaped by the pounding waves of the Southern Ocean. The flat rocks below are home to a large breeding colony of long-nosed fur seals. A viewing platform allows fantastic views of the seals basking in the sun or dipping into the ocean swell.
Although the Flinders Chase National Park was severely affected by the bushfires of 2019-20, including the destruction of the visitor centre, the park’s Cape du Couedic Lighthouse, Lighthouse Keepers Cottages and Cape Borda Lightstation were saved.
5. Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Excited by the prospect of koala sightings? Stop off at the Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary for one of several fantastic tours. You can take the Koala Walk to see sleepy koalas in their natural environment, along with the chance to spot wallabies, kangaroos, echidnas, and birdlife in the area.
For a deeper dive into KI’s ecosystem, the 90-minute Bush Fire Ecology Tour is a great way to understand how the 2019-20 bushfires affected the island (and how the flora and fauna naturally adapt). As soon as the sun goes down, the guides at the Hanson Bay Koala sanctuary take out their torches and lead guests on a 90-minute sunset tour to hunt for nocturnal animals. Spotting koalas, bats, ring-tailed possums and more is a thrilling experience for the whole family.
6. Vivonne Bay
Kangaroo Island is spoilt for picturesque beaches, but Vivonne Bay is one of its best in the world. Like everything else in KI, its size, beauty, and serenity is impressive, with 6 kilometres of white sand and stunning clear blue water.
Although it is a tiny seaside town with just one store (also a café), there are self-contained holiday homes available in the area. Don’t miss the world-famous whiting burger at the Vivonne Bay General Store!
7. Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park
Hold a koala and hand feed kangaroos at KI Wildlife Park. Two daily koala presentations give kids the chance to learn all about these cuddly creatures before having their photo taken with one! Other residents available for meet-and-greets include marmosets, servals and snakes. Pick up a bag of food (or three) to feed the resident kangaroos and wallabies, and there’s a lovely picnic area to enjoy when you need a break from the action.
8. Kangaroo Island honey tours
Kangaroo Island has been a ‘bee sanctuary’ since 1885 and produces some of the rarest honey in the world. Intrigued? Learn more on a beekeeping experience tour at Kangaroo Island Living Honey, a family-owned and operated bee farm producing delicious organic honey products. If you’re not so keen to get up close to the insects themselves, the Farm Gate Tour is a great way to learn about the honey production process.
Another ‘buzzing’ attraction is the guided tour at Clifford’s Honey Farm which includes their famous homemade honey ice-cream. The farm gate shop is stacked with delicious honey-based sauces and marinades (as well as more-ish honey popcorn).
9. Little penguins at Penneshaw Penguin Centre
View a colony of the world’s smallest penguins at Penneshaw Penguin Centre. Book a tour and follow rangers to watch little penguins scrambling up to their nests in the rocks in the soft glow of bird-friendly spotlights.
10. Birds of Prey show at Raptor Domain
A Kangaroo Island must-see is the birds of prey free-flight show at Raptor Domain. The animal sanctuary is home to birds of prey including owls, kookaburras, wedge-tailed eagles, falcons, cockatoos and more – and after each show, there’s even the chance to meet and hold them! The Seal Bay park also offers a 1pm show featuring reptiles and creepy-crawlies.
11. Swim with dolphins on an ocean safari
Swimming alongside playful dolphins and seals has to be one of the most soul enriching experiences on the planet – and it makes for great family dinner conversation for years to come. KI Marine Adventures offers the experience in crystal clear waters off Kangaroo Island. If you’d rather stay dry, then book the 75-minute coastal cruise and soak it all in from the comfort of the boat.
12. Go sandboarding on KI's 'Little Sahara'
Go sandboarding or tobogganing on a 2km-long stretch of sand dunes with Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action. Older kids will also enjoy sandboarding the dunes of the Little Sahara.
13. Rob's Shearing and Sheepdogs tour
See working dogs in action at Rob’s Shearing and Sheepdogs near Penneshaw. Enjoy some friendly banter with Rob and his kelpies during this unique journey into a piece of authentic Aussie culture. Tours by appointment only.
14. Kangaroo Island Sculpture Trail
Discover fascinating artwork while getting some exercise on the 1.5km-long Kangaroo Island Sculpture Trail in Penneshaw. Kids can complete the fun Sculpture Trail Treasure Hunt which includes ten trivia questions. The free trail starts on Frenchman’s Terrace just five minutes’ walk from the ferry terminal.
Kangaroo Island family accommodation
Kangaroo Island accommodation has dramatically changed over the past decade. Today, you will find a range of choices. Each region and town is unique, with options including holiday houses, self-contained units, cabins, hotels, motels, B&Bs and holiday parks.
Hotels on Kangaroo Island
Family-friendly options include the 4-star Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge at American River Bay and the Kangaroo Island Seaside Inn at Nepean Bay, ten minutes’ walk from Kingscote.
Hanson Bay cabins
Kangaroo Island is known for its untouched wilderness and these cabins make the most of it. Located at Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, there are two self-contained cabins just 100m from a safe swimming beach at Hanson Bay. Each has one bedroom with a full kitchen (including dishwasher and microwave), reliable WiFi and a slow-combustion wood fire.
You can take the Koala Walk to see koalas in their natural environment, and there are plenty of wallabies, kangaroos, bats, echidnas, and birdlife in the area. Guided night tours let you check out the many animals that party when others sleep!
Flinders Chase National Park cottages
The National Park is home to several heritage cottages, including the air-conditioned Mays Homestead (sleeps up to four guests) and Postmans Cottage (sleeps two, with accessible features). The cottages can be booked together to accommodate larger families. Part of the original Rocky River Homestead precinct, both were lovingly restored following the 2019-20 bushfires.
Book a Kangaroo Island walking tour (ages 12 and up) for the exclusive chance to stay in one of the original Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottages on KI. Located next to the Cape du Couedic lighthouse in Flinders Chase National Park, the heritage cottages are beautifully renovated.
Top tips for visiting Kangaroo Island
Best time to visit
School holidays and summer are the busy times on Kangaroo Island. Winds die down just after Easter but temperatures stay high, making May the perfect time to visit. You won’t be able to see everything in one day – we recommend at least three, though six days to a week is best if you want to do everything the island has to offer.
How to get there
From Adelaide, Kangaroo Island is a two-hour drive plus a 45-minute SeaLink ferry from Cape Jervis. Qantas also flies from Adelaide to Kingscote Airport on KI in 30 minutes, but tickets are expensive and the ferry is far more economical.
How to get around
Kangaroo Island is surprisingly large, at 155 kilometres long and up to 55 kilometres wide. There is no public transport, so it’s worth hiring a car to explore the island at your leisure. Many roads are unsealed and you’ll need to watch out for wildlife, so expect to drive more slowly than usual, especially after dark.
Hybrid electric vehicles can be picked up at Budget Car Rental at the ferry terminal, and the island has a handful of EV charge points and petrol stations. You can also book a guided tour to see the island’s highlights.
Phone and internet
There is limited mobile reception across most of Kangaroo Island. Telstra Next Generation coverage is good, but other carriers have spotty reception, with limited Optus, Vodafone and Telstra GSM coverage between Kingscote to Penneshaw. Many accomodation providers do offer WiFi.
Shopping & amenities
Stores are limited on Kangaroo Island, so aim to buy groceries, nappies, alcohol and similar on the mainland. If you can’t, stock up in Kingscote or Penneshaw before continuing on to more remote spots.
More information
Content contributors: Angela Saurine, Dan Campbell, Charlotte Francis, Jennie
Main image: Beach fun at Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island. South Australian Tourism Commission-Adam Bruzzone
