Travel Tips for Kangaroo Island South Australia
Guide to Exploring Native Australian Wildlife Haven near Adelaide
Oct 3, 2008
Hanson Bay Sanctuary, on the south coast of Kangaroo Island, is a great place to start exploring and set out on any wildlife adventure. A walking trail passes through a eucalyptus forest where, more often than not, koalas can be spotted amidst the trees.
Flinders Chase National Park
Situated in the west of Kangaroo Island, this is one of South Australia's most important national parks and home to a staggering variety of wildlife. From the visitor centre there are several walking trails available, including the Platypus Waterholes Walk and the Rocky River hike. There's a good chance of seeing one of the island's most famous inhabitants around here too. Some of the kangaroos are so tame that they approach people, especially those using the barbecue facilities nearby.
- The best time to see Kangaroos and Wallabies is in the evening or after dark. Especially when camping, this is when you'll appreciate just how many of these creatures there are on the island.
Rocky River Hike
This walking trail follows the Rocky River, its water stained brown by the tea trees that surround it. The scenery is wild and beautiful and the forests, here and in the rest of Flinders Chase NP, are excellent places to spot Tammar Wallabies, Goannas, and Echidnas - like hedgehogs with their prickly spikes. Unusually for a mammal, the echidna lays eggs. They move extremely slowly and are well camouflaged but can be identified by their distinctive blond spikes.
Admirals ArchA short drive from the visitor centre is Cape du Couedic. From the car park, a boardwalk leads down to Admirals Arch - a natural arch in the cliff, sculpted by pounding waves. Continue along the boardwalk and end up inside the cave itself, home to a large colony of New Zealand Fur Seals.
Remarkable RocksAnother natural phenomenon of Flinders Chase NP, the Remarkable Rocks are 2km east of Admirals Arch. These huge, granite boulders appear on the cliff top and are so dramatically shaped that it's easy to see where the name came from. The red and orange colours of the rocks make great photography subjects, especially with the fierce ocean directly behind.
Seal Bay Conservation Park
A rare chance to see Australian Sea Lions in the wild and on a beautiful, remote stretch of beach as well. Seal Bay is home to the country's third largest colony of sea lions. Watch these loveable creatures surf the waves and frolic in the ocean, then sunbathe on the beach to dry off. It's possible to walk among the sea lions on the sand and study the way they interact with one another.
- Access to the sea lion colony and beach is by guided tour only, from the Seal Bay Visitor Centre.
Penneshaw Penguin Centre
At night, colonies of nesting penguins can be seen in several locations across Kangaroo Island. One of the best, and most reliable, is at the Penneshaw Penguin Centre where guides take small groups down to the shore.
- Avoid flash photography as penguins are extremely sensitive to bright light.
Staying on Kangaroo Island
One of the best ways to explore the island is to join a tour and there are several operators based in Adelaide who offer one, two or three day excursions. Campwild do a three day, two night itinerary that features many of the highlights mentioned above, as well as the possibility of quad biking and sand boarding on Little Sahara.
Getting There
Sealink operates ferries between Cape Jervis on the mainland, and Kangaroo Island. The crossing time is roughly 45 minutes. Cape Jervis is 110km from Adelaide.
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