Things to do in  Kangaroo Island

With its unmistakably Aussie name, it’s little surprise that Kangaroo Island is one of the best places to spot native Australian wildlife. Australia's third-largest island, this unspoiled haven is a trove of natural wonders, from red rock cliffs to sandy beaches, sweeping dunes, and wild bushlands.

On the southwestern tip of Kangaroo Island, Admirals Arch offers one of the island’s most photo-worthy views. Framed by the jagged arch of an ancient cave—carved out of the sea cliffs by centuries of pummeling surf—the vast swaths of blue ocean and cloud-free skies are even more magical at sunset.

Kangaroos might be the star of the show on Kangaroo Island, but the Aussie icons aren’t the only animals to call the island home. At Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, you’ll find more than 600 animals and 150 different species, including native Australian creatures such as koalas, wallabies, echidnas, cassowaries, and little penguins.

Jutting out into the ocean at the southwestern tip of Kangaroo Island, the windswept Cape du Couedic is among the many highlights of the Flinders Chase National Park. The rocky headland is famous for its landmark Cape Du Couedic Lighthouse, its colony of fur seals, and the natural wonder of Admirals Arch.

Kangaroos aren’t the only Aussie creatures that call Kangaroo Island home—you’ll also find one of the largest sea lion colonies in the world here. Seal Bay Conservation Park is dedicated to protecting and preserving the endangered animals, and gives you the chance to admire wild sea lions in their natural environment.

With wind-sculpted coastal cliffs, remote bushland trails, historic lighthouses, and woodlands teeming with wildlife, Flinders Chase National Park is one of Australia’s most diverse wildernesses. Blanketing the western tip of Kangaroo Island, the park is ideal for hiking, animal-spotting, and outdoor activities.

Eucalyptus oil was once Australia’s first global export but has seen its industry decline worldwide. On Kangaroo Island, however, South Australia’s only eucalyptus distillers still operate out in the bush. With rusting relics scattered about the property and eccentric tastes, the family-run Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery still churns out the sweet-smelling elixir.

On the south coast of Kangaroo Island, the Remarkable Rocks are one of the island’s most photographed landmarks. A geological wonder dating back some 500 million years, the series of gigantic sea-weathered granite rocks—perched on the clifftops against a backdrop of the Southern Ocean—make for a dramatic sight.

As the island’s largest town and main commercial hub, Kingscote is a historic gateway to Kangaroo Island. Perched on the northeast coast, it’s a lively town with a rich history—founded in 1836, it was the first European settlement in South Australia—and it's a starting point for many island tours, some specializing in food and wine.

The wildlife of Kangaroo Island isn’t limited to kangaroos and koalas—Clifford’s Honey Farm affords a completely different kind of animal experience. The family-run farm has been producing homemade honey since 1973, and their hives of rare pure-strain Ligurian bees create a tantalizingly sweet honey that has become a staple of Kangaroo Island.

Vast wind-sculpted sand dunes stretch out across the horizon just north of Vivonne Bay on the south coast of Kangaroo Island. Nicknamed “Little Sahara,” the dunes tower up to 250 feet (76 meters) high, affording magnificent views across the Great Australian Bight and serving as a natural playground for sandboarding and tobogganing.

Accessible by a dirt road off of Hog’s Bay Road on Kangaroo Island’s southeast coast, remote Pennington Bay is blissfully free of development (there is one lone vacation rental). The crescent-shaped beach is popular among surfers due to consistent swells, while the bay is known for fishing and whale and dolphin spotting.

When it comes to Kangaroo Island beaches, many visitors head for the South Coast and never look back. One hour west of Kingscote, however, Stokes Bay is a North Coast outpost whose rugged beauty rivals any spots in the south. There's romance to this remote coastline, where a small campground and a handful of holiday homes are the only developments.

Powder-soft white sands, gleaming turquoise waters, and rippling waves make Vivonne Bay one of the photographed spots of Kangaroo Island. Throw in some epic sand dunes, magnificent sunsets, and wildlife-watching opportunities, and it’s easy to see how this was once voted Australia’s Best Beach.

With over 245 acres (100 hectares) of coastal trails, bushlands, and eucalyptus forests to explore, Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places on Kangaroo Island to spot native Australian wildlife. Koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and echidnas are among the possible sightings, all free-roaming within the reserve’s natural habitats.