kangaroo island backpacker tour

Kangaroo Island Itinerary (+ Best Things to Do & Travel Guide)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: April 24, 2024

Are you planning to visit Kangaroo Island in Australia and wondering what there is to see and do there? Or maybe you’re looking for a sample Kangaroo Island itinerary that brings you to all the best places on the island? This article should answer all your questions. Take a look!

I had heard so many great things about Kangaroo Island in Southern Australia, so it was one of the must-see places for me when preparing our Australia trip itinerary . We spent four days on Kangaroo Island with kids and it didn’t disappoint. Kangaroo Island has all the ingredients for a perfect family trip: beautiful nature, lots of wildlife, and plenty of space for kids to play and explore.

Kangaroo Island is not a place most people choose to visit if they only have a few weeks in Australia. However, if you can, add it to your Australia trip itinerary, even if only for a day or two. Kangaroo Island is one of the most authentic places you can visit in Australia. If you love pristine untouched nature and wildlife, you’ll love it here!

This Kangaroo Island guide gives you a short overview of the best things to do on Kangaroo Island , our detailed 4-day Kangaroo Island itinerary, and accommodation advice.

Here you can find more information about planning a trip to Australia: where to start, when to go, what to see . Here you can read more about traveling to Australia with kids .

How Long to Spend on Kangaroo Island

There is so much to see on Kangaroo Island that you could easily spend a week here and not get bored. Visiting for 2 – 3 days will allow you to see the main highlights of the island. If you stay for 4 – 5 days, you will be able to visit all the best places and some lesser-known attractions, as well as take the time to see some wildlife.

TIP: Even if you only have just one day, you can visit Kangaroo Island and see the main highlights. In that case, going with an organized day tour is probably better. Not only will you save a lot of money for the ferry, but you will also not have to worry about the practical side of planning the trip and making sure that you do indeed see all the best places in just one day.

Our experience: We had 4 days on Kangaroo Island and covered pretty much all the best places that we had on our list. Below, you can find our detailed itinerary for Kangaroo Island.

Because we visited with young kids, we traveled slower. We chose to explore fewer places rather than try to see everything – that’s just the small price you have to pay when traveling with young kids.

If you visit Kangaroo Island without children, in principle, you can see a lot more in the same period of time than we did. Or, if you travel really fast, you can probably cover our itinerary and see most of the best places on Kangaroo Island in two or three days.

Top Places to See & Things to Do on Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island has a lot to offer for young and old. Since we only had a few days on the island and we were visiting with three young kids (3, 3, and 5 at that time), we obviously couldn’t see and do everything.

However, for the sake of providing you with the most complete guide for visiting Kangaroo Island, I created a list containing all the best places to see on Kangaroo Island .

This list covers all the places which we visited during our trip to Kangaroo Island (and which you’ll find mentioned in our itinerary below). In addition, it also contains some other places that are well worth a visit, but for which we didn’t have the time. I did a lot of research before our trip and all these places are well worth a visit on Kangaroo Island. Take a look!

Remarkable Rocks

Admirals arch, cape du couedic lighthouse.

• Seal Bay Conservation Park

Little Sahara

Vivonne bay.

• Kelly Hill Caves

Prospect Hill

• The lighthouses of Kangaroo Island: Cape Borda, Cape Willoughby

Kingscote Pelicans

• The colorful cliffs of Red Banks
• Raptor Domain
• Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park
• Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery
• Clifford’s Honey Farm

In addition, there are some fun tours as well. Here are some of the most popular options:

• Dolphin, Seal, and Snorkeling Tour (from Penneshaw),
• Ocean Safari: Coastlines, Dolphins & Seals (from Penneshaw),
• ATV Quad Tour (Vivonne Bay).

Kangaroo Island Itinerary

As already mentioned, we visited Kangaroo Island with kids. Young kids. So our itinerary is quite easy-going with lots of relaxing time to explore and enjoy the area.

If you are short on time, you can probably see all the same places in three, or maybe even two days. Take a look at how we planned our time.

Day 1: Fleurieu Peninsula. Cape Jervis – Kangaroo Island. Prospect Hill. Seal Bay.

Fleurieu peninsula.

In the morning, we left Adelaide for the Cape Jervis ferry that would bring us to Kangaroo Island. We took the scenic road through the incredibly picturesque Fleurieu Peninsula. Green rolling hills landscapes reminded us of New Zealand. As it often goes on a road trip, we felt sorry about not having the time to explore the area a bit more.

Kangaroo Island Ferry: Cape Jervis – Penneshaw

We had booked the Kangaroo Island ferry in advance and in no time we were on the boat and on our way to Kangaroo Island. The trip took some 45 minutes, but it was a bit choppy, so we spent most of the time on the upper deck enjoying the beautiful views.

You can find the Kangaroo Island ferry timetable and other practical information on the SeaLink website .

Penneshaw , where the Kangaroo Island ferry arrives, is a tiny little town with not much to see. We stopped at the petrol station and a small supermarket to stock up on some provisions for the next couple of days and headed straight to Seal Bay.

Prospect Hill was the very first place we visited on Kangaroo Island. We climbed the 512 steps to the top of the highest point on Kangaroo Island, with rewarding views of the island and mainland. At first, we were not sure if our 3-year-olds could do this climb, but they loved the stairs and hardly needed any help to reach the top.

No family trip to Kangaroo Island would be complete without a visit to Seal Bay . Seal Bay is the home to a colony of Australian sea lions. You can visit the beach where the seals live (with the guide only), or you can opt to explore the place from a boardwalk with several viewing platforms.

We did both and, at least on the day we were there, there was not much you could see from the boardwalk. All the seals were close to the water, and the only way to get somewhat close to them was with a guide.

It was a nice experience, especially for the children, who loved seeing these wild animals in their natural environment. There were baby seals as well and so there was plenty of action around us to keep even the 3-year-olds interested.

But the guide we had was really not suitable for the job (or she had a bad day), as she spent more time telling the people what (not) to do rather than telling us about the seals. All in all, we were glad we did the tour, as that was the best way to see the animals up close.

Several months later we visited Cape Cross Seal Colony in Namibia and that was a completely different experience. Tens of thousands of seals, some so close that you could touch them, and no guides to yell at people who walk too fast, too slow, or too close to the animals.

If we had been to Namibia first, then I’m sure we would have found Seal Bay not as impressive. But it was the first time we and the kids could see the seals from close by, and so at that time, it was worth the visit for us.

Seal Bay is located on the Southern Part of Kangaroo Island, it’s about a 1h30 drive from Penneshaw and 45min from Kingscote. For further practical information, please refer to the Seal Bay website .

Day 2: Flinders Chase National Park Area

The second day of our Kangaroo Island itinerary was dedicated to one of its most extraordinary places – Flinders Chase National Park . If you have just one day on Kangaroo Island, this is the best area to visit. Read on!

We started our second day on Kangaroo Island with a visit to the most ‘remarkable’ landmark of Kangaroo Island – Remarkable Rocks . They don’t look that impressive from a distance, but once you get closer you cannot help but admire this natural wonder. Remarkable rocks are truly… remarkable. The featured image of this post is also one from Remarkable Rocks.

This was a paradise for the kids! They were climbing on the rocks and playing hide and seek in the hollow spaces underneath. They didn’t want to leave!

TIP : If you can, try to visit Remarkable Rocks early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Since most people stay on the other side of Kangaroo Island and the drive is long, the place is so much quieter in the morning or in the evening than during the day.

Our second stop for the day was at Cape Du Couedic Lightstation . There were some hiking paths in the area, but our kids were a bit too young to do a serious hike, so we limited our visit to a short walk and a picnic with a beautiful view.

Another highlight of our visit to Kangaroo Island was the area around Admirals Arch . A beautiful coastal landscape can be enjoyed from the well-maintained boardwalks all the way to the Arch itself. It’s perfect for families visiting Kangaroo Island with kids.

Admirals Arch area is home to a big colony of New Zealand seals. You cannot get as close to them as to the ones in Seal Bay, but the whole environment feels more natural.

Flinders Chase National Park

We ended our day with two short walks at the Flinders Chase National Park : Woodlands Walk and Platypus Walk . Both were short and easy walks that our 3-year-old twins could do without any help. In fact, we had difficulties keeping up with them.

Day 3: Hanson Bay – Vivonne Bay

This third day of our Kangaroo Island itinerary was quite relaxed. The places we visited might not be an absolute must, but they sure make your trip to Kangaroo Island more special and give you a better picture of how much this nature wonderland has to offer.

It was another relaxing day on Kangaroo Island, perfect with young kids. We saw koalas, kangaroos, incredible white-sand beaches, and amazing sand dunes… We ended the day with a real Australian dinner and some new finds, including a sparkling ale from the Coopers Brewery. Take a look!

Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

We started our third day on Kangaroo Island with kids with a visit to Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary . This place is famous as the best place to see koalas on Kangaroo Island.

There were supposedly 20 of them when we visited, but we only saw six or seven. The staff made it easier to spot koalas by marking the trees where some of them were sitting. I understood that they do this every morning. It’s not the usual wildlife spotting, but still kind of fun.

First, look for a marked tree and then try to find the koala. Luckily, many of them were not too high in the trees and we could see them pretty well. We spent much too much time watching a koala with her baby. They are just so cute!

There were also several wild kangaroos running around at Hanson Bay and we could get really close to them. Fascinating animals!

TIP: You may also want to read this post for another great spot to see wild koalas in Australia .

Vivonne Bay is one of those places that are literally in the middle of nowhere. We stopped at the local cafe/ supermarket/ bottle shop/ post office/ ATM/ petrol station / sports equipment store. A fascinating little place, that was for sale when we visited. Wonder what became of it now…

After lunch, we visited the beach that can be reached by taking the road just past the Vivonne Bay store.

Vivonne Bay on Kangaroo Island is known as one of Australia’s best beaches. The long, sandy beach sounded like an ideal location for family picnics, sunbathing, fishing and surfing. But on the day we were there, it was completely deserted.

We loved walking around and the kids couldn’t get enough of the amazing variety of seashells they found there. They wanted to take them all home!

Our last stop for the day was a place known as Little Sahara . White sand dunes looked like they didn’t completely belong there – the landscape is so different from all the rest on Kangaroo Island…

Little Sahara is well known and appears to be quite popular for sandboarding, with locals and tourists alike. You could rent a sandboard at the Vivone Bay store, but we didn’t think it was such a good idea with the kids and didn’t bring a board with us.

Some people seem to have really mastered the art of sandboarding, but most others made for a fun spectacle. We limited our sand experience to climbing the dunes and rolling/ gliding/ running down again.

Day 4: Stokes Bay – Kingscote

Day four was our last day on Kangaroo Island. We would take the ferry back to the mainland the next morning. So we slowly made our way back towards Kingscote… We spent the last night in a hotel close to the ferry and left early in the morning.

On our last day on Kangaroo island, we visited Stokes Bay . It’s a hidden beach that is not visible from the parking area and you have to negotiate a very narrow passage under the rocks in order to get there. It’s an amazing experience!

Don’t miss this place if visiting Kangaroo island, and definitely with kids. They’ll love it! It’s also a great place for a family picnic on the beach.

TIP: Don’t miss Stokes Bay when visiting Kangaroo Island. It’s an amazing experience, one that will stay with you forever!

In the late afternoon, we visited Kingscote , the biggest town on Kangaroo Island. But don’t let that mislead you. It’s a small place with just a few shops and restaurants and you don’t need that much time to visit it.

We had read about the daily pelican feeding at Kingscote Wharf at 5 PM. We were there about an hour before that and the pelicans were already waiting. No other people, no show, but plenty of birds to watch and photograph. We didn’t stay for the feeding, watching the birds before the crowds arrived was sufficient.

Update: One of our readers informed us that Pelican feeding has now been stopped. However, the birds are usually still around.

Where to Stay for Exploring Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island is rather big and if you don’t want to spend too much time in the car, the best option is to stay close to Flinders Chase National Park for at least 2 nights and book the rest of your stay in or close to Kingscote or Penneshaw.

TIP: Kangaroo Island accommodation is scarce, so book well in advance!

Accommodation near Flinders Chase National Park

There are not that many hotels close to Flinders Chase , so your choices are limited. But the location makes it really worthwhile. Here you can see what’s available on the South-Western side of Kangaroo Island and you may be able to find a few more options online.

We stayed at Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat for 3 nights. This was one of the best price/quality accommodations close to Flinders Chase NP. The location is great, we had a nice big family room, and they have a really good restaurant.

Alternatively, check out Discovery Parks (Caravan Park & Wildlife Reserve). This is budget accommodation not too far from Flinders Chase NP.

Kingscote Accommodation

You have much more choice of accommodations on the Eastern side of Kangaroo Island. Kingscote , the American River area, and Penneshaw are the best choices with the most facilities.

We also spent one night at Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge – its location was good for visiting Kingscote one day and taking the ferry back to the mainland the next day.

So, this is our self-drive itinerary and guide to Kangaroo Island, a true nature lover’s paradise in Australia. It’s one of those places that made our whole Australia trip so much more special and I wouldn’t have wanted to miss it.

If you have a few days to spare when planning a trip to the southern part of Australia, I really recommend visiting Kangaroo Island.

Kangaroo Island FAQ

The best way to get to Kangaroo Island is by car- and passenger ferry from Cape Jervis, 107km south of Adelaide. The journey by ferry between Cape Jervis and Penneshaw takes 45 minutes. You have to book this ferry in advance, definitely if traveling in high season.

Unless you visit with an organized tour, you will need a car in order to explore Kangaroo Island. It’s a big island with lots to see and do and public transport is not really an option.

You can visit Kangaroo Island with a rental car from the Australian mainland. However, if you rent a car on Kangaroo Island, normally, you cannot take it outside of the island.

It is possible to visit Kangaroo Island as a day trip from Adelaide. However, it will be a very long day and you’ll only visit a few of the main landmarks. If you decide to go for a day, it’s best to do it with an organized tour , because it’s often cheaper than paying for the car ferry, not even to mention fuel, lunch, etc.

While you can see the main attractions of Kangaroo Island in a day, we recommend at least 2-3 days here. This will allow you to visit all the main landmarks. If you want to explore the island deeper, plan at least 4-5 days.

More tips for your trip to Australia:

• Tips: What to Know When Planning a Trip to Australia
• Itinerary: Australia Itinerary (Sydney, Blue Mountains, Red Center, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Great Ocean Road, Melbourne, and Tasmania)
• GOR: Best Stops on the Great Ocean Road Drive
• Family travel: Australia with Kids
• Red Center: West MacDonnell Ranges and Red Center Itinerary from Alice Springs to Uluru
• Cities: 1 Day in Sydney & 1 Day in Melbourne and Things to Do in Hobart, Tasmania
• Northern Territory: Darwin Itinerary
• Koalas: Best Place to See Wild Koalas in Australia

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Thursday 24th of February 2022

Your blog has been so helpful, we are a group visiting on a Cruise Ship for a day, but, whatever your 3 year olds could do would be a good measure for some of our older cruisers. I have noted your special places and will follow up on them. Beautifully described and appreciated.

Glad to help, Spud. Have a great time on Kangaroo Island. It's a beautiful destination!

Sunday 8th of August 2021

We've just started planning our 2023 trip to Australia. Kangaroo Island is going to be one of our first stops and I'm so thrilled to have come across this blog post. It's already been so helpful in our planning!

Glad to hear that, Pam! Good luck with the planning!

Saturday 10th of April 2021

Thanks Jurga. We followed your itinerary and did all of what you covered at KI and some more and were very pleased to ensure we had the highlights covered first up, courtesy your blog.

Monday 12th of April 2021

Thank you so much for taking the time to come back to our blog and leave this feedback, Sanket. Glad to hear that you had a great trip and that our blog helped you make the most of it! Happy travels and hopefully, you'll find more travel inspiration for your future trips on our website!

Monday 25th of November 2019

Hi Jurga! We are just back from our 6 week trip to Australia. I want to thank you for all the blogposts, they were a good skeleton to plan our trip! :-) We visited Kangaroo Island, such a beautiful island! Please note that Paul’s Place Wildlife Sanctuary is now permanently closed. There is also no Pelican feeding anymore in Kingscote, but he pelicans are still there. Cheers.

Thanks a lot for letting me know, Benedikt. Will try to update my post asap. And I'm really glad to hear that you found our suggestions useful and had a great trip Down Under! It's always great to hear from our readers. Happy travels.

Sunday 16th of June 2019

I am planning to visit Aus in Nov for 3 weeks. And as always I am more interested to see wild life and nature than just roaming around in city streets. Thanks for sharing your experience. its definitely gonna help to shape my upcoming trip this year :)

Tuesday 18th of June 2019

Glad to hear you found this useful, Nav. Kangaroo Island is one of the nicest places we visited in Australia, definitely worth a trip. If you are still looking for itinerary ideas, please check our Australia trip itinerary, it has lots of suggestions for several different areas of the country. Enjoy your trip!

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Kangaroo Island Tours

Kangaroo Island sits just off the coast of mainland South Australia and is only a short ferry ride away. This protected nature reserve is home to native Aussie wildlife like kangaroos, koalas, sea lions, penguins and other birds.

Our Kangaroo Island tours from  Adelaide  will get you exploring this coastal giant and with wildlife experiences such as Seal Bay, and jaw-dropping sights like Remarkable Rocks and Admiral Arch, and wildlife reserves like the west Flinders Chase National Park, you'll be glad you did! 

Our Kangaroo Island tours from Adelaide include both daily ferry transfers as well as overnight exploration options so you can get the most out of your trip. So, what are you waiting for? Explore one of the most iconic destinations in Australia! Book with Backpackers World Travel today!

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Kangaroo Island Tours

It’s so much more than just a tour..

Our tours are designed to highlight the best of Kangaroo Island in intimate, luxury style. We don’t want you to feel like a tourist, we want you to experience our unique lifestyle in a way that makes you feel welcomed on our island home.

But what does that really mean? With us, you’ll enjoy a hands-on touring experience with a maximum of six guests. So you’ll always have the attention of your knowledgable and experienced local driver. We will ensure you see the sights but also take you where others can’t, to exclusive spots, in luxury 4WD comfort.

Private Bespoke Tours

One day island life tour.

Our Island Life tour is our signature Kangaroo Island tour which combines a range of wildlife encounters, some north and south coast landscapes, and an elegant barbecue at a private camp in the bush.

One Day Flinders Chase Focus Tour

Explore Flinders Chase National Park including Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks. Watch the fur seals frolic and play in the untamed Southern Ocean.

Enjoy traditional Australian BBQ with potatoes, fresh salads, local KI wines and other refreshments.

One Day Fine Flavours Tour

Discover the Fine Flavours of Kangaroo Island! Go behind the scenes to learn about and taste the best produce Kangaroo Island has to offer, including fresh oysters, honey, wine, gin, olives and olive oil.

Two Day Kangaroo Island In Style Tour

Our popular two day tour of Kangaroo Island combines our Island Life and Flinders Chase Focus itineraries and features the iconic landscapes and wildlife encounters the Island is famous for.

Three Day Kangaroo Island Investigator Tour

Our three day Kangaroo Island Investigator tour covers our Island Life, Flinders Chase Focus and Fine Flavours full day itineraries.

Ready to book your Kangaroo Island experience?

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Join one of Australia’s leading tour operators to experience the best of Kangaroo Island.

Since 1986, Exceptional Kangaroo Island has offered luxury small group and private Kangaroo Island tours, with a promise of good food, good wine and wildlife in the wild.

Our mission is to provide sustainable  wildlife encounters  in the wild, enjoy  locally sourced food  prepared daily and presented in spectacular remote locations and make all of this as easy as possible for you. 

Come and join the original and leading Kangaroo Island touring company to experience the best of Kangaroo Island.

A Personal Invitation

The creative and productive community of Kangaroo Island, diverse landscapes, sustainable wildlife encounters and rich natural history offer much for travellers. Whether as a destination stay or part of a broader journey, we invite you to come and explore Kangaroo Island - the place we are lucky to call home. Craig and Janet Wickham

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Explore our range of popular one day and multi day tours. Choose from small group or private touring.

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We partner with a wide range of Kangaroo Island accommodation providers. Whether you’re looking for luxury , beachfront , bed and breakfast or hotels and motels , we can book as part of a touring package. Please note, we do not offer standalone accommodation bookings – they must be part of a small group or private tour package.

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We offer a range of luxury Kangaroo Island tours, with a focus on wildlife, food & wine, landscapes, conservation & more. All tours include gourmet catering.

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Kangaroo Island Tours & Holidays

This mini Galapagos is one of Australia’s most beautiful and underrated wildlife sanctuaries

Arriving on Kangaroo Island feels like you’ve stepped back in time. Kids still ride bikes to school, and farmers chase kangaroos off their front lawns before dawn. But it’s the local wildlife that’s the real drawcard. Fur seals, dolphins,  Australian  sea lions, echidnas, koalas and, of course, kangaroos, have flourished here without the threat of species introduced to the mainland. The island also boasts some of the country's  best beaches, pristine hiking trails  and lip-smacking local produce.

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Kangaroo Island travel FAQs

Do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

How do I get to Kangaroo Island?

Kangaroo Island is located 14 kilometres (9 miles) off the  South Australian  coast. To get there, you'll need to take the ferry from Cape Jervis or fly from Adelaide.

You can fly to Kangaroo Island from Adelaide and several other cities in Australia (subject to seasonal demand), or catch a ferry to Penneshaw from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula. The ferry takes around 45 minutes.

When is the best time to visit Kangaroo Island?

Kangaroo Island is beautiful all year, with each season offers a unique perspective of the island.

Summer is generally hot and dry which is ideal for checking out the many beaches, while winter is great for seeing fur seals, adorable kangaroo and wallaby joeys and southern right whales.

Spring and autumn are perfect for bushwalking, fishing and seeing the island's native flowers in bloom.

What should I pack for Kangaroo Island?

Kangaroo Island is a casual place so you can leave your dressy clothes at home. Layered, breathable clothing is key, as while it can be chilly when you set off in the morning, it can warm up substantially throughout the day. You'll also need a pair of comfy walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses and a sunhat (even in winter). A raincoat or poncho is better than an umbrella as some areas can be very windy.

What do I wear on Kangaroo Island?

Most activities on Kangaroo Island involve the great outdoors, so there's no need to dress up. In the evening, smart casual is the typical dress code for the island's restaurants — think t-shirt and jeans. Evenings can be chilly, even during the summer months, so ensure you bring a couple of warm layers.

What is the internet access like on Kangaroo Island?

Telstra customers can get mobile data coverage in major tourist areas and along most of the island's sealed roads. There's limited signal available in more remote areas of the island, particularly when you're travelling off-road.

Customers with other network providers may have little or no coverage throughout the island, but most hotels and resorts offer wi-fi. Kangaroo Island ferries also offer free wi-fi.

Can I use my mobile phone on Kangaroo Island?

Telstra customers usually have the best coverage on Kangaroo Island, particularly in more populated areas. If you're with another network provider you may have less or no coverage at all, however, most hotels offer free wi-fi so you can stay connected.

Has Kangaroo Island recovered from the 2020 bushfires?

The 2020 bushfires were the biggest in the island's history. The fires burnt almost half of the island and had a devastating impact on the people, homes, businesses, wildlife, nature and tourism.

As catastrophic as the fires were, Kangaroo Island and other bushfire-affected regions in South Australia are bouncing back. Nature is flourishing again and wildlife has returned to native habitats. Amazingly, some species that were thought to have been wiped out have been spotted, including the Kangaroo Island Little Pygmy Possum.

Tourism has suffered a great deal since the bushfires, but as the island continues to recover, it's more important than ever.

Are Intrepid trips accessible for travellers with disabilities?

We are committed to making travel widely  accessible , regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations. 

We are always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Unique, unforgettable experiences. Locals know it best.

At Kangaroo Island Touring Company, we offer only bespoke private tours that blend luxury with the exceptional beauty of Kangaroo Island. With a focus on regenerative travel and immersive nature based experiences our local, naturalist, accredited guides share a deep passion for Kangaroo Island, bringing its unique wonders to life by providing a window into their world for guests, ensuring unique and memorable experiences, and the local stories, that provide a sense of connection to place.

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Backpacker and Hostel

Kangaroo Island in South Australia, is Australia's third largest island.

• About Kangaroo Island
• Kangaroo Island Facts
• Kangaroo Island Weather
• Kangaroo Island History
• Getting To Kangaroo Island

Discover a world of amazing places to visit on Kangaroo Island.

• Kangaroo Island Destinations
• South Coast
• North Coast
• American River
• Dudley Peninsula
• Vivonne Bay
• Pennington Bay
• D'Estrees Bay

Kangaroo Island is simply stunning, with a wide choice of lodgings from budget to pure luxury.

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There is so much to experience on Kangaroo Island.

Kangaroo Island Experiences

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Backpackers and Hostels Budget accommodation on Kangaroo Island.

Many of the over 140,000 visitors Kangaroo Island welcomes on an annual basis are backpacker travellers on tight budgets. Fortunately, Australia’s third largest island boasts no shortage of affordable hostels near many of its most popular attractions.

Backpacker Accommodation

Budget Accommodation

Back packing on Kangaroo Island

The Kangaroo Island Backpackers hostel stands less than 100m away from the Penneshaw ferry terminal which transports passengers to mainland South Australia. Therefore, backpackers do not need to bring their own vehicles to the island, but guests who travel by automobile nonetheless have plenty of parking places to choose from.

Family, twin share, double, single, and dormitory rooms are all available at Kangaroo Island Backpackers.

Other amenities include a laundry area with a dryer, a fully functional communal kitchen, and reverse cycle air-conditioning in all rooms.

Kangaroo Island Backpackers guests can relax at the outdoor garden area or the indoor recreation lounge. Nightly penguin tours take place no more than 100m from this conveniently located hostel.

Kangaroo Island Central Hostel is a good choice for backpackers who prefer to stay in the middle of historic Kingscote . A communal kitchen and lounge are situated alongside this hostel’s dormitories and rooms. Fishing jetties, pelican feeding, and a penguin colony are all no more than 500m away from Kangaroo Island Central Hostel.

Kangaroo Island YHA gives discounts of 10 percent to all YHA / Hostelling International members who show their cards upon checking into this Penneshaw establishment facing Hog Bay.

Fairy penguins and wallabies frequently wander into this hostel’s seaside garden. Room choices include three family rooms, a single room, and three double rooms.

There are plenty of things to experience on Kangaroo Island. Crystal clear waters are perfect for swimming, diving, kayaking and surfing while, on land, food safaris, bushwalks and walking tours are some of the best in Australia.

Beaches Explore the secluded beaches and bays of the Kangaroo Island coastline, an area famous for its beauty and wildlife.

Food + Wine Experience the tastes and flavours of Kangaroo Island - it's famous cheeses, honey and wines, while enjoying the spectacular landscapes.

Wildlife Come face to face with some of Kangaroo Island's diverse wildlife. Meet the seals, sit with the kangaroos, and so much more.

Australia's great southern island

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About 'Kangaroo Island Australia'

Kangaroo Island Australia is a 'Web Magazine' website that is dedicated to all things related to Kangaroo Island. We are passionate about Australia's great southern island, its vast marine and wildlife, its white sandy beaches, its turquiose waters and the unforgetable experiences that are waiting for all who visit. Our aim is to discuss Kangaroo Island, its history, its environment, its wildlife and its spectacular destinations. We hope that this website will inspire all who visit, just as much as Kangaroo Island has inspired us.

Travel web design

Travel and tourism website design by Jimmyweb Sydney website design by Jimmyweb Blue Mountains website design by iVent

Overnight Tour: 2 Day Ultimate Kangaroo Island

A two day Kangaroo Island tour - your chance to discover the fascinating wildlife, spectacular scenery and unique local produce. With return coach and ferry transfers to Kangaroo Island, and overnight accommodation, all you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy your time away. First stop is Seal Bay for a walk along the beach amongst a breeding colony of rare Australian sea lions. Enjoy a delicious two course lunch, before heading to Flinders Chase National Park. Devastated by the fires in January 2020, you'll be able to see the regeneration of the bush first hand, and stop at Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch for photo opportunities. Finish the day at Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park where you can feed kangaroos and get up close to koalas. Day 2 is all about meeting the local producers, and after the fascinating Free Flight Birds of Prey Presentation at Raptor Domain, you will visit Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery, join a guided tour at Clifford's Honey Farm and enjoy tastings at the new False Cape Wines Cellar Door. Operates: 6.45am day one to 10.30pm day two, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday (except 24 & 25 December).

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Kangaroo Island Backpacker Tours

Explore this stunning region by choosing the best Kangaroo Island backpacker tour. With golden beaches, epic sunsets and native wildlife, Kangaroo Island is no less than an idyllic oasis. Boasting 891 species of native plants, koalas, baby kangaroos and more, the Island is Australia’s premier wildlife destination. Grab the opportunity and immerse yourself in Australian wildlife – explore the landscapes, vegetation, food and interactive wildlife experiences which Kangaroo Island has to offer. Here are some great ideas for things to do in Kangaroo Island!

Kangaroo Island Backpacker Tour Must Do Activities

• 2 Day Kangaroo Island Tour
• Discover Vivonne Bay
• Sand Board at Little Sahara
• Explore Seal Bay
• Visit the Remarkable Rocks at Flinders Chase National Park
• Come face to face with a Kangaroo
• Enjoy some South Australian Wine

Kangaroo Island Climate

Kangaroo Island – like most of South Australia – has a Mediterranean climate with summers (December to February) being warm with cool evenings. During autumn (March to May), the pastures begin to green up, waterways and catchments begin to flow and it is a time for transition, a stunning time of the year with warm days and calm seas.

Activities on Kangaroo Island

If you miss the typically snowy Januarys in the northern hemisphere, you can enjoy some sand boarding on Little Sahara’s dunes in the late afternoon, while any animal lover will be eager to stop at Seal Bay, a long sandy beach with a large breeding colony of sea lions. You can often see newly born sea lion pups playing in the sand and the adults riding the waves or resting at the beach after three days feeding at sea. Sitting on the coast of Flinders Chase National Park, Remarkable Rocks is a great spot for some holiday photos. Formed by erosive forces over 500 million years, the rocks have taken on incredible shapes and set a challenge for photographers at all times of the day as the light and shade keeps changing. Another amazing rock formation is Admirals Arch, which has been shaped by the sea and provides a great place to spot the colony of long-nosed fur seals that call this place home. The boardwalk that leads to the Arch is an enjoyable experience in itself.

Kangaroo Island Adventure Tours

Kangaroo Island Wilderness Explorer Tours are led by fun-loving, professional guides who also happen to be Kangaroo Island specialists. Following your 45 minute journey from the mainland, the comfortable, 20-seater coach will be waiting as you disembark the SeaLink ferry at Penneshaw. Prepare for an entertaining and information packed journey filled with pristine wilderness, spectacular coastline and unforgettable characters from both KI’s human and animal kingdoms.

Phone: 1300 795 447 (in Australia), or +61 8 8202 8678

Website: www.kiadventuretours.com.au​ Find out more: Kangaroo Island Tour Deals

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