Kangaroo Island, an island off the coast of South Australia is known for its unique wildlife, breathtaking views, a thriving food & wine culture and of course the best beaches in the world.
Kangaroo Island, or KI as locals call it, is large, in fact, it is six times the size of Singapore with 4,405 sq km of land! The best way to get a feel of the island is to explore the different regions, each different and unique from one another.
The eastern part, home to Penneshaw, Dudley Peninsula and American River serve a gateway to the island. The central regions with Kingscote, Parndana and South Coast where you will find fun activities and unique wildlife experiences. The western end of KI is unlike anything else – filled with wilderness trails, hidden beaches and kilometers of untouched flora and fauna.
Now that you are intrigued, why not check out the bucket list for an island getaway? Here is our list of the ten top things to do on Kangaroo Island in 2026.
1. Sip your way through the island
Kangaroo Island is home to manny cellar doors as the region continues to build its reputation as a wine destination. Dedicate a day (or two!) to visiting some of the best cellar doors and tasting rooms in South Australia. Make sure you find time to visit Dudley Wines clifftop cellar door, with its stunning view back to the mainland, False Cape Wines, Bay of Shoals Wines where the vines meet the sea, Islander Estate Wines, Amadio Wines, and Springs Road Wines.
For those who enjoy spirits, you must try the island’s only (and Australia’s first) boutique distillery - Kangaroo Island Spirits with its range of liqueurs, vodkas, and award-winning gin.
If you only have one day to spare, join our Kangaroo Island Sip & See Day Tour for wine tasting at False Cape Wines, and enjoy a delicious 2-course lunch at Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery, and sample honey wheat ale at Clifford’s Honey Farm. You will also get the chance to visit the incredible Raptor Domain for the exciting and educational "Free Flight" Birds of Prey Presentation.
2. Explore Flinders Chase National Park
Flinders Chase National Park is one of the most loved attractions and is known for the iconic Remarkable Rocks. This oddly shaped cluster of rocks and boulders is the result of erosive forces of wind, sea spray, and rain over 500 million years. You can also head over to Cape du Couedic to see the Admirals Arch, a natural rock arch formed by rains and winds over thousands of years, and the historical Lighthouse. Make sure you take your camera with you as you’ll not get tired of capturing the dramatic landscape in Flinders Chase National Park.
See the highlights of Kangaroo Island’s premier nature-based tourism destination with our One Day Kangaroo Island Experience Tour. While we recommend staying longer, if you don’t have much time, the one-day tour is perfect for you to experience a glimpse of the natural wonders the island has to offer. The tour includes a visit to the Seal Bay Conservation Park, two-course lunch at Vivonne Bay Bistro, an afternoon in the Flinders Chase National Park, and a visit to the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park.
3. Hang out with sealions at Seal Bay
Experience a guided beach walk with a National Parks Ranger amongst a colony of endangered Australian sea lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park. Situated in Seal Bay, the conservation park is home to around a colony of around 600 rare Australian Sea Lions. Get up close and see these wild creatures frolic and laze about – an utterly amazing and unforgettable experience. If you are around in the winter months the chances are, you will encounter Sea Lion pups, who scamper up and down the beach waiting for their mothers to come back in from their multi-day fishing expeditions.
The guided beach walk at Seal Bay Conservation Park is included as part of the Kangaroo Island Experience Day Tour.
4. Explore the Kelly Hill Caves
Kelly Hill Caves are one of Kangaroo Island’s most underrated yet memorable attractions, featuring ancient limestone formations shaped over thousands of years. Guided tours lead visitors through cool, atmospheric chambers filled with stalactites and flowstone, making it an easy, family-friendly attraction that adds variety beyond beaches and wildlife. Check out the audio-visual tour featuring narration and a dynamic light display that provides visitors with an immersive experience through the history of the caves.
5. Wildlife encounters for all
A trip to Kangaroo Island wouldn’t be complete without experiencing its remarkable wildlife and natural environment. Bring your camera and join a guided koala walking tour at Little Sahara or Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, where visitors can observe native wildlife in one of the island most significant conservation areas and natural habitats. As the sunsets, discover the nightlife with a 3 hour nocturnal tour with opportunities to spot Tammar Wallabies, Brush-tailed Possums, Western Grey Kangaroos, and possibly other more elusive night creatures such as Boobook Owls, Stone Curlews or even Penguins. For an opportunity to feed a kangaroo or hold a koala, visit Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, home to over 100 species with unique animal experiences.
6. For the thrill-seeking adventurers
Ready for an adrenaline pumping adventure? Little Sahara is your go to! A two-kilometre stretch of sand dunes that have been created over the last 7,000 years by the coastal winds, it's the prime location for Little Sahara Adventure Centre. Buckle up on a guided buggy adventure to view the picturesque sand dunes, learn about the native fauna and flora and visit a remote beach. Hire a sandboard to surf the dunes like a pro or just sit down, hang on and slide down on a taboggan. If you want to get your heart pumping, join an e-bike tour.
Or head over to Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action to quad bike across 500 acres of bushland trails or choose to take in the beautiful Harriet River on a kayak.
7. Attend world class events, island style
The island is also home to some incredible events such as the Kangaroo Island Racing Carnival and the KI Marathon every year.
The Racing Carnival or KI Cup takes place in February and is a fun weekend full of thrilling races, fashion and good cheer. There’s something for everyone, from an indulgent long lunch to private marquees and just a day at the tracks.
KI Marathon happens every August and is one of the most unique marathons in the world with the course running in the Flinders Chase National Park along coastal cliffs and endless ocean views.
8. Get close to dolphins and marine wildlife
If you’re into water activities, you can discover Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari, a South Australian Tourism Award Winning experience in the crystal-clear waters of Kangaroo Island. Spot dolphins, seals, and eagles in their natural habitats or take the plunge for an unforgettable experience. Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari is the only operator in South Australia that provides the opportunity to swim with the Long-nosed Seals. A truly unforgettable wildlife encounter.
But there’s more! You can also take a tour with KI Marine Adventures and dive into some stunning snorkelling and swimming experiences. Get close to or swim with the largest gatherings of wild Bottlenose dolphins on Kangaroo Island, plus see plenty of sea birds, fossils and seal colonies.
9. Beaches and Bays
No visit to KI is complete without visiting the iconic beaches. Be sure to walk through a rocky passageway to find one of Kangaroo Island’s best-kept secrets, the hidden beach of Stokes Bay. Crowned Australia's Best Beach in 2023 by Tourism Australia, it is a place that features a children-friendly natural rock pool area and a beach that’s great for surfing.
Other favourites are Vivonne Bay, Western River Cove and Snellings Beach. However, there are beaches dotted all around the island, so you can definitely stumble upon a stunning beachside spot.
10. Indulge in the island food scene
Step into the mystical realm of The Fig Tree on Kangaroo Island, where a leafy gateway leads you to a series of natural 'living rooms’ for a dining experience like no other. This experience is seasonal and open during but is not to be missed for a meal as unique as its setting.
Another favourite to check out is the Sunset Food and Wine, open during the warm season as well. You’re guaranteed delicious food, drinks and an incredible view of the ocean from every seat.
