Kangaroo Island, like most of South Australia, has a Mediterranean climate - although slightly more temperate. Summers are warm with cool evenings and winter is often a little warmer than the mainland.
Check out our 4-day summer itinerary perfect for young couples or groups of friends. Or if you're looking for a family-friendly itinerary, check out our 3-day summer itinerary.
From March to June, the weather is often spectacular with long, balmy days and calm seas. It is an excellent time to observe wildlife and discover the island's unfiltered beauty in the afternoon. The cooler evenings are ideal for warming up with a glass of Kangaroo Island wine over dinner. If you're planning to have a short holiday on Kangaroo Island during this season, Penneshaw and Dudley Peninsula is the perfect region to enjoy and explore.
Be sure to take warm, layered clothing in the winter months of June through to September. At any time, comfortable and casual clothing is the order of the day. Evening dining in any of the island’s restaurants or bistros is a relaxed experience, so neat, casual clothing is quite acceptable.
If you plan to do some walking, make sure to pack some boots or sturdy shoes and, hats and sunscreen are recommended. A reasonable degree of fitness is required to enjoy certain attractions on some of the marked and unmarked bush trails. Attractions such as Seal Bay, Admiral’s Arch, and Remarkable Rocks now feature walking tracks and boardwalks to protect both you and the fragile ecosystems.
Kangaroo Island Seasons
Winter (1 June - 31 August): Winter brings spectacular, lush green countryside with flowing rivers and abundant wildlife.
Spring (1 September - 30 November): Spring is the season of rebirth with wildflowers, birds, and mammals being plentiful.
Summer (1 December - 28 February): Wildlife retreats to bushland habitats for shelter in the heat of the day. Golden pastures, summer wildflowers, and new growth of native trees fill the landscape. The beaches are at their stunning best.
Autumn (1 March - 31 May): Pastures begin to green up, and waterways and catchments begin to flow. This is a time for transition, a stunning time of the year with warm days and calm seas.
Wildlife and Natural Events Calendar
Kangaroo Island is often likened to the Galapagos Islands with its natural wildlife and scenic beauty. The island sees a menagerie of wildlife present all year round such as Kangaroo Island kangaroos, Tammar wallabies, echidna, bottle-nosed dolphins, Australian sea lions, and Long-nosed fur seals.
Kangaroo Island is lucky to see many delightful wildlife events throughout the year such as the annual breeding of the little penguins in Autumn or Southern right whales in winter making their way back to Antarctic waters.
To see a table of seasonal wildlife and natural events, view and download a copy of the Kangaroo Island wildlife and natural events calendar here.
