30 Great Reasons To Visit Kangaroo Island

Planning a trip to Kangaroo Island? Take a look at our top 30 reasons to make your way over and some of the incredible places to visit once you're here. From once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experiences, walking tracks and townships, to tasting local cuisine at cafes and restaurants.

The island is so large in fact that it’s six times the size of Singapore with 4,405 square kilometres of land, so make sure you plan to stay more than a day or two. We can't wait for you to holiday here this year!

To check the opening hours of attractions, please visit the online KI Map for further details.

1Your holiday starts on the ferry

Take a short cruise across Backstairs Passage to Kangaroo Island on our SeaLink Ferries and you’ll feel like you’re a world away from the mainland.  Head up to the top deck to spot dolphins or perhaps even a whale. Enjoy a coffee and maybe a bite to eat before arriving in Penneshaw’s beautiful crystal-clear bay.

2 Flinders Chase National Park

From the Remarkable Rocks, Admiral's Arch to the Cape du Couedic Lighthouse, there is so much to see in the Flinders Chase National Park. Spend an afternoon exploring the park and it's iconic natural landmarks. We recommend booking your entry with National Parks SA prior to visiting.

3 Swim With Dolphins

The crystal-clear waters around Kangaroo Island make for the perfect place to spot dolphins. Join a tour with KI Marine Adventures or Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari and get up close with a memory-making snorkelling and swimming experience.

4 Ligurian Bee Honey

If honey’s your thing — and you love delicious honey ice cream — a visit to Clifford’s Honey Farm or Island Beehive is a must. Find out why this Italian bee has found a perfect home on KI, and why the island’s wilderness, combined with careful conservation, make it the only place in the world where they’re still bred.

5Seal Bay Conservation Park

Experience a guided beach walk amongst a colony of endangered Australian sea lions. If you’re around in the winter months the chances are, you’ll encounter pups!

6 Cape Willoughby Lighthouse

At the eastern tip of Kangaroo Island — and home to South Australia’s first lighthouse — is the Cape Willoughby Conservation Park. Become an expert on the place at the free museum or climb to the top to take in the views across Backstairs Passage.

7 Prospect Hill Lookout

Take a walk up the 500 steps at Prospect Hill to reach the highest point on Kangaroo Island. You'll enjoy a panoramic view over the most narrow section of KI and read the interpretive signage at the top to find out how the hill was named.

8 Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail

The spectacular Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail has now reopened to walkers and is currently available to walk with licensed tour operators to explore the vast and ruggedness of KI's west coast. See the National Parks and Wildlife website for further details.

9 Stokes Bay

Walk through a rock passageway to find one of Kangaroo Island’s best-kept secrets — the hidden beach of Stokes Bay. It’s a place that features a children friendly natural rock pool area and a beach that’s great for surfing. You can also stop by for coffee or lunch at the Rockpool Cafe.

10 The Oyster Farm Shop

When it’s oyster season on KI — which is every month except February and March — take a trip to The Oyster Farm Shop to order some freshly shucked oysters and wash them down with a local wine or beer. It’s also the place to stock up on fresh seafood, whenever you’re on the island.

11 Local Markets

Only a few minutes walk from the ferry terminal is the Penneshaw Markets, held on the 1st Sunday of each month from October to April. There is also the Kingscote Farmers & Artisan Market held at the Kingscote Wharf on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. Head along for the great market atmosphere and a selection of Kangaroo Island products and produce.

12 Your perfect stay

Whatever your style of accommodation, chances are you'll find it here on KI. From your own private beach house, to a secluded cabin to everything in between, you'll find so many unique places to stay on KI. Search accommodation with SeaLink to find your perfect place.

13 Kangaroo Island Spirits

Head to KI Spirits to taste their multi award-winning range of gins, spirits and liqueurs. Unwind with a cocktail in their Gin Garden, blend your own gin at a blending class and find out why their gins have been voted amongst the best in the world.

14 Raptor Domain

This family-owned centre for endangered and rescued animals is great fun for the whole family. Stay for the Birds of Prey Free-Flight Show, hold an enormous wedge-tailed eagle or experience the Venom Pit for its fang-tastic displays!

15 Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery

This eucalyptus oil distillery is one of only two in Australia. You’ll find their range of 100% eucalyptus oil products in store and you can also learn about the process of the oil distilling with a tour of the distillery. Stop for lunch and enjoy their range of Kangaroo Island ciders.

16 Little Sahara

Little Sahara’s two-kilometre stretch of sand dunes have been created across the last 7,000 years from coastal winds. Hire a sandboard or toboggan from Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action for some excitement, or you can take a walk to the top and enjoy the views.

17 Kangaroo Island Brewery

TaThe island’s first cellar door micro-brewery is located just outside of Kingscote. Try one of their eight craft beers, enjoy a glass of wine and maybe some food from their regular pop-up diners or food vans. The Cellar Door, built from local limestone and with a rustic interior, is a great place to relax.

18 Kangaroo Island Sculpture Trail

The newly opened Sculpture Trail in Penneshaw is a great place to go for short and easy walk. The walk is free, and features amazing scenic outlooks, and you’ll find a swing bridge and fantastic local artwork along the way.

19 Emu Bay Lavender Farm and Café

For something special, stop by the Emu Bay Lavender Farm for a delicious breakfast or lunch. Try their lavender scones in a delightful café setting and take in the beautiful scent as you walk through the fields or browse their lavender products in their farm gate store.

20 KI Wildlife Park

Get up close to Australian native animals at KI Wildlife Park. Hand feed a kangaroo, see the little penguins, hold a koala or cuddle a wombat for a great photo opportunity. Take a guided tour of the park’s interactive animal displays or just wander at your leisure.

21 Local Gallery Art

Kangaroo Island’s natural landscape and isolation inspires some magnificent artworks — it’s long been home to many creative people. Get in touch with your artistic side at places including  Fine Art Kangaroo Island, Kangaroo Island Artworks Gallery, Rustic Blue Art Gallery or MB Stoner Art Glass, to name a few.

22 Action and Adventure

For a more adventurous take on what KI has to offer, book an experience with KI Outdoor Action. Hire a quad bike, go paintballing, join a guided kayak tour or check out the FatBikes for a big thrill.

23 False Cape Wines

This brand-new cellar door opened late 2019 has been constructed from recycled wood, jetty timbers and locally sourced stone, giving it a rustic KI feel. Kick back and enjoy their range of wines, cheese platters and light meals in an idyllic setting.

24 Wine? Why not?

Kangaroo Island is home to five cellar doors as the region builds its reputation for its wines. If you love wine, make sure you find time to visit Bay of Shoals Wines, Islander Estate Wines, Amadio Wines, Springs Road Wines and Dudley Wines.

25 A Fisherman’s Paradise

Fishing is a real five-star experience on Kangaroo Island — from fishing charters to jetty, boat, beach, rock and river fishing. King George whiting is beautiful, but you’ll also catch (hopefully!) everything else from snapper, tuna, river bream and everything else in between. Head out from Emu Bay with Emu Bay Fishing Charters for a day you’ll never forget.

26 Glamping Tents

With stunning coastal views and set amongst native bushland, experience luxury camping with a ‘glamping’ experience at Kangaroo Island Seafront Holiday Park. Each tent is decorated to a different theme. Choose from Coastal Tones, Moroccan, African or stay in the Kangaroo Island theme tent with local art work and local Kangaroo Island produce in the mini bar.

27 Penguins

Penneshaw is home to the world’s smallest penguins. You can view the colony by joining Penneshaw Penguin Centre on an evening guided walk illuminated by wildlife-friendly red light torches. You’ll also get the opportunity to spot other local wildlife like wallabies, possums and other sea birds.

28Kangaroo Island Cup

Make your way to the island for a fantastic weekend of country racing with the SeaLink Kangaroo Island Racing Carnival, featuring the KI Cup on Saturday 19th February 2022! Stay for the weekend and visit a range of islander producers, cellar doors and join in on activities, or book a travel package for the day!

29 Hungry? No Problem!

If you’re peckish, we’ve got you covered. Restaurants, cafes and food trucks are dotted around the island serving locally sourced produce and wines. A few of our favourites include the Cactus Café, the Fat Beagle, Millie Mae's Pantry, Vivonne Bay General Store, The Deck Cafe, KI Tru Thai, Mini De Lights, Ozone Hotel, Bellas, KI Smoke & Fire, The Rockpool and Beach Barista — but you can always check out Eat, Drink KI’s Online KI Map for more ideas.

30 Museums

Brush up on Kangaroo Island’s unique history. Take a trip down memory lane at the historic Maritime & Folk Museum in Penneshaw, the Hope Cottage Museum in Kingscote for a fascinating insight into how settlers lived in the late 1800s or visit the Parndana Soldier Settlement Museum memorial.