Hop to It: The Best Things to do on Kangaroo Island
From an afternoon spent under an enchanted fig tree, to spending the day at Vivonne Bay Beach, here are all the things to do on Kangaroo Island.
Can’t decide where to take your next mini-break? Why not check out one of Australia's most unique holiday destinations, the coastal and nature filled gem of South Australia, Kangaroo Island?
Perfect for a chilled escape, whether its a weekend away or a day trip from Adelaide, you can surround yourself with natural beauty, mesmerising wildlife, great food sourced locally and some of the best cellar doors and tasty wines you could ask for.
Before your book your flight or board the ferry, be sure to save this guide for the best things to do on Kangaroo Island that will guarantee an unforgettable trip.
Visit One of the Best Beaches in Australia
Experience the unexpected beauty of Stokes Bay, crowned Australia's best beach in 2023. Tucked away on Kangaroo Island's secluded North Coast, this hidden gem starts with a mysterious entrance, leading through massive boulders to reveal a tranquil beach with pounding surf and a protected rockpool. Perfect for families, the rockpool offers safe swimming and snorkeling, while the surf beach beckons surfers and beach fishers.
Sitchu Tip: Don't miss the nearby Rockpool Cafe for a taste of island delights - their fish and chips are scrumptious!
Spot Adorable Koalas at Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Home to diverse wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas, and echidnas, this sanctuary offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the island's natural beauty.
Take a stroll along scenic walking trails, marvel at the stunning coastal views, and experience the wonder of encountering native Australian wildlife in their natural habitat.
Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary promises an unforgettable back-to-nature experience, making it one of the best things to do on Kangaroo Island.
7797 South Coast Road, Karatta
Drive Along One of the Coolest Winding Roads in Australia
Kangaroo Island is full of spectacular drives, none more so than the winding stretch at Cape du Couedic in Flinders Chase National Park.
One of South Australia's most picturesque roads, this hidden gem truly comes alive in person. Recently shaped by bush fires, the landscape has taken on a new, yet nostalgic charm.
From the entrance, the road leads to Bunker Hill, offering sweeping vistas that stretch to Remarkable Rocks and the mesmerising Yakka flats. Standing atop this vantage point, one can't help but be awestruck by the vastness of Flinders Chase, a natural wonder begging to be explored and admired.
Discover Flinders Chase National Park
Not only home to some of the most breathtaking views and formations of Kangaroo Island such as the Remarkables, Flinders Chase National Park now symbolises community and rebuilding from nothing, following on from the devastating bushfires that burnt through 96% of the island in 2020. This is a magnificent national park, where you will likely encounter kangaroos, seals and plenty of bird life and breathtaking viewpoints on your travels.
For a gram-worthy pic, the windy road of Cape du Couedic Road just begs to be captured (see above).
Drive Along Emu Bay Beach
Have you ever driven a 4WD along impossibly white, smooth sand, with the crystal clear waters your companion to the side? At Emu Bay Beach, you can do exactly that. One of the best free things to do in Kangaroo Island, Emu Bay has long been regarded as one of the best beaches in South Australia, thanks to the pristine conditions, expansive shoreline and direct vehicle access. As Kangaroo Island is best explored with a vehicle, be sure to add a drive and a swim at Emu Bay to your itinerary, and if you're lucky, you may even spot some wildlife along the way.
Hamilton Drive, Emu Bay
Gastronomo's Enchanted Fig Tree
For one of the best experiences in Kangaroo Island, you cannot look past Gastronomo’s showstopping dining at The Enchanted Fig Tree. Bringing out the Island’s fairy tale feel, once upon a time a small fig tree was planted on Kangaroo Island to provide food. Over a century later, guests are now invited to settle in for lunch within the sun-dappled limbs of the 120-year-old tree beneath a canopy of shimmering leaves. Within the twisted limbs, you’ll sip on a welcome cocktail made with Kangaroo Island Spirits alongside delicious canapes. You will then venture through the ‘entrance’ of the tree into natural dining rooms, decked out with whimsical table settings. Sit down and enjoy a meal of native foraged foods in an enchanting setting you won't soon forget.
This experience is available in seasonal periods throughout spring, summer and autumn
6015 North Coast Road, Middle River, Kangaroo Island
Enjoy Lunch with a View
The team at Dudley Wines focus on tasteful wines, and while it isn't a full-blown restaurant, the views to mainland Australia at this family-owned venue make it a must-visit in Kangaroo Island. Settle into your sitting with a glass (or two) of 100% Kangaroo Island wine on the spacious lawn, enjoying woodfired pizzas hailed as some of the island's best, and seal the deal with the gluten-free choc fudge brownie we can't stop raving about. On top of this, you can browse local treasures like All Season’s clothing and KI artworks on site. Swing by the one-hole golf course for extra fun – a Dudley Wines experience is a Kangaroo Island treat.
1153 Cape Willoughby Road, Cuttlefish Bay
The Feast Kangaroo Island
Who’s ready for a lunch you won't soon forget? The Gastronomo design team is inviting you to get back in touch with nature with their one-of-a-kind dining experience called Sensorium.
Your eight-course tasting menu is made in front of you, with each course cooked over the flames, coal, or the smoke of an open fire pit set inside a historic sugar gum hut lit with flickering candlelight.
The intimate luncheons are hosted by Nick Hannaford and Benjamin Anthony, who together bring over 40 years of experience in designing and curating iconic special events and extraordinary dining experiences – big and small!
Featuring premium Kangaroo Island produce foraged and sourced from what is available that week. The event also encourages you to make new connections with whoever you are seated next to.
$295 per person, inclusive of food and wine pairing
Coast Road, Middle River
Relax on Vivonne Bay Beach
Work your way down to the south coast of Kangaroo Island and spend some time on one of the picturesque beaches the island has to offer. Voted one of Australia’s top beaches, Vivonne Bay offers stretches of white sand, sparkling blue water and is the perfect spot for a picnic or some surfing. Stock up on goodies from the General Store – complete with bottle shop, fish and chip counter.
Bayview Road, Vivonne Bay
Become Acquainted With A Cellar Door or Two
Cellar door galore is always a stone's throw away, and finding one for an afternoon of tasty drinks and unbeatable views is one of our favourite things to do in Kangaroo Island. Wine fan? Check out Bay of Shoal Wines. Fond of a pint? It’s Kangaroo Island Brewing for you. Maybe after an unforgettable day? Visit the famous Kangaroo Island Spirits cellar door for experiences including tasting right up to a gin blending course.
Lose Yourself In Lavender Heaven
Visit Emu Bay Lavender Farm and surround yourself with beautiful, fragrant floral bliss. Open year-round but in full bloom during the summer months, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, a cheeky tipple or afternoon tea before getting that perfect Instagram shot and taking home some sweet-smelling goods. One of our favourite things to do in Kangaroo Island, this lavendar farm is a sweet moment amongst your jam packed days here.
205 Emu Bay Road, Wisanger
Take an Ocean Safari
Living up to its name, Kangaroo Island boasts an abundance of wildlife, and we're not just talking about kangaroos, either. Book the whole gang into an unforgettable day trip on the Ocean Safari, where you’re offered a range of options including swimming with dolphins and seals, snorkelling, or staying on board and enjoying the sights from the boat. However you choose to explore the abundance of marine life, you'll be blown away by these friendly creatures on your journey.
From $88 per person
Sunbathe With The Seals
Keen to get more involved in ecotourism and want to check out some furry friends in their natural habitat? Take a trip to Seal Bay for a day of beautiful beaches, perfect BBQ spots, and to hang out with a whole load of Sealions. You’ll learn about the magnificent endangered species that inhabit the bay without a care in the world and how they’re being protected to stick around well into the future. If you prefer to go at your own pace, the self-guided boardwalk will be suited to you.
Seal Bay Road, Kangaroo Island
Treat Yourself to a Luxury Stay
Escape from everything in one of the four luxury, eco-aware WanderPods resting atop the northern bluff overlooking Snelling Beach on this magical island. Named after constellations only seen in the southern skies, and part of the Heavenly Waters family of stellar formations, their names relate to the great oceans, rivers, sea creatures and ships (the Carina, the Columba, the Vela and the Pyxis). Choose the perfect pod to suit your every need - they have wood-burning fires for cosiness, an outdoor bathtub and a private deck with panoramic views to catch the spectacular sunrise or sunset.
For a getaway that will truly change the way you look at luxury accommodation, One Kangaroo Island is a bucket list beauty worth its weight in sustainability and scenery.
Another unforgettable option is Stowaway. This boutique accommodation offers complete indulgence, luxury and seclusion. The views across the ocean, farmland and native bushland can be enjoyed across all four properties, all suited for couples and replete with hot tubs, saunas, wood fires and chic amenities.
Loving our guide to the best things to do on Kangaroo Island and inspired to plan your next getaway? Check out our favourite tiny cabins in South Australia or the best stylish stays in the Adelaide Hills. Or, if you're sticking to the city, check out the best stylish accommodation in Adelaide.
