KANGAROO ISLAND
GUIDE TO KANGAROO
ISLAND
Kangaroo Island is a nature-lover’s bonanza, with prolific native wildlife, dramatic coastal sightseeing, and bountiful farmlands.
Australia's very own 'zoo without fences', Kangaroo Island has all the elements for a perfect getaway.
"Kangaroo Island, 13 kilometres (eight miles) off the coast of South Australia and 30 minutes by plane from Adelaide, is one of the best places in Australia to see wild native animals, like koalas, kangaroos, sea lions and seals. Throw in some incredible geology and an easily accessed local food and beverage scene, and Kangaroo Island is a magnificent place for a self-drive holiday.
Named after the abundance of kangaroos found here by Matthew Flinders in 1803, Kangaroo Island is a tranquil and gorgeous island . An easy two-hour drive from Adelaide is Cape Jervis, from where a 50-minute ferry will get you to Penneshaw – the eastern part of the island. You could also take a bus from Adelaide and then take the ferry across and pick up a pre-booked hire car from Penneshaw. Another option is to fly from Adelaide to Kingscote and pick up your hire car from there. However you may choose to get here, once on Kangaroo Island, these are a few experiences you can’t miss".
HAPPY KANGAROOS
HUMAN FRIENDLY KOALA
WHERE TO SPOT
KANGAROOS IN
THE
WILD
With these tips, you’ll be hanging out with one of Australia's
most iconic animals in no time.
With around 50 million of them across the country – twice the number of residents – kangaroos are one of Australia’s most easily spotted native animals. Affectionately referred to as "roos", these bouncing herbivores are social creatures who typically lay low in the heat of the day and emerge at dawn and dusk to graze. Time your search right and you’re bound to see plenty. Here’s where to look.
ROOS ON THE BEACH
Fun fact"There are about 50 species of kangaroo in the world. The four main ones Down Under are the eastern grey, red, western grey and antilopine (antelope-like) kangaroo."
Humans aren’t the only creatures who like to feel the sand between their
toes; kangaroos regularly sun themselves at a handful of Australian beaches.
Arguably the most photogenic is Lucky Bay, in Western Australia’s Cape Le
Grand National Park. More easily accessible is Pebbly Beach in Murramarang
National Park on the New South Wales South Coast, or at the beach adjacent
to Diamond Head Campground in Crowdy Bay National Park, on
sun rises and sets.
ROOS ON ISLANDS
ROOS ON THE PLAINS
Perhaps most of all, kangaroos love flat, grassy plains and wide open spaces.
The Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra is a great inner-city
option for spotting kangaroos. Early morning is when the eastern greys are out
and about. Just outside the city, hundreds of
roos roam at Namadgi National Park. Three species of kangaroo can be found .
within the 540-million-year-old landscape of South
euro while
communities of roos laze beside one of the world’s tallest tree forests
in Pemberton, in Western Australia’s southwest.
Fun fact
"The biggest kangaroo, the red, can rise up to two metres (6.5 feet) tall and bound at 56 kilometres (34 miles) per hour."
ROOS IN TREES
Queensland’s elusive tree kangaroos are one of the more trickier kangaroo species to see. Hidden among the leafy canopy of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest, Australia’s two species look more like huge possums, with blackish-brown fur and super-long tails. These rare nocturnal creatures don’t move around much during the day, so your best bet for spotting one is to go on a night wildlife walk. Otherwise, head to Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas for a closer look.
"Is it possible ? Yes, it is".
ROOS IN VINEYARDS
It’s not uncommon to spot a kangaroo between the vineyard rows in any of Australia’s wine regions. There are loads in Western Australia’s Margaret River, while several wine tours in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales combine tastings with roo sightings. South Australia’s Barossa Valley is another hotspot, along with Canberra’s vineyards in the Australian Capital Territory.
ROOS ON GOLF COURSES
If you want a guarantee of seeing wild kangaroos, head to any golf course around Australia. Drawn to the well-watered grass, they love to nibble the greens and laze beneath shady trees. Queensland’s Noosa Golf Club, Victoria’s Anglesea Golf Club and the Australian Capital Territory’s Federal Golf Club are all strong roo magnets. In New South Wales, some golf clubs even offer kangaroo-spotting tours in a golf buggy, such as Hunter Valley Golf & Country Club and Nelson Bay Golf Club.
Top tip
"Keep your distance from wild kangaroos and never feed them. Learn more about experiencing Aussie wildlife responsibly."
BOXING KANGAROO
Fun Fact: People like us thinking that boxing means only fighting by hands but it is different for kangaroos. The horse has the most powerful sustained kick. A zebra has the most powerful single kick. The red kangaroo from Australia has a lightning fast double kick that can tear you open from sternum to top of legs. One kick of lightning speed and a force of 850 PSI.
WE ARE HOPPY TO MEET YOU
Here are some of our stories
"We love to eat by the hands of humans"
HEY!!
Here are our little human friend
What do you mean you ate all the leftovers!? 😲
“Is that the latest iPhone? I heard the camera quality is roo-ly good!” 😂
Hiking from the comfort of mum's pouch still counts as exercise, right?
Learning how to walk with mummy
“Umm hello… we’re right here!” 😳 Pimba and Sasha stole a quick smooch in front of joeys Priscilla and Elliot
Jumping into 2022 in style! 🦘 @rangersam_ spotted this @visitmackay local taking a dip at #CapeHillsborough, one of the most magical spots to watch the #sunrise and kick start the new year in @queensland. Add a ‘sunrise with the wallabies tour’ onto your new year resolutions list, so you can start your morning right by hanging out with #kangaroos and #wallabies along the shoreline. #seeaustralia #thisisqueensland #meetmackayregion #travel #wildlifephotography #happynewyear
Head up dear , core tight and breathe 😌🙏 @_markfitz captured these friendly #CapeHillsborough locals enjoying a #sunrise yoga session near @capehillsboroughtouristpark in @queensland. Drive 45-minutes north of @visitmackay to tick-off two Australian icons, #Kangaroo’s and a beautiful #beach to spend the day chilling out on! TIP: If you’re planning a visit, be sure to set your alarm as these #roo’s are known to congregate on the sand bright and early! #seeaustralia #thisisqueensland #meetmackayregion
Shh! Dwayne totally earned this nap after chest day. 🏋️
Squeeze in, guys, it’s family photo time in the @thegrampians! 📸
Joey feeding mum some breakfast and saying "eat mum, you work hard a day"
It’s karaoke Saturday at @ballaratwildlifepark and this joey is ready to shine. 🎤🎶🎵
When your food baby sticks out to say hi after a big lunch. 🙈 @lucycmfrancis spotted this fluffy #kangaroo at @visitadelaidehills’s #LongRidgeLookout, a great area for #wildlife-spotting in #ClelandConservationPark. Just 25 minutes from the @southaustralia capital, the conservation park is also home to @clelandwildlifepark, where you can pat and hand-feed these Aussie icons (and even hold a koala!). If you split your time wisely then you can visit the wildlife park and do a scenic hike around the hills in time for sunset. #seeaustralia #seesouthaustralia #adelaidehills #wildlifephotograph
CHRIS HEMSWORTH , A TRAVELLER'S WILDLIFE ADVENTURE ON KANGAROO ISLAND
Follow in Chris’s footsteps and journey across Kangaroo Island to explore its unparalleled beauty and unique inhabitants.
From natural attractions and foodie experiences to world-class accommodation and incredible native wildlife, there is so much to discover on Kangaroo Island. With the abundance of animals that call this paradise home, it’s easy to see how it has earned the nickname of Australia’s ‘natural zoo’. Head to the coastlines to spot whales and dolphins in the water and sea lions on the beach. Stroll through the bush and wetlands where you can spot koalas snoozing in the trees and kangaroos jumping through the scrub. If you’re lucky, you may even spot the elusive platypus. This spectacular island truly is one of Australia’s most incredible wildlife destinations.
GET UP CLOSE WITH DOLPHINS
The waters surrounding Kangaroo Island are teeming with marine life and are a popular playground for pods of wild bottlenose dolphins. Join an adventure tour, and swim, snorkel or marvel from the boat at these playful creatures. Safaris depart from Emu Bay and Kingscote, where you will travel along the remote stretch of stunning coastlines in search of friendly dolphins who can appear in pods from a few to in the hundreds.
Did you know?
Australian waters are swarming with magnificent marine life, with plenty of up-close underwater encounters available across the country.
BASK BESIDE THE SEA LIONS AT SEAL BAY
Be sure to spend a day at Seal Bay Conservation Park, where you can encounter the island’s most laidback residents and Australia's third-largest colony of sea lions. Learn about this species from experienced guides on a guided tour, where you’ll be taken down on to the beach for a close-up encounter. You can also take a self-guided stroll along the boardwalk to the lookout, where you can watch the sea lions and their pups bask and frolic along the bay.
CAST A LINE AND GET FISHY
Kangaroo Island is an incredible fishing destination for chasing tuna and King George whiting. Chris joined a charter with Kangaroo Island Fishing Adventures and got the full fishing experience, heading out at dawn to the southern seas and enjoying a day of casting and hooking with expert guidance. The waters are rich in species including pink snapper, tuna, queen snapper, Samson fish, yellowtail kingfish and the prized King George whiting.
ENCOUNTER WILD KANGAROOS
It wouldn’t be a visit to Kangaroo Island without spotting a few kangaroos and tammar wallabies. Kangaroo Island kangaroos are distinct to mainland species with their longer, darker fur. You can find wild ones hopping across the island’s scenic conservation parks. Some of the best spots for spotting kangaroos include Black Swamp in Flinders Chase National Park and Grassdale in Kelly Hill Conservation Park. For an authentic adventure experience, join a wilderness trail and get up close to the island’s kangaroos and other epic wildlife while exploring the beautiful bushland and coastal scenery alongside expert guides.
CUDDLE A KOALA
Koalas are arguably Australia’s cutest native marsupials. They spend most of the day resting and eating high up in eucalyptus trees. If you fancy giving a koala a cuddle just like Chris, then the best way to encounter them is with a visit to Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park near the centre of the island.
"So, what are you doing at home , just come out and fell the wildness of mother nature in Australia like ever before".
REASONS KANGAROO ISLAND WILL LEAVE YOU MESMERISED
SEAL THE DEAL AT SEAL BAY CONSERVATION PARK
A 40-minute drive south from Kingscote will bring you to the southern coast of Kangaroo Island which is home to endangered Australian sea lions. They can be seen resting in the sun and nursing their young after feeding for three days at sea. Others, in true Aussie style, ride the waves onto the beach. If you join a guided tour, you can walk on the beach to within metres of them, or view them from the boardwalk.
DRINK IN THE VIEW AT VIVONNE BAY
Just 23 kilometres (14 miles) from the Seal Bay Conservation Park is Vivonne Bay. Absolutely drop-dead gorgeous, the bay’s long curved sandy beach is a superb site for picnics, beach combing, or fishing. If you’re an experienced surfer you can enjoy the awesome turquoise waters. This bay is also a safe harbour and is the base for cray and game fishing boats.
DON’T SLEEP TOO DEEP..
Kangaroo Island’s wild nature and fresh air will have you sleeping well at night, but don’t miss out on the after-dark activities. Experience an enchanting dinner by candlelight in Lifetime Private Retreats’ rustic shearing shed, or opt for a private beach dinner in the summer months (December to February). Don’t forget to look up to see South Australia’s brilliant stars come out. As the temperature cools down for the evening, the island’s wildlife becomes even more active. On a nocturnal wildlife tour, you’ll discover the animals that come out after dark, like owls, possums and even wallabies.
EXPLORE FLINDERS CHASE NATIONAL PARK
Located at the western end of Kangaroo Island, Flinders Chase National Park is one of Australia’s largest parks covering 74,000 hectares of untouched bushland. The park is home to a variety of fauna including Kangaroo Island kangaroos, koalas, tammar wallabies and the endangered Cape Barren geese, and considered to be one of South Australia’s most significant parks due to its natural state and wildlife. Remember to drive slowly through it and you’ll be rewarded with great sightings of the wildlife that populate this park and island.
VISIT THE REMARKABLE ROCKS AND ADMIRAL’S ARCH
A 20-minute drive south from the resort will take you to Kirkpatrick, 23 kilometres (14 miles) away – home to an impressive natural formation which appears to be a cluster of precariously balanced boulders. This extraordinary geological feature is aptly named the Remarkable Rocks, and is located within the Flinders Chase National Park. Nearby is Admirals Arch, another of nature's wild sculptures, where fur seals can be seen frolicking in the waters or resting on the rocks.
TOP THINGS TO DO ON KANGAROO ISLAND
Walk among sea lions
At , walk among the Australian sea lion colony, watching mothers rest, pups playing and males squabbling. Stroll the short boardwalk independently, or join a guided tour to learn about these endangered animals.
Eat your way around the island
With fertile farms and pristine ocean, the island is a foodie’s delight. Sample pure Ligurian-bee honey, taste a ‘Chatter Platter’ from Millie Mae’s pantry, or local oysters and King George whiting at The Oyster Farm Shop.
Explore the Little Sahara sand dunes
Visit the sand dunes of to explore your way. For thrills and spills, slide down on a toboggan or sandboard. Try a guided tour on a fat bike, or strap in for an open buggy tour through the dunes, spotting koalas in trees.
Dine under an enchanted fig tree
A fig tree planted on Kangaroo Island more than 100 years ago has grown to become an . From December to April, savour a delicious meal surrounded by gnarled branches and dazzling fairy lights for a magical experience.
Frolic in a lavender field
Visit , a working farm where you’ll find over 7,500 lavender plants grown to produce essential oils for handmade therapeutic goods. Stop in at the farm café for breakfast, lunch or over-sized lavender scones.
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