Kangaroo Island was the place that first sold me on the idea of moving to Australia. On my first trip there, I didn’t have to look hard to see some of the country’s most iconic species: mobs of kangaroos basking in the sun; koalas dozing high in eucalyptus trees; and huge wedge-tailed eagles soaring through the sky. I was surrounded by wilderness that was unbridled, yet incredibly accessible.
So, when I first returned to Kangaroo Island following 2020’s catastrophic bushfires – which charred nearly half the 4405-sq-km (1700-sq-mile) South Australian island – I was afraid to see what had become of the place I held so dear.
What I found was a landscape awash in shoots of fresh green life; a testament to its resiliency. Its residents, too, are a resilient bunch, who are redefining the island’s future with award-winning distilleries and al fresco dining experiences. The Southern Ocean Lodge – which had to be rebuilt from the ground up after being destroyed by the fires – has just reopened and later this year, it will be joined by a brand-new Flinders Chase National Park Visitor Centre.
It's not the Kangaroo Island I remember from my first visit. Like a phoenix, it’s being transformed into something even better.
Ready to plan your trip to Kangaroo Island? Here are some of our suggestions for what not to miss.
You can get there by plane or ferry, but opt for the 75-minute ferry for a more eco-friendly option. There are also day trips from Adelaide.
Spend five days exploring the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. In December 2023, this 66km (41 mile) trail – offering unparalleled access to the rugged and spectacular coastline – reopened for the first time since the 2020 bushfires.
Swim in the sheltered rock pool at Stokes Bay. This hidden beach – accessed at low tide through a series of rock tunnels – regularly rates as one of Australia’s best.
Visit Flinders Chase National Park, one of Southern Australia’s top national parks. Walk to the platypus waterholes at dusk or dawn to see one of Australia’s most unusual animals foraging.
Become a top mixologist at Kangaroo Island Spirits. Book in advance to create your own gin blend at the island’s award-winning distillery.
Kangaroo Island
A mere 75-minute ferry from the mainland, Kangaroo Island is deceptively vast with a ridiculous amount of stunning coastline. It invites guests to indulge in its unique local produce, encounter adorable wildlife and discover some of the country's best beaches.
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