10 Things To Do In Kangaroo Island, Australia

One of the most remote and visually stunning places in Australia has to be Kangaroo Island. Located off the coast of South Australia, this small island is home to rugged coastlines, amazing natural landscapes, a wide variety of flora and fauna and some of the country’s best gourmet delicacies. There is so much to see and do here; why not take a few days to relax by the sea and check out these top 10 things to do on Kangaroo Island.

 

 

1. Go hiking at Flinders Chase National Park

One of Australia’s more unique national parks, the Flinders Chase National Park is simply breathtaking. Spread over 32,600 hectares, the park has three different sections. There is Cape du Couedic and Rocky River to the south, the Gosse Lands in the north east and Cape Borda Light station to the north-west, where you can even stay in a quaint cottage.

This National Park in Australia has some incredible rock formations and if you are lucky, you might even get to see some New Zealand Fur Seals playing amongst them on the beach. It is also not uncommon to see kangaroos, platypus, koalas and goannas (Australian lizards).

2. Watch the seals at Seal Bay Conservation Park

Australian sea lions are an endangered species and Kangaroo Island is one of the few places where you can still see them frolicking in their natural environment. The Seal Bay Conservation Park has been designed to protect and nurture these gorgeous animals.

Take a guided tour down to the beach to get up close and personal with the sea lions or walk along the 800-metre boardwalk to observe them from a distance. Here, you will pass imposing limestone cliffs, sand dunes and see the isolated Australian coastline at its rugged best.

 

 

3. See the penguins at Kangaroo Island Penguin Centre

I am a self-confessed penguin fan so I never miss an opportunity to see a penguin in the wild. There is something special about these little birds that waddle along the beach and glide so gracefully under water. The Kangaroo Island Penguin Centre gives you the opportunity to view these fascinating creatures at close range. You can take a tour of the Penguin Colony; the best time to do this is in the evening as that is when the penguins return from a day of fishing to settle into their burrows.

The Penguin Centre also has a Saltwater Aquarium where you can see other marine life and learn about how they interact with the penguin colonies.

4. Learn about local produce at the Kangaroo Island Farmers Market

Kangaroo Island has some of Australia’s freshest produce and gourmet food. The local Farmers Market is the perfect place to try some of the specialities of the region and perhaps pick up a few items to take home. Held on the first Sunday of each month at Penneshaw, the Kangaroo Island Farmers Market is also a great place to meet some of the locals who live and work on the Island.

Some of the delicacies you can find here include freshly pressed olive oil, organic honey, fresh water crayfish, sheep’s yoghurt, sticky figs and even curry pastes. There are some special artisan producers who will no doubt be happy to explain to you the unique techniques they use in cultivating or making their products.

5. Explore the caves at Kelly Hill Conservation Park

The Kelly Hill Conservation Park has some wonderful native bush land to explore but the real attraction here is its maze of caves. To learn more about the caves, it is best to take a guided tour that will lead you through the dramatic looking structures. Just watch your head as the impressive stalactites and straws that jut out from the ceiling can take you by surprise!

These astonishing dry limestone caves are like an adventure maze to explore, great fun for young and old. Above ground, the Kelly Hill Conservation Park also has some great day hikes such as the Hanson Bay Hike or Burgess Hike, where you can explore the lush forest and stare in awe of the huge gum trees that have stood for centuries.

6. See the Remarkable Rocks

One of the natural wonders of Kangaroo Island, the Remarkable Rocks are located in the Flinders Chase National Park. Made of granite that is believed to be over 500 million years old, the rocks have been shaped over time by weather and erosion. You can even see some photos taken in the 19^th century that show how these natural landmarks continue to be impacted by the harsh environment.

The shape and size of the rocks are truly remarkable with some even resembling giant chairs that are almost comfortable enough to relax in.  Just be careful when exploring the rocks as the area can be slippery and there is a steep drop towards the sea. It is also not unusual for the waves to come crashing up, spraying the rocks and you!

7. Visit Admirals Arch

Another incredible rock formation at Kangaroo Island is Admirals Arch.  Located at Cape Du Couedic, this natural arch has been sculpted into its perfect shape over thousands of year. The effects of erosion continue to change the structure, making it a living, natural sculpture. Wander along the viewing platforms and boardwalk so that you can get a closer glimpse.

8. Learn all about sweet stuff at Clifford’s Honey Farm

Honey is one of those delicious nectars that tastes good in almost anything. You can learn all about how this precious liquid is extracted at Clifford’s Honey Farm, where they have been creating honey from hives for 40 years. The farm has about 300 beehives and extracts a staggering 20 tonnes of honey every year.

If you don’t fancy getting too close to a bee, why not just relax at the cafe and enjoy some creamy honey ice cream. The store also sells other products such as beeswax candles that make a great gift.

9. Learn how to make Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil was one of Australia’s first export products. It has many cosmetic and medicinal uses; the humble eucalyptus oil can act as antiseptic, help you breath better and even relieve the pain of arthritis.  Made from the dried leaves of eucalyptus trees, you can actually see how this healing ointment is made at Kangaroo Island. Emu Ridge is a commercial eucalyptus distillery that has been producing this elixir for the past 20 years.

The distillery has a strong ethos of ensuring environmental sustainability, working with the land to ensure that eucalyptus trees are not exploited. Spending a few hours at this distillery is quite an interesting experience and you can even relax with a cup of tea and chat with the owners about their business and life.

10. See the Birds of Prey

Australia is renowned for being home to some rather dangerous animals such as snakes and spiders but few know about its incredible birds of prey. You can learn more about these spectacular animals of flight at the Raptor Domain in Kangaroo Island.

The complex has 10 birds of prey including wedge-tailed eagles, barn owls, kestrels, falcons and a tawny frogmouth. There are also some cute kookaburras that are a favourite with the younger audience. Most of the birds have been rescued from the wild and rehabilitated here.

There are two shows every day of the year so there is no reason to miss out. You can also learn more about cold-blooded reptiles here at the daily Reptile Show.

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