Top Things to do in Kangaroo Island
The 10 Best Nature & Wildlife Areas in Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Kangaroo Island is the epitome of variety, ripe with pristine beaches, historic lighthouses, conservation land, underground caves, rare honeybees, gourmet local delicacies and… penguins. Book a tour with the Kangaroo Island Penguin Centre to watch these tuxedoed darlings waddle along the water, then tuck into a hearty dinner featuring native ingredients like rich sheep’s-milk cheese, freshwater marron, olive oil and boutique wine. The island’s art galleries showcase the woodworking, glass-blowing and furniture-making talents of local craftsmen.
Restaurants in Kangaroo Island
1. Raptor Domain
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 954 reviews
OPEN 10:00-4:00 Daily inc Public Holidays (Closed Christmas Day) Raptor Domain is a rehabilitation education centre and is the Ultimate, Interactive Wildlife Experience. We do not display animals in cages. Interaction and viewing of animals only during presentations. Venom Pit Presentation: 10:30 45 min This is an amazing look at Venom and the creatures that use it. ENTER IF YOU DARE!! Birds of Prey Presentations: 11:30 and 2:30 1hr Join us for an inspiring, interactive and educational experience. Get up close and personal with some of our beautiful Birds of Prey. Owls,Falcons,Eagles,Kookaburras and much more. Put on a glove and have our birds fly to you. Or hold our majestic eagle for a photo. Fang-Tastic Reptile presentation 1:00pm 45min Hold and enjoy an up close and personal experience with some of Australia's enchanting reptiles. Join us for 1,2 or all 3 presentations. Great photo opportunities, Fun for the whole family. Pre show order system for Food available.
Reviewed By hawkoadventures
We thoroughly enjoyed our time here. Very hands on allowing you to hold the snakes and lizards. Exceptional bird show with fantastic information and again interactive with the birds sitting on your knee and able to hold the falcon or wedge tail eagle. Great people working there, so friendly.
2. Will's Rare Breeds Farm
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 58 reviews
The Rare Breeds Farm is a unique collection of rare and unusual breeds of domesticated farm animals, many on the brink of extinction and not on public displays any where else in the world. Come on down and take a tour of the farm and learn more about these interesting and rare animals.
Reviewed By DrPhantom
Excellent and unique experience!! Will is so friendly and knowledgeable - not just the "rare breeds" but also the common animals. It is an eye opener with all the hardwork that he puts in, demonstrating his passion and enthusiasm in this field. It is an wonderful experience that I would strongly recommend. And the timing was perfect that we ended up having the opportunity to bottle-feed the gorgeous baby lambs! :)
3. Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 63 reviews
Nature’s drama unfolds at every step of the 66 kilometre five-day trek, with the trail weaving its way through the most botanically unique area in all of South Australia before reaching the rugged, remote and spectacular coastline of the Southern Ocean. The unimaginable beauty of this part of the world has to be seen to be believed. Come and discover the magic for yourself.
Reviewed By joannep79
My sister and I did the trail back in April. We are experienced hikers, have done numbers of multi-day backpacking hikes and are in our early 50s. The KI Wilderness Trail isn't very challenging physically (no long, steep hills) but is an extremely enjoyable five days, broken into comfortable length hiking days. The coastal scenery is great and we loved the vegetation, but those who don't care for plants might not find it so exciting. We saw kangaroos, Tammar wallabies, koalas, Rosenburg goannas, seals, red robins, bright orange crabs, anemones, an echidna and a rouge possum at one of the camps. The facilities are new and well-maintained, with good water supplies at each campsite. The campsites are well-spaced and in interesting vegetation. There were 11 independent hikers and no guided hikers when we did the trail, and while you could easily choose not to socialise, we had a great time each evening with the other hikers. We never saw the day hikers, although we believe there were a few. This would be an awesome, entry level multi-day hike, but also very enjoyable for those more experienced hikers. We thoroughly enjoyed our five days on the Trail. Be warned though, that there are extremely exposed sections that could be very unpleasant if there was an icy, southerly wind blowing (most common in winter).
4. kangaroo island Admiral Arch
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By mandykeu - Adelaide, Australia
Thousands of seals and pups playing on the rocks. A highlight of our visit. Worth the drive. Magnificent ocean views.
5. Seal Bay Conservation Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,002 reviews
Seal Bay offers one of the most exceptional nature-based experiences in the world. Fees are invested into ongoing research and conservation efforts and through these efforts we hope to preserve the natural habitat of a wild Australian sea lion colony for generations to come. Our tours are designed to suit a wide variety of visitors - you can stay all day if you want to! There are no enclosures or cages at Seal Bay. Instead, you will be taken into the heart of the colony where our experienced guides will teach you more about these endangered animals. Visitors given a unique insight into how these endangered animals fish, surf, rest, interact with their pups and defend their territory.If you prefer, you can set your own pace on the wheelchair accessible 300 metre boardwalk which meanders through the dunes to a number of viewing platforms.
Reviewed By giddyin0z - Adelaide, Australia
Yes, you can see New Zealand Fur Seals at Admirals Arch in Flinders Chase National Park for free (once you have paid for your Parks Pass). And it is definitely not cheap to visit Seal Bay. However, I still think it is worth it! If you do the self-guided tour at Seal Bay, you see Australian Sea Lions quite close from the boardwalk. Much closer than I've ever seen the Fur Seals at Admirals Arch. If you can afford the guided tour, you get to walk on the beach, hear about the Sea Lions, can ask your guide all the questions you like, and the self-guided walk on the boardwalk is included in the price as well. I've done the tour twice by now, with a few years inbetween, and it is still a highlight to me. The guides I had were knowledgeable and passionate. I definitely recommend visiting Seal Bay.
6. Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 481 reviews
Reviewed By SallyGolightly884 - Cherry Hill, United States
Well, not really, but it felt like it. It’s amazing to see them in their natural state, in a preserved habitat, with minimal predators. They just...do their thing and don’t worry about us. We did the nocturnal tour during cool and windy weather (15 C), and had the benefit of a long sunset and full moon to keep things illuminated, so to speak*. We luckily also had only 5 people on our tour, giving it an intimate feel. Our guides Sarah and Olivia were engaging and knowledgeable - it was clear that they care about the preservation of the wildlife and habitat. The Wildlife was plentiful - 3+ echidnas, roos too numerous to be counted, Cape Barren geese vocalizing their concerns about and to us, the Ligurian bee hives, termite mounds, bull ants, possums, wallabies and koalas. Oh, so many koalas (don’t stand underneath them, btw) - vocalizing, climbing, eating, and just being their goofy selves. My husband and I are both animal lovers, and this is one of the highlights of our whole trip. I’d wholeheartedly recommend to anyone visiting western KI. Oh, and drive safely on the island. The roos are *everywhere.* *Also, we carried torches in case of darkness.
7. Kelly Hill Conservation Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 318 reviews
Reviewed By jpgrygus - Adelaide, Australia
Great place to bring the kids for the short tour. We had an amazing guide called Gemma (hope name is spelt right). Very knowledgeable, highly educational and amazing history. Watch for when the lights go out! (While you're waiting for the tour go echidna spotting in the bush)
8. Little Sahara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 245 reviews
Little Sahara is a system of naturally occurring coastal blowout dunes located on the south coast of Kangaroo Island. Formed over the last 7000 years as a result of storms and erosion after a major fire, the sand dunes of Little Sahara covers approximately two square kilometers in the gazetted locality of Vivonne Bay and vary in size from approximately 70 meters above sea level. To ensure it’s preservation for future generations, Little Sahara has been heritage listed since the 1970’s and the property is privately owned. It is through the generosity of the owner that tourist are permitted to visit the site.
Reviewed By AngelaB2775
Went on the Dune buggy tour with my Mum,Dad,sister & daughter,& we had the most amazing time.Locky was our guide for the one hour tour,& he was very informative about the region.He was an exceptional driver too,& made sure that we were all looked after.Can't recommend this place enough to anyone visiting KI.
