Things to Do on Kangaroo Island

Our list of things to do on Kangaroo Island gives you plenty of options for what to see during your stay. We recommend at least three to four days to see and do everything on this list. And this time will also allow you to see it all at a comfortable pace.

If you have less time, we recommending using this list to pick a few things that most interest you. Make sure you also consider the order in which you see them based on where they’re located. Kangaroo Island is a lot bigger than most people realise, so being organised will help you maximise your time.

Seal Bay

Walking on the sand with the Sea Lions at Seal Bay - Things to Do on Kangaroo Island - The Trusted Traveller
Walking on the sand with the Sea Lions at Seal Bay

There are two ways to get up close with the Australian Sea Lions that live at Seal Bay. Firstly, you can walk the 900 m fully wheelchair accessible boardwalk to lookout points where you’ll see the Sea Lions on the beach. And if you’re lucky you might even see them making their way up the sand dunes and under the boardwalk.

A big bull Sea Lion scratching himself in the sand at Seal Bay - Things to Do on Kangaroo Island - The Trusted Traveller
A big bull Sea Lion scratching himself in the sand at Seal Bay

However for something a little more special and unique, there’s also the opportunity to walk down on the beach with an expert guide. The guide takes you down a pathway, through a private enclosed boardwalk and down on the beach where its possible to literally come face to face with these intriguing creatures.

Address: Seal Bay Road

Cost: For the full experience – Adults $35.00, Concession $27.00, Child $20.00 | Just the self-guided boardwalk – Adults $16.00, Concession $13.00, Child $10.00

Hours: Open 09:00 – 17:00 everyday (18:00 during summer holidays) | Tours run at least once an hour but check the website below for exact timings.

More Information: http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/sealbay/home

Raptor Domain

Getting up close with a Blue-winged Kookaburra at the Raptor Domain - Things to Do on Kangaroo Island - The Trusted Traveller
Getting up close with a Blue-winged Kookaburra at the Raptor Domain

At the Raptor Domain they run three different types of presentations a day, showcasing not just birds, but venomous and creepy crawly creatures too. The In-Flight Birds of Prey show is the most popular and showcases a range of raptors and other birds allowing you to appreciate them through learning more about how they survive in the wild.

Makari the White-bellied Sea-eagle at the Raptor Domain - Things to Do on Kangaroo Island - The Trusted Traveller
Makari the White-bellied Sea-eagle at the Raptor Domain

The Venom Pit presentation allows you to get up close with local deadly snake species and the world’s second most deadly spider in an interactive and educational environment. And if that’s not enough creepy crawls for you, check out their Fang-Tastic Reptile Show where you might like to hold a snake or lizard while you learn more about these miss understood reptiles.

Address: Corner of Seal Bay and South Coast Road

Cost: Birds of Prey – Adults $18.00, Child $12.00 | Fang-Tastic or Venom Pit – Adults $12.00, Child $10.00 | All Presentations – Adults $38.00, Child $28.00

Hours: All presentations run daily – Venom Pit 10:30 | Birds of Prey 11:30 & 14:30 | Fang-Tastic 13:00

More Information: http://www.kangarooislandbirdsofprey.com.au/

Flinders Chase National Park

The Remarkable Rocks in Flinders Chase National Park - Things to Do on Kangaroo Island - The Trusted Traveller
The Remarkable Rocks in Flinders Chase National Park

Flinders Chase National Park is must do on your Kangaroo Island itinerary. It is home to many of the iconic sights that you might associate with Kangaroo Island like the Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch, Cape Bourda Lighthouse and many fantastic walking trails. The park is all about rugged untamed beauty with towering cliffs tumbling into the raging sea below and a wind-blown landscape, home to an abundance of wildlife.

Cape Bourda Lighthouse in Flinders Chase National Park - Things to Do on Kangaroo Island - The Trusted Traveller
Cape Bourda Lighthouse in Flinders Chase National Park

Check out our article completely dedicated to Flinders Chase National Park for a full list of what to see and do in the park.

Address: Access to the park is via either the South Coast Road or the Playford and West End Hwy’s.

Cost: One Day Entry – Adult $11.00, Concession $9.00, Child $6.00 | Two Day Entry – Adult $16.00, Concession $13.00, Child $10.00 | Family passes also available.

Hours: The park is open 24/7 with the Visitor Centre open 09:00 – 17:00 daily.

More InformationNational Parks South Australia

Cape Willoughby Lighthouse

Cape Willoughby Lighthouse - Things to Do on Kangaroo Island - The Trusted Traveller
Cape Willoughby Lighthouse

Located in Cape Willoughby Conservation Park on the eastern tip of the island, Cape Willoughby Lighthouse was the very first lighthouse in South Australia. Like most lighthouses, Cape Willoughby was built to help prevent shipwrecks off the rocky coast of the island.

Stunning views from Cape Willoughby Lighthouse - Things to Do on Kangaroo Island - The Trusted Traveller
Stunning views from Cape Willoughby Lighthouse

At the lighthouse you can choose to either join a guided tour with a park ranger which allows you to walk up into the lighthouse, or you can just explore the grounds at your leisure and browse the small museum detailing the lighthouses history. Either way the views are amazing.

Address: Cape Willoughby Road, 27 km east of Penneshaw

Cost: Guide Tour – Adult $16.00, Concession $13.00, Child $10.00 | Self-guided – $3.00 per person

Hours: 09:00 – 15:30 daily | Tour run 3 – 5 times per day depending on the season. Check the website below for exact times.

More InformationNational Parks South Australia

Taste Local Produce

My Koala honey at Clifford's Honey - Things to Do on Kangaroo Island - The Trusted Traveller
My Koala honey at Clifford’s Honey

Kangaroo Island is home to some of Australia’s best quality locally made produce, so you’d be crazy not to try at least a few things while you’re there. Produce ranges from locals grow and made wine, honey, lavender, seafood, spirits and dairy, just to name a few.

Sheep at Island Pure Sheep Dairy - Things to Do on Kangaroo Island - The Trusted Traveller
Sheep at Island Pure Sheep Dairy

There are dozens of farm gates and cellar doors around the island. Here are a few we visited and can recommend are:

  • Sunset Winery – full body fruity wines that you can enjoy with a local food platter on the deck overlooking Eastern Cove.
  • Clifford’s Honey Farm – Kangaroo Island is home to a unique type of bee that produces beautiful honey which you can taste and buy at Clifford’s.
  • Island Pure Sheep Dairy – try and buy sheep dairy items like cheese and milk as well as other locally produced condiments.

More Information: Check out the Kangaroo Island Food & Wine Association website who have details of all the producers as well as suggested farm gate and cellar door itineraries.

Take a Scenic Drive

Stunning Kingscote, the perfect place to start a scenic drive - Things to Do on Kangaroo Island - The Trusted Traveller
Stunning Kingscote, the perfect place to start a scenic drive

Kangaroo Island is simply one of the most stunning places we have been on our travels to date and because of this it is a great place to just explore by scenic drive. Take a few hours to just simply drive around and you’ll discover hidden bays, spot shy wildlife, and just get away from the tourist crowds and really have a true island experience.

Waiting for the sun to set at Stokes Bay - Things to Do on Kangaroo Island - The Trusted Traveller
Waiting for the sun to set at Stokes Bay

We recommend taking an afternoon drive on the North Coast Highway west from Kingscote to explore this rarely visited part of the island. Stop in at Emu Bay for beautiful untouched beaches and time your arrival at Stokes Bay for sunset. Then head south to Parndana and the Parndana Pub where you can join the locals for a meal and a drink. Their Sunday roast is something special!

Take a scenic drive on Kangaroo Island - Things to Do on Kangaroo Island - The Trusted Traveller


More Details on Visiting Kangaroo Island

The above, and many more things to do on Kangaroo Island can be enjoyed as part of a Self-Drive Kangaroo Island package or Kangaroo Island tour with SeaLink Kangaroo Island.

For more information on the Kangaroo Island ferry and getting around the island, check out our getting around guide.


Disclaimer: Thank you to SeaLink Kangaroo Island for hosting me. As always, all opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Over to you!

What are you most interested in see and doing from this list of things to do on Kangaroo Island?

Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.

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3 thoughts on “Things to Do on Kangaroo Island”

  1. Wonderfull photos- thank you for the memories! I was there last year and I loved Kangaroo Island. The Remakable Rocks and Seal Bay are amazing – but my favorite Place is Hanson Bay!
    Greetings from Germany
    Sabine

    Reply

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