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The Remarkable Rocks, Kangaroo Island

No. 21 25 Great Islands to Visit 2026

Kangaroo Island

South Australia, Australia

Wildlife in the wild: sea lions, kangaroos and koalas on Australia's third-largest island.

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Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Kangaroo Island lies off the coast of South Australia, south-west of Adelaide. Much of it is protected, and it is one of the best places in Australia to see wildlife in natural habitats.

Large parts of the island burned in the 2019–2020 bushfires; forests and wildlife have been recovering since.

New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) female with suckling pup Kangaroo Island
New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) female with suckling pup Kangaroo Island. Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Cape Barren goose (Cereopsis novaehollandiae) Kangaroo Island
Cape Barren goose (Cereopsis novaehollandiae) Kangaroo Island. Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Kangaroo Island Western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus) male
Kangaroo Island Western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus) male. Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn are mild. Summer is warm and dry; winter is cooler with some rain, but wildlife is easily seen all year.

Highlights

  • 1

    Seal Bay

    Guided walks among a colony of Australian sea lions.

  • 2

    Remarkable Rocks

    Wind-sculpted granite boulders in Flinders Chase National Park.

  • 3

    Admirals Arch

    A rock arch with a colony of New Zealand fur seals.

  • 4

    Local produce

    Wineries, honey and seafood from the island.

Getting there

SeaLink ferries from Cape Jervis, about 2 hours' drive from Adelaide, take about 45 minutes. Flights from Adelaide land at Kingscote.

Practical tips

Opening & tickets
Opening times, ticket rules and transport timetables change, so check official information before you go.
Time needed
Two to three days.

Official information: South Australian Tourism Commission: Kangaroo Island. Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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