Exploring Kangaroo Island, SA

For a truly magical experience, visit South Australia’s Kangaroo Island in your motorhome.

We may be biased, but we believe there are few places on earth as beautiful as South Australia’s Kangaroo Island. Covering 4405sq km, it’s a natural, rugged island with native animals, nature reserves, bushland, beaches and rock formations. There’s plenty to see and do, and there’s not many better ways to see it all than in a motorhome. Once on the island, you can explore the incredible Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail — a five-day, 61km hike through the Flinders Chase National Park. This trek isn’t for the faint-hearted but the views more than make up for it. Read on to find out more about this remarkable island.

Getting there

Just 110km from Adelaide, it takes about two hours to get to the island on a road following the coastline, hugging the cliffs before winding around the hills back into farmland. Norfolk pines stand guard along the coastal sections — a remnant from original settlement days when immigrants were given seeds to indicate European communities.

If you don’t own your own boat, the easiest way to get onto the island is via the SeaLink ferry. It transports cars and other vehicles from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula across Backstairs Passage to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island. The SeaLink ferry runs every day except Christmas Day.

Island facts and figures

At 155km long and up to 55km wide, Kangaroo Island is much bigger than most people expect. About 80 per cent of the roads are unsealed and there is only one road grader on the island. It’s important to check road conditions with the locals before heading out on dirt or limestone roads. Most roads are fine from our experience but there may be some persistent corrugations.

Owing to its name, Kangaroo Island is home to a whopping 45,000 kangaroos and about a million Tammar wallabies. They are mostly found sheltered in the scrub to escape the heat. The best times to see these native species is at dusk and dawn, but also remember to be cautious on the roads at these times as they love to congregate there. Also watch for Rosenberg’s goannas, koalas, echidnas, Australian sea lions and New Zealand fur seals. Plus, there are 250 bird species found on the island, including little penguins, rare black cockatoos and one of the world’s largest birds of prey, the wedge-tailed eagle. We must also mention that there are only two types of snakes on Kangaroo Island, the pygmy copperhead and tiger snake … and yes, they’re both deadly.

Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail

Before embarking on this monster 61km-long trail, it’s important to know what to expect. Particularly, you must consider all the gear that is required for the length of the walk and of course, the level of physical fitness required. In terms of what you will need to bring (and carry), think a swag (or tent), sleeping bag, clothes, food and cooking gear for five days. Campsites along the way are well equipped with shelters, toilets and water, and some offer raised platforms for swags. When packing for the trail, remember to keep in mind that it can get cold at night (despite being hot during the day) and that you’ve got to tackle the elements of a naked island.

If the idea of camping after walking all day is not your jam, you can opt for a more ‘luxurious’ journey by staying at Fiona and Mark Jago’s Western KI Caravan Park, located just outside Flinders Chase National Park. They offer a service where you hike by day but stay in a real bed each night. Fabulously, they also offer daily transfers to and from different sections of the trail.

Now, before you step foot on the trail, a safety briefing at the park is a must. Also, no negotiations, you must take water, a hat, sunscreen and a snake bite kit. It’s also important to know what to expect, for example, the terrain varies and there are parts made of limestone rocks and patches of sand, plus the ground is uneven with ledges and holes and it’s quite steep in sections. With regards to what to expect from the scenery, it’s many shades of green — mostly olive and dark colours with a few patches of bright green. The coastal views are stunning, and they’re only enhanced by the fact there’s no sight or sound of another soul … except maybe your hiking partner/group.

Where to stay

For the sake of this article, we’ve narrowed down four premier places to stay on the island:

Western KI Caravan Park — a beautiful private park with its own koala and lagoon walks, 40 powered sites ($35 per night), 40 unpowered sites ($30 per night) and 11 cabins ($120–145 per night). The park also boasts a camp kitchen, small shop, two amenities blocks, laundry and transfers to the Wilderness Trail. Phone (08) 8559 7201 or check out the Discovery Holiday Parks website for more information.

Seafront Holiday Park in Penneshaw — overlooking the alluring Hog Bay beach, this private park includes eco luxury glamping tents, bell tents, ocean view villas and powered campsites. Amenities include a covered barbecue area, newly renovated amenities block, laundry service and firepit. Phone (08) 8553 1028 or check out the Seafront Holiday Park website for more information.

Vivonne Bay Campground — this is a council-run camping area with great sites and facilities. Some $27 (per night) powered sites contain pay stations on-site. They do not take bookings and access is via a dirt road on Jetty Rd.

Kingscote Tourist Park & Family Units — privately owned, this quirky park has plenty of powered sites for $41 per night (unpowered sites from $33 per night), cabins, suites, cottages, an open-air camp kitchen and an oldish but clean amenities block. Phone (08) 8553 2394 or check out the Kingscote Tourist Park website for more information.

THE NEXT STEP

Are you ready to experience the freedom of the open road? Don't wait - Find your dream getaway now!

Top RV destinations in South Australia

Beach driving in South Australia