A family holiday to Kangaroo Island is an ideal family getaway because there are such a variety of things to do. If your family is anything like mine, it is often to find a variety of things to do that will make everyone happy. That is why I love Kangaroo Island so much, there is so much to do in a small space, so once you get there, not a lot of traveling is necessary.
Photo Credit: SeaLink.com.au
Kangaroo Island is a fun 13.5 kilometre ferry ride away from Cape Jervis, South Australia which is near Adelaide. I like to hire a budget rent a car once on the island so that we are free to do things at our own leisure; the ferry also takes cars over to Kangaroo Island if you want to bring your own car. Kangaroo Island also has an airport, so you can fly to the island if you are not near South Australia. Kangaroo Island is known as KI by the locals and it is Australia’s 3rd largest island at 155 km long and 55 km wide at the widest point.
Things to Do on Kangaroo Island
KI may be a small island, but there is no shortage of things to do and see while on holiday. Whether you visit there for a day or a week, you will be surprised at the variety of things to do on Kangaroo Island. Activities range from doing nothing and relaxing on the beach, to wildlife adventures, ocean excursions, land and cave exploring, and learning about the aboriginal history and culture of the island. Here is a list of things to do on Kangaroo Island:
See the Kangaroos
Kangaroo Island, of course, has kangaroos to visit; but there is a wide variety of other animals to see including: koalas, wallabies, possums, pelicans, penguins, pink pelicans and other birds, seals, sea lions, platypus, in addition to all the other marine life in the waters around the island.
Farm Fresh Food and Wine
Fresh fish, farm grown vegetables, and wineries abound on the island so there is no shortage of delicious local eats. Local eats are budget friendly for the family and of course, they taste better! For a small island, KI definitely has a wide variety of restaurants to choose from. Every year in April, they have the annual Kangaroo Island Festival.
Beaches and Water Sports
Kangaroo Island is home to beautiful beaches, bays and waterways where you can swim, snorkel, SCUBA dive, and surf the waves. The temperate waters around the island are home to marine treasures like colourful coral, leafy sea-dragons, and multi-coloured sea sponges just to name a few interesting things you might find snorkelling near the coast. Sailing and fishing charters are abundant.
Four-Wheel Off Road Adventures
Even though this is an island, it is still defined as a wilderness and is mostly untouched. An island excursion often consists of four-wheel driving and rock climbing. There is farm land, bush land, hiking trails, and a beautiful lighthouse that you can take a tour of.
Here are four places to see on Kangaroo Island:
- Flinders Chase National Park
Flinders Chase National Park is named after Matthew Flinders who is the Englishman that discovered Australia. The park is a very large part of Kangaroo Island and covers an expanse of different landscapes. Tours are available and visiting this park is a must see if you are on Kangaroo Island. Touring the park is known for its amazing wildlife experiences. The park was set up to protect wild life and geological rock structures. Some of the protected species in the park were even transported there from mainland Australia.
- Kelly Hill Caves and Conservation Park
Kelly Hill Caves and Conservation Park is home to spectacular caves as well as wild life. There are different hiking trails over the terrain in the park. You can opt for a self-guided tour or hire a tour guide to show you the way.
- Seal Bay Conservation Park
Seal Bay Conservation Park is very special because it is one of the only places in the world where you can book a guided tour that will take you to see the rare Australian Sea Lions up close, right on the beach where they live. There is also a birds of prey demonstration and show.
- Cape Willoughby Lighthouse
The Cape Willoughby Lighthouse is one of the more unique places you can stay on Kangaroo Island. The lighthouse keepers’ cottages have been renovated and make for a great place to stay right on the coast. The lighthouse was built in 1852, so there is plenty of history and culture to learn about there. You can also investigate shipwrecks on Kangaroo Island.
