AU · South Australia · 35.80°S 137.30°E

kangaroo island

Sea lions, wind-carved rocks and quiet beaches on a large island south of Adelaide.

Best time
March–May and September–November are mild and good for walks and wildlife. June–August is cool and wet; December–February brings busy ferries, hot days and fire bans.
How long
3–4 days
Getting there
Fly direct to Adelaide in about 7 hours. Drive about 2 hours to Cape Jervis, then it's a 45-minute ferry to Penneshaw. South Australia is 1.5 hours ahead of KL, 2.5 during daylight saving (October to early April).
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AU · South Australiakangaroo island35.80°S 137.30°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Sea lions, wind-carved rocks and quiet beaches on a large island south of Adelaide.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingKangaroo IslandAU, South Australia
KLkangaroo island
≈ 5,695 km from KL, as the crow flies
View from the Remarkable Rocks in the Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island, Australia

Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Kangaroo Island is Australia's third-largest island, with farmland, bush and long empty roads between wild coasts. Sea lions, kangaroos and wind-carved rocks are the draw, so give yourself time for both ends of the island.

Makan

  1. Ligurian honeyThe island is a sanctuary for Ligurian bees, and the honey is its best-known souvenir.Map ↗
  2. Island seafoodOysters, King George whiting and marron, a freshwater crayfish farmed on the island.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Seal BayBoardwalks over the dunes look down on a colony of Australian sea lions sprawled on the beach.Map ↗
  2. Flinders Chase National ParkRemarkable Rocks, a cluster of wind-sculpted granite boulders on a headland, and fur seals under Admirals Arch.Map ↗
  3. Vivonne BayA long curve of white sand on the south coast, often with no one else on it.Map ↗
  4. Emu BayA calm, pale north-coast beach, better for swimming than the wild south side.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Book the car ferry early and check your hire car is allowed on the island; many Adelaide rentals aren't. Penneshaw to Flinders Chase is about 2 hours' drive.
  • Kangaroos and wallabies wander onto the roads at dusk, so finish driving before dark.
  • Halal food is scarce on the island; bring supplies from Adelaide.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.