Kangaroo Island is one of Australia’s best coastal escapes, home to 509 kilometres of idyllic coastline comprising beaches, lush bushland, wetlands and sand dunes. Natural spoils await on this island sanctuary, where you can see penguins, seals, kangaroos, echidnas and other native wildlife.

Foodies will fall in love with Kangaroo Island’s gourmet restaurants, as they serve sumptuous meals from locally sourced ingredients and use sustainable practices. Expect delicious seafood, such as oysters and King George whiting, along with artisan cheese, honey and award-winning wines.

Love art? Visit the Australian Red Gum Gallery to see pieces made from old Kangaroo Island red gum timber or explore the island-inspired artwork at Fine Art Kangaroo Island. If you prefer a more active approach, get out on the water for deep-sea fishing, dolphin spotting or scuba diving around the island’s shipwrecks.

Extreme adventures are never far on Kangaroo Island, from quad biking through native bushland to riding fat-tyre bikes down sand dunes. There are also over 20 hikes on the island that cater to all skill levels, ranging from 30-minute journeys to five-day treks.

Getting there

Kangaroo Island is best reached by first flying into Adelaide Airport or directly to Kingscote Airport from Melbourne. From Adelaide, you can fly to Kangaroo Island or catch one of the passenger ferries from Cape Jervis, about two hours from Adelaide.