Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island lies off the mainland of South Australia, 112km southwest of Adelaide. The island is Australia’s third-largest after Tasmania and Melville Island, spanning 145km from east to west and 55km from north to south. Two major roads connect the east and west and there are many arterial roads that are a mix of sealed and gravel.

Karta Pintingg – its First Nations Kaurna name – means ‘Island of the Dead’, named so because it is believed that more than 10,000 years ago – after the landmass separated from mainland Australia and created an island –  the island remained uninhabited by humans for more than 2,000 years.

Over a third of the island is protected in nature reserves and is home to famous wildlife including the Australian sea lion, long-nosed fur seal, Kangaroo Island kangaroo, tammar wallaby, koala, echidna and a diverse range of reptile and bird species.

The east is made up of the Dudley Peninsula and the township of Penneshaw, wineries, Cape Willoughby Lighthouse and Devil’s Kitchen, while in the west the dominant destination is Seal Bay Conservation Park and Flinders Chase National Park known for its striking coastal rock formations, like the sculpted Remarkable Rocks and the stalactite-covered Admirals Arch.
Centrally are the townships of American River and Kingscote, the latter home to the only commercial airport on the island, plentiful in farm gate and beverage-based experiences.