Things To Do in Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island offers diverse activities and attractions, including stunning beaches, iconic natural landmarks, and accommodations with breathtaking views.
If you have a few days free, Kangaroo Island tour is a highly sought-after destination in South Australia, perfect for a family vacation or a romantic getaway.
Explore things to do in Kangaroo Island, including wineries and wildlife spotting in open spaces, by booking a trip and following our recommendations.

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Experience the tiny penguins of Penneshaw

Kangaroo Island has a population of little penguins that can be observed at the Penneshaw Penguin Centre as they go about their nightly routine. Visitors can use a penguin-friendly torch and proceed with caution to witness the world’s smallest penguin in its natural habitat.

kangaroo island things to do

Please consider visiting Seal Bay Conservation Park

Seals can be found at Seal Bay Conservation Park in Australia, home to the country’s third-largest sea lion colony. The park features a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk that leads to viewing platforms overlooking Seal Bay, where the Australian sea lion population has thrived for thousands.

Go quad biking

If you prefer land-based adventure activities, Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action offers a variety of options, such as quad biking, sandboarding, and kayaking. Their team will take good care of you, and you’ll wonder why you didn’t try these sports earlier.

things to do kangaroo island
things to do on ki

Consider staying at Hamilton & Dune

Kangaroo Island offers a variety of luxury accommodations, including pods and bell tents. Hamilton & Dune are two new destination options on the island. Guests can choose between the architecturally designed Dune House or Hamilton House, which can accommodate larger groups. Both properties offer comfortable stays on Kangaroo Island.

It offers a genuinely Australian degustation experience

Sunset Food & Wine offers a delightful dining experience where you can savour the finest K.I. produce while enjoying the sunset. The beautiful scenery, including kangaroos and birdsong, adds to the overall experience.

best things to do in kangaroo island
things to do at kangaroo island

Experience swimming with wild dolphins

Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures showcases its dedication to environmental preservation by employing bait-free and propeller-free methods during their tours. This appeals to eco-minded travellers seeking to engage with pods of wild dolphins along the K.I. coastline. The three-hour Island Explorer Tour offers the chance to swim and snorkel alongside 20 to 50 wild dolphins simultaneously.

You can enjoy a meal at Emu Bay Lavender Farm

Emu Bay Lavender Farm is a picturesque farm that showcases rows of lavender with a charming Farmgate cafe. Visitors can enjoy homemade lavender scones and lavender ice cream. This farm is also included in Australia’s most beautiful lavender farm list.
At Emu Bay Lavender Farm, visitors can enjoy the beautiful purple fields and explore a selection of lavender products, including body washes, heat pillows, and loose-leafed tea. The best time to visit is between mid-September and mid-May when the fields are fully bloomed.

top 10 things to do in kangaroo island

Enjoy Vivonne Bay

The beach near Vivonne Bay General Store is highly regarded as one of the top beaches in the country. Many people enjoy ordering a whiting burger from the store and eating it on the beach. Eating a whiting burger is a standard practice on Kangaroo Island, and the Vivonne Bay General Store is known for its burgers.

Consider investing in the island's craft beer and gin industry

Kangaroo Island Spirits is Australia’s first craft distillery, offering a tasting tour of their wild gin. Kangaroo Island Brewery, located just outside Kingscote, serves eight craft beers and a menu in a relaxed setting. It’s a great way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Consider investing in the island's craft beer and gin industry

One can visit Raptor Domain

Raptor Domain, a well-known island conservation centre, offers exciting demonstrations of birds of prey. Visitors can enjoy one-hour shows that showcase a variety of species, including wedge-tailed eagles, kookaburras, and owls. Additionally, the centre provides care for orphaned, injured, and sick birds and housing snakes, lizards, and other reptiles. They also offer a venom/reptile show for those interested.

It is a recognised wine region

Explore Kangaroo Island with ease on the Kangaroo Island Trail Hopper, a convenient hop-on, hop-off tour that takes you to key attractions in Kingscote, such as The Islander Estate Vineyards where you can purchase their renowned Investor cabernet France. Kangaroo Island Trails also offers a gourmet wine day tour that includes lunch at Gastronomo, a highly recommended culinary experience on the island. Additionally, you can embark on a self-guided winery trail to visit the must-see wineries of Kangaroo Island, including Dudley Wines.

It is a recognised wine region

Go a-fishing

A fishing charter is recommended for fishing enthusiasts to explore the waters around Kangaroo Island. Many species, like kingfish, tuna, gummy shark, squid, and trevally, can be caught. Fishing charters like Emu Bay Fishing and Kangaroo Island Fishing Adventures are available to guide visitors to the best fishing spots known to locals.

This location is ideal for food travel

Travellers to Kangaroo Island can have several oyster excursions, from brief trips to extensive day-long adventures. The Oyster Farm Shop at American River presents a ground-based tour featuring a shucking presentation and sample tastings. For those desiring a deeper dive, Kangaroo Island Odysseys offers a three-day journey encompassing food, vino, and nature.

This location is ideal for food travel
Penneshaw Market Day

Penneshaw Market Day

Should you be on the island during the first Sunday from October through April, a stopover at the Penneshaw Market Day is advised. This occasion highlights local cuisines, musical performances, communal events, and handmade arts and crafts, revitalising the town. Moreover, you’ll be backing local traders by purchasing at the Kingscote Farmers & Artisans Market and savouring a breakfast with ingredients sourced nearby.

Spot a koala

Australia’s Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary welcomes guests for tour-guided visits, where one can encounter charming kangaroos, vibrant crimson rosellas, Tammar Wallabies, and echidnas. Despite the impact of the 2020 bushfires on the sanctuary, it’s now operational once again.

Spot a koala
Try island beekeeping and taste honey

Try island beekeeping and taste honey

Kangaroo Island is known for its Ligurian bees, which have remained genetically pure without cross-breeding with other species. You can taste their honey and buy some by visiting Kangaroo Island Living Honey, Clifford’s Honey Farm, and Island Beehive.

Enjoy a meal perfect for Instagram

Culinary Delights: The Enchanted Fig Tree offers an exceptional dining ambience at Snelling Beach. With a majestic fig tree over a century old as its backdrop, it creates a picturesque setting for its guests. Booking in advance is essential.

Explore the beaches of Kangaroo Island

Explore the beaches of Kangaroo Island

Beaches like Emu Bay and Vivonne Bay are well-known and famous, with Vivonne Bay being voted Australia’s number one beach. However, other spots on Kangaroo Island also exist to enjoy the beach. Snellings Beach is a great place to spot dolphins, and Stokes Bay can be reached by going through a cave system. Brown Beach is suitable for families and has barbecue facilities. Chapman River offers the opportunity for a freshwater swim. Pennington Bay Beach on the south coast is recommended for surfing. Please refer to the link for a complete list of the top Kangaroo Island Beaches.

FAQ

It offers a mix of natural beauty, wildlife encounters, gourmet food, wineries, and unique stays—perfect for families or romantic getaways.
See little penguins in Penneshaw, sea lions at Seal Bay, birds of prey at Raptor Domain, koalas at Hanson Bay, and swim with wild dolphins.
Lavender treats at Emu Bay Lavender Farm, honey from pure Ligurian bees, fresh oysters at American River, local craft beer and gin, plus fine dining at The Enchanted Fig Tree.
Quad biking, sandboarding, kayaking, fishing charters, and exploring beaches like Vivonne Bay, Snellings Beach, and Stokes Bay through its cave passage.
Yes—hop-on hop-off winery tours, tastings at Dudley Wines and The Islander Estate, and seasonal Penneshaw Market Days with local produce and crafts.

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