Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island, off the coast of South Australia, is one of the country's great wildlife havens, a large, unspoilt island where kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, echidnas and little penguins thrive, sea lions bask on the beaches and eagles soar overhead. Its wild coastline is dotted with the wind-sculpted Remarkable Rocks, the natural arch of Admiral's Arch, clean beaches and small farms, a nature-lover's paradise.

What you actually see

• The wildlife - kangaroos, koalas, echidnas and sea lions in the wild.
• Seal Bay - the beach walk among a colony of wild sea lions.
• The Remarkable Rocks - the wind-sculpted granite boulders.
• Admiral's Arch and Flinders Chase - the natural arch and the national park.

When to go

Spring to autumn, September to May, for the mildest weather; wildlife is active year-round, best seen at dawn and dusk. Note that much of the island was affected by bushfires in 2020, and some areas have been recovering, so check current conditions.

Honest expectations

Devastating bushfires in early 2020 burned much of the western island, including parts of the national park, so some areas and wildlife populations have been recovering; check what is open. It is large, so a car and a couple of days are needed. Roads include unsealed stretches, and wildlife on the roads makes dusk driving risky.

Nearby

Adelaide and the Fleurieu Peninsula are on the mainland; the Barossa wine valley is within reach.