Surround yourself with the native wildlife of Kangaroo Island
Australia’s 3rd biggest island is Kangaroo Island, after the islands of Melville and Tasmania. It is located only 112 km from the large city, Adelaide, and has 4,200 residents. Visitors to this beautiful place will find Kangaroo Island accommodation plentiful and varied.
The island’s biggest town is Kingscote. It was originally named Reeves Point when it was founded as a European settlement in 1836. After a proposal that the town serve as South Australia’s capital, the name was changed. This proposal never came into being because the town had limited resources and would have been unable to support a growing population. Adelaide was chosen instead.
Much of Kangaroo Island’s economy comes from agriculture. This includes beef farming; potato, canola and grain farming, as well sheep grazing. Cattle that are reared in the high rainfall areas produce beef that is known for its outstanding quality.
Tourism and the fishing industry are also important for the economy. Kangaroo Island is visited by 140,000 people annually. About 25 percent of them are European tourists. The island is renowned for the unrivaled size of the southern rock lobsters which are caught off the coastline. South Australia’s only producer of eucalyptus oil.
Kangaroo Island has a temperate climate. The winters (June to September) are mild and wet. The summers (October to May) are dry and warm. During summer, temperatures on the coastline are rarely higher than 25C because of fresh sea breezes. In winter, the temperature fluctuates between 13 and 16 Celsius. If you’re planning a winter visit, pack some warm clothing.
About half the island is blanketed with vegetation. One quarter is comprised of wilderness protection areas, national parks, and conservation parks. These include Cape Bouguer Wilderness Protection Area, the Flinders Chase National Park, Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area, and Gantheaume Conservation Park. All are popular visiting sites.
Visit Seal Bay and go on a guided walk to observe sea lions basking in the warm sun. At Flinders Chase National Park you will see the Remarkable Rocks. These monumental rocks have been sculpted into the most amazing shapes by Mother Nature. Other attractions include the dunes at Little Sahara, the Kelly Hill Caves and Cape Willoughby.
At Kingscote you can see delightful penguins in the Kangaroo Island Penguin Center, while the Murray Lagoon has an abundance of bird life. There is a lookout on Mount Thisby which was built in 2002 to honor Matthew Flinders, the first man to circumnavigate Australia. Here you can see amazing 360 degree views of the island.
There is plenty of accommodation in Kangaroo Island. Rent a cottage on the beach at Island Beach, Stokes Bay, Snelling Beach or Emu Bay. You will also find a number of comfortable backpackers’ houses where you can share inexpensive lodgings. In addition to bedrooms, these houses have large living areas, dining areas, and fully equipped kitchens. Some also have games rooms. Your other choices include motels and hotels, B&Bs, caravan and camping sites, holiday apartments and resorts.