Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is an island off South Australia's south coast, best known for sea lions at Seal Bay and granite formations at Remarkable Rocks.
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Kangaroo Island sits off the south coast of South Australia. You can reach it by ferry or a short flight from Adelaide. Its best-known sights are Remarkable Rocks, granite boulders on a coastal dome in Flinders Chase National Park, and Admirals Arch, a rock arch shaped by the sea. At Seal Bay Conservation Park, a guided walk leads down to a beach where Australian sea lions rest. Kangaroos and koalas also live on the island.
The island suits travelers who want nature, quiet roads and small coastal towns more than nightlife. Distances are longer than they look on a map, so plan at least two or three nights. Allow more if you want to cover Flinders Chase and the west end without rushing. Autumn and spring suit most trips: summer days run hot, and winter is cooler and wetter.
Kangaroo Island in five
- Allow a full day for Flinders ChaseNPWS calls Flinders Chase essential, with Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch and a long-nosed fur seal colony. The visitor centre is 800 meters outside the park, and staff are in the park daily from 9:00 to 17:00.Flinders Chase National Park
- Compare the Tour Pass with single ticketsThe Kangaroo Island Tour Pass covers 12 months of Flinders Chase access, plus Seal Bay, Cape Borda, Cape Willoughby and Kelly Hill Caves admissions. NPWS says individual tickets may be cheaper if you visit only a couple of sites.Kangaroo Island Tour Pass
- Choose the ferry or a flightSouth Australia Tourism says to drive around 1.5 hours from Adelaide to Cape Jervis, then take the ferry to Penneshaw, or fly to Kingscote. SeaLink notes a temporary fuel surcharge on new ferry bookings.Adelaide guide
- Drive carefully at dawn and duskNPWS asks visitors to drive carefully, especially at dawn and dusk, when wildlife is active, and reminds overseas drivers that Australians drive on the left. Pack water and snacks for long stretches.
- Check weather closures at the west endAdmirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks may close during severe weather with damaging winds. Whales migrate along the coast from mid-May to late October.
Things to do in Kangaroo Island
See all attractions in Kangaroo Island
Need to know
- Airport
- Kingscote, with flights from Adelaide
- Getting there
- Ferry from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw, or flights to Kingscote Read more
- Getting around
- Hire car or tour; distances are long and fuel is limited
- Best base
- Penneshaw, Kingscote or near Flinders Chase
- Time needed
- 2 or 3 nights
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- JanuaryWarm, dry
- FebruaryWarm, dry
- MarchMild, dry
- AprilMild, quieter
- MayCool, whales start
- JuneCool, whales
- JulyCold, whales
- AugustCool, whales
- SeptemberSpring, whales
- OctoberMild, whales end
- NovemberWarm, wildflowers
- DecemberWarm, busy
Right now in Kangaroo Island
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 15°
- Humidity
- 72%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Kangaroo Island
09:11 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today20°10°0%Tuesday: Fog. High 20°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed16°12°59%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 16°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 59%.
- Thu18°11°6%Thursday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Fri20°10°47%Friday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Sat16°9°3%Saturday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sun19°10°6%Sunday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Mon24°12°12%Monday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 12%.
Updated 08:18 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.423 AUD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Flinders Chase National Parka full dayRemarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch and a fur seal colony.Read the guide
- Seal Bay Conservation Parka half dayA guided boardwalk visit to an Australian sea lion colony; confirm tour times on the park site.
- Cape Willoughby and Cape Borda lightstationsa half day eachLighthouse tours at the two ends of the island; booked through the park.
Before you go to Kangaroo Island
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Rules for Kangaroo Island, checked
- The Kangaroo Island Tour Pass gives 12 months access to Flinders Chase plus admission to Seal Bay, Cape Borda, Cape Willoughby and Kelly Hill Caves.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks may be closed during severe weather with damaging winds; check the visitor centre before you go.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Kangaroo Island
The gateway city and the drive to Cape Jervis
Read the guideSouth AustraliaBarossa, Clare, Flinders and Eyre
Read the guideAll of AustraliaETA, regions, flights and money basics
Read the guideTours and ticketsIsland tours and park passes
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for ferry and flight changes
Read the guideKangaroo Island FAQ
How many days do you need on Kangaroo Island?
Two nights cover Flinders Chase, Seal Bay and a lighthouse. Three nights leave time for caves, beaches and a slower pace.
How do you get to Kangaroo Island from Adelaide?
Drive about 1.5 hours to Cape Jervis, then take the ferry to Penneshaw, or fly to Kingscote. Check the ferry timetable and any fuel surcharge before you book.
Is the Kangaroo Island Tour Pass worth it?
It covers 12 months of Flinders Chase access and several tours. NPWS says individual tickets may be cheaper if you visit only a couple of sites, so total your plan first.
When is whale season on Kangaroo Island?
NPWS says whales migrate along the South Australian coast between mid-May and late October, mostly southern right whales.
Can you see Remarkable Rocks in bad weather?
Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks may close during severe weather with damaging winds. Check the visitor centre or NPWS page before you drive to the west end.