Australia's Kangaroo Island Offers Activities for the Whole Family

Self Driving

Driving on Kangaroo Island is an experience like no other, with unsealed roads and abundant wildlife. Kangaroos, koalas and wallabies are more active at dawn, dusk and overnight. If you're travelling at these times, take extra care to protect the wildlife. If you do come across something, dip your lights, slow down and enjoy nature's show. Make your way to Flinders Chase National Park which features a host of attractions that will keep you busy for the afternoon and possibly longer. Take in the views out to sea at the Cape Borda Lighthouse, and if you're there at 12.30pm you might even experience the daily firing of the restored signal cannon. Then head inland to Parndana Wildlife Park and Paul's Place, you can get close to native animals and birds, as well as friendly farm animals.

Family Holiday

Let Mother Nature play host to you and your family on Kangaroo Island. Visit the colony of 600 Australian sea lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park and watch fur seals loll and play at Admiral's Arch. You can also feed pelicans at Kingscote Wharf, and come face to face with giant cuttlefish, seahorses, little penguins and denizens of Kangaroo Island's underwater world at the Kangaroo Island Marine Centre. Older kids can enjoy sand boarding down the razorback dunes at Little Sahara. In the meantime, grown ups could visit some of the wineries and food artisans on the island, including wine from Sunset Winery, cheese from Island Pure Sheep Dairy, and honey from Clifford's Honey Farm.

Shipwreck Trail

Sign up for the Kangaroo Island Shipwreck Trail and explore the history of the island from the time it was discovered in the 1800s. The trail consists of an introductory panel at both Kingscote and Penneshaw, and seven story panels at related sites around Kangaroo Island. You can download the Kangaroo Island Shipwreck Trail brochure for more information on the 'self-drive trail which uses contemporary newspaper reports and personal records to recount the stories of seven Kangaroo Island shipwrecks.

Rock On!

The Remarkable Rocks form what appears to be a cluster of precariously balanced granite boulders high above the crashing waves of the Southern Ocean. If you stand too close to the edge, you will feel the wind dragging you further so be careful while enjoying the thrill. The rocks' curious, tortured shapes have been carved over thousands of years by wind, rain and sea spray. Their apparent colour changes during the day. These are one of the island's most photographed natural features. Admirals Arch is naturally sculptured too, and under its suspended cliff face, fur seals frolic in the waters or rest on the rocks.

Cozy Town

Penneshaw is a pretty coastal village on Kangaroo Island with spectacular views of the South Australian mainland. The regular SeaLink Ferry service from the mainland arrives here. You'll find a great array of accommodation, right in the heart of Penneshaw or one of the surrounding bays. There are also good shops and friendly places to dine at. Try your luck at fishing off Hog Bay Jetty or walk along the coast into Baudin Conservation Park and see wallabies sheltering under the bushes to escape the heat. Other activities include boat fishing or swimming off one of the safest beaches on the island. At night, head out to see Penneshaw's colony of Little Penguins – tours are conducted nightly from the Penguin Interpretive Centre.

Calendar of Events

Coonawarra Cellar Dwellers
1-31 Jul

A rare opportunity to follow wine trails, meet the winemakers and taste special release and hard-to-find aged wines at the cellar door.

Royal Adelaide Show
6 - 14 Sep

The Royal Adelaide Show is carnival that offers something for everyone, such as food and wine tastings; entertainment with bands, dancing, comedy acrobatic; exhibitions and displays; fashion parades; competitions; animals (livestock and pets); farmyard nursery and animal petting area.

OzAsia Festival
13 - 29 Sep

Celebrating the artistic and cultural ties between Australia and Asia, this two‐week event presented by Adelaide Festival Centre features a range of performances, events and exhibitions. The Festival's program integrates Australian artists who identify with an Asian heritage, with a collection of Asian artists; representing a unique cross‐section of traditional and contemporary cultures of Asia

Website: www.southaustralia.com

PHOTO: Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island