The best national parks in Kangaroo Island

Amazing beaches, local food, wine and spirits and incredible coastal landscapes are waiting for you on Kangaroo Island. But whilst you’re popping in and out of wineries, don’t forget to pay a visit to one of two of the island’s most stunning national parks. In this article, we talk about four great national parks in Kangaroo Island, each worth a visit. 

National Parks in Kangaroo Island

One third of South Australia’s sprawling island – Kangaroo Island – is comprised of protected nature reserves. As a result, guests to the island can see some pretty spectacular sights. Native wildlife such as penguins, sea lions, koalas, kangaroos and birds as well as incredible rock formations, coastal landscapes and thick forests make Kangaroo Island an incredible Weekend Escape destination.

During your upcoming visit, ensure that you pay a visit to at least one of Kangaroo Island’s beautiful national parks. In this article, we share four great options and help you plan your time on the island.

Seal Bay

Open 9am-5pm daily

Unspoiled wilderness makes Kangaroo Island one of the most appealing destinations in the state and Seal Bay is one of the places that adds to its appeal. No trip to KI is complete without a visit to Seal Bay. Home to an Australian sea lion population for thousands of years, Seal Bay offers natural wildlife experiences to tourists year round. Without any enclosures or man made interference, guests can see sea lions in their natural habitats with the help of experienced guides. A 900-metre boardwalk which leads visitors to the colony and through dunes to viewing platforms is a great way to experience the area. Don’t miss a visit to Seal Bay during your upcoming visit!

Cape Willoughby Conservation Park

Open 9am-3.30pm daily

For a little history, some amazing sea views and  wildlife, your best bet is a day trip to Cape Willoughby Conservation Park. Formerly part of the Cape Hart Conservation Park, Cape Willoughby is a protected area on the north coast of the Dudley Peninsula. Home to South Australia’s oldest operational lighthouse, this part of Kangaroo Island is rich in maritime history. Find out more about the original lighthouse keepers as well as ships wrecked off the coastline. Perhaps the best part though is the incredible vistas you’ll see from the cliff. Don’t forget to bring your camera!

Flinders Chase National Park

One of the most famous national parks in Kangaroo Island is Flinders Chase National Park. This vast area of pure wilder­ness fea­tures the icon­ic Remark­able Rocks, as well as other sites such as Admi­rals Arch and wildlife including the long-nosed fur seal colony. At Remarkable Rocks, marvel at ancient formations which have been weathered and worn down for over thousands of years. The golden orange hues make this spot perfect for photos in the sun. Across the park, you will also find a number of wonderful native animals including goan­nas, koalas, eagles, kan­ga­roos and echid­nas.

Guests should note that Flinders Chase Nation­al Park is recov­er­ing following the Black Summer bushfires which left 96% of the park burnt.

Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park

Lesser-known Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park is a vast area of wilderness on Kangaroo Island. With the island’s largest lagoon and some amazing coastal scenery inside the park, it’s a great place to enjoy a walk and spot some native wildlife. In fact, this particular park is known for its excellent habi­tat for a range of rare and threat­ened species. The lengthy Cape Gantheaume Coastal Trek and a number of estab­lished trails at Mur­ray Lagoon and D’Estrees Bay make for a great way to see the environment here. If the weather doesn’t lend itself to a walk, there’s a self-guid­ed dri­ve along D’Estrees Bay Road which will help you discover the nat­ur­al and cul­tur­al sig­nif­i­cance of the area.

SA Weekend Escapes Top Hotel Pick

Looking for some Kangaroo Island accommodation with great views and even better food? Look no further than Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge.

Stay in comfort here and enjoy an award-winning restaurant at a property surrounded by trees, birdlife and animals. The tranquil ocean waters of American River Bay are right in front of you, just ahead of the hotel’s outdoor pool.

To book your room, click here.