The Perfect Two Day Kangaroo Island Itinerary for Animal Lovers
With its abundant wildlife and nature, Kangaroo Island is an animal lover's paradise and would be a highlight on our six-week Australia itinerary. The prospect of seeing kangaroos, koalas and sea lions all in one place left us in no doubt that we had to visit.
What we did know was that a one-day Kangaroo Island trip wouldn't be long enough for us, so we conducted extensive research and booked a 2-day tour instead, which included an overnight stay in Kingscote.
It was the perfect way to experience all the fantastic natural attractions on Kangaroo Island that have left us with lasting memories.
In this post, I share my experiences on Kangaroo Island to inspire you to visit this magical corner of Australia for yourself.
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Getting to Kangaroo Island from Adelaide
Our Kangaroo Island experience included a transfer from our hotel to the ferry port, an outward Sealink ferry crossing, a 2-day guided tour, and a return ferry to Adelaide, followed by a taxi transfer back to our hotel. Our trip included one night of hotel accommodation at the Ozone Hotel in Kingscote. Flights from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island have a flight time of 20 minutes and may be available at a premium, depending on the tour company you book with.
This 2-day guided tour of Kangaroo Island is almost identical to the one I booked.
My first impressions of Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is one of the best places to visit in South Australia, and we were eager to tour Kangaroo Island and discover if the claims that it was like a zoo without fences were valid!
Being the third-largest island in Australia and one of the best-preserved spots for wildlife encounters, we were excited to see animals in their natural habitat.
Over 65,000 island kangaroos call this their home, outnumbering the Kangaroo Island population of 4,800 residents.
Our Kangaroo Island tour group was the right mix of ages and nationalities, and our driver, Bruce, had a wealth of bad jokes but a fantastic knowledge of the island.
No sooner had we departed the ferry than we were off to the first of many fabulous attractions in Kangaroo Island, the Seal Bay Conservation Park. The magic happened instantly as we encountered our first island kangaroos on the way. Our excitement was already peaking!
Kangaroo Island Itinerary For Two Days
Day One
- Ferry to Kangaroo Island
- Seal Bay Conservation Park
- Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery
- Lunch at Vivonne Bay Bistro
- Raptor Domain Bird of Prey Centre
- Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park
- Overnight at Ozone Hotel, Kingscote
Day Two
- Clifford's Honey Farm
- Hanson Bay Sanctuary
- Flinders Chase National Park
- Remarkable Rocks
- Admirals Arch
- Flight back to Adelaide
Best Things To Do On Kangaroo Island
Seal Bay Conservation Park
How marvellous it was that our first stop on Kangaroo Island would be to visit the rare Australian sea lions in their natural habitat at Seal Bay Conservation Park.
As we approached the beach, seeing them basking in the sun and frolicking in the water was great.
The bulls (males) and cows (females) lay on the beach, seemingly exhausted, while the pups enjoyed diving through the waves.
Our Seal Bay guide told us that only 12,000 remain in the wild and are a protected species.
Therefore, access by the public is only with an official guide, and as you are relatively close to these magnificent creatures, you can understand why this rule is in place.
I was standing by the walkway and realised that a pup and her parent were underneath it, sheltering from the heat. To be so close was a fabulous introduction to the beauty of Kangaroo Island.
Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery
Eucalyptus trees are not a common sight in the UK; however, we use the oil to clear head colds and sinuses, so a visit to Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery on the other side of the world was interesting.
We discovered that the plant is a staple in the koala's diet and how this traditional Kangaroo Island product is made.
We were shown the past and present processes of distilling eucalyptus oil and told how the oil was Australia's first overseas export.
This was a lovely visit to a local business featuring a charming gift shop and tea rooms, not to mention the resident emu that watched over the guests.
Vivonne Bay Bistro
Getting to Kangaroo Island had been pretty straightforward, but as we had started the morning at 5 am to catch the coach to the ferry terminal, we were now more than ready to stop for lunch.
The tour included a buffet-style selection in a rustic bistro setting in keeping with its surroundings.
Located in the beautiful Vivonne Bay, we didn't have a chance to swim in the azure waters that encompass the area, but there are many lovely beaches on Kangaroo Island to enjoy if you have the time.
Raptor Domain Bird of Prey Centre
Birds of prey that have been abandoned or orphaned are brought in and cared for at the Raptor Domain Bird of Prey Centre by Dave Irwin, cousin of the late TV personality Steve Irwin.
They display them at the Raptor Domain to raise public awareness of their existence and vulnerability.
The 1-hour shows are carefully curated; if the birds don't want to perform, they are left to their own devices.
As bird lovers, we both enjoyed our interaction with the kookaburras, a species we had only ever read about, as they are indigenous to this part of the world.
Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park
I wasn't sure what to expect at Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park; after all, I had heard that Kangaroo Island's animals all led wild, carefree lives, and here we were, visiting an animal park.
Managed by two wildlife conservationists, they bring awareness of the 150 species of native Australian wildlife to a broader audience.
Hands-on experiences are available, and for us, feeding the kangaroos was incredible. They are incredibly gentle as they take the food from your hand, but beware of the slobber from their mouths that they leave behind!
Of course, koala cuddling is one of the most popular activities in the park, but we preferred to watch and admire them rather than hold them.
As a child, I had a toy koala brought back from Australia for me, so I was over the moon to have a photograph taken with the real thing - and the bonus was that it was awake! A treasured memory that will last a lifetime.
Day Two
Waking up in Kingscote
We had spent the previous night at the Ozone Hotel in Kingscote. Located opposite the seafront, this basic but comfortable hotel was the perfect stop for one night.
We had taken a walk around the town this morning in search of the post office so we could send our postcards back to the UK, and discovered a quaint town with several cafes, coffee shops, and souvenir shops.
The beach area was ideal for a morning walk, and we spotted a sign indicating that one of the town's residents fed pelicans each evening at dusk. We missed it, but if you're in the area, be sure to check it out.
Clifford's Honey Farm
It just so happens that we really love honey, so a visit to Clifford's Honey Farm was perfect for us. Clifford is the founder, and his children and their partners are now all involved in this cottage industry.
Manuka honey may be famous in New Zealand, but here on Kangaroo Island, the Ligurian bee is the star, and its honey is delicious. Try the honey ice cream, biscuits and beer - you won't be sorry.
Dominic came away with an action plan to learn how to become an apiarist (beekeeper) and set up in our UK garden. So far, it's still just an idea!
Hanson Bay Sanctuary
I must admit that when I came to Australia, I thought I would see koalas hanging off almost every tree, but I couldn't have been further from the truth.
Koalas are quiet, nocturnal animals who sleep during the day, usually so high in a tree that they are hard to see.
They wake for only 4-6 hours in the evening to eat eucalyptus leaves, their only food source.
Spotting one is like winning the lottery, so when we discovered that Hanson Bay Sanctuary was home to wild koalas, we couldn't wait to explore.
Spotting our first koala in Australia
As we strolled through the self-guided walk, we spotted our first koala. I can't tell you how exciting it is to see one in the wild in Australia. A dream come true!
The staff tie a coloured ribbon around the trees with the koalas in them; after all, they aren't going anywhere until tea time, the koalas, that is, not the staff!
Feral cats pose a significant threat to the indigenous animals on Kangaroo Island. Introduced as domestic pets, they have become feral and consume approximately 1,500 kg of native animal meat daily.
Hanson Bay has fenced off 250 acres to protect the native animals, enabling them to live without fear of attack and, ultimately, extinction.
During our walk, we spotted around eight koalas: a pademelon, a small marsupial and an echidna, a hedgehog-like creature with a long snout for foraging food.
My first encounter with one of these strange creatures was out here in this sanctuary. Kangaroo Island was undoubtedly holding up to its claims to be a wildlife haven.
Flinders Chase National Park
Following a 2-course lunch at Hanson Sanctuary, we headed to the westernmost part of Kangaroo Island, known as Flinders Chase National Park, where we would discover the Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch.
Remarkable Rocks
So you may wonder just how remarkable a group of rocks could be. We thought the same thing until we saw them.
Boulders of russet-coloured granite hewn into incredible shapes by the force of nature were like an outdoor sculpture exhibition.
Dali-esque in form, the rocks looked like they had been imagined by the artist Dali and made for a film set, not hewn from the elements over the last 50 million years.
Cameras were everywhere, and we weren't about to miss out on taking photographs of these rocks. And I think you would agree; they are remarkable rocks.
Admirals Arch
Walking along the wooden boardwalk and around the cliff face takes you to Admirals Arch's natural rock.
The arch has taken shape due to weather erosion from the sea over thousands of years, and while it looks delicate, it carries the weight above it quite easily.
Fur seals can be seen here, and we were lucky to spot quite a few.
These small, dark brown seals feed at sea and return to land to rest and breed. The gulls also fly in and out of this area, hunting for dinner.
A viewing platform allows you to look through the arch and out to sea, and for me, it was a real privilege to watch animals behaving so naturally in their habitat.
Best Time To Visit Kangaroo Island
We visited the island in February and experienced lovely summer weather, perfect for seeing the Kangaroo Island highlights. You could still visit in the off-peak months of October/ November, as well as March and April, and have a fantastic time, as the Kangaroo Island climate is mild all year round.
My Final Thoughts On Kangaroo Island
Our time on Kangaroo Island had ended, but it had been a highlight of our 6-week trip to Australia.
The Kangaroo Island 2-day tour was everything we hoped it would be and showed us the best of the island. I would highly recommend KI to anyone, as it is one of the best places to visit in South Australia.
If you're short on time, there are also one-day tours to Kangaroo Island departing from Adelaide. And if you want to spend longer, you can also enjoy the island at a slower pace by booking a 3-day Kangaroo Island Adventure Tour With Camping.
You will still see some of the main highlights on a one-day Kangaroo Island tour, leaving you with good reason to return later!
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Angela Price: is an accomplished travel writer bringing extensive expertise and passion to the world of travel.
With over 40 years of globetrotting adventures under her belt and with a keen eye for unique experiences, she has established herself as an authoritative voice in travel, offering invaluable insights for fellow adventurers seeking to uncover the delights of worldwide destinations.
Her motto is “live life wandering not wondering”. Read more about Angie.
Kangaroo Island is such a beautiful part of the world, we were lucky enough to visit for a couple of weeks, and there is still more to go back and do. Such a shame that the western half of the island has been burnt in the recent Australian bushfires, although I hear that the regeneration of the bush and wildlife is incredible. Hopefully we will get back there later this year.
I watched the devastation on KI and was in tears. When you have been to a location and then see it being destroyed it is heartbreaking. I would love to return one day but it is so far from me. I hope you get back and can witness its recovery.
So beautiful! I love seeing wildlife in their natural habitats, and you had such great luck with that here.Definitely going to KI if I have the chance to visit the Adelaide area 😀
It was a wonderful trip and one I would put on any itinerary if travelling near Adelaide.
It seems like a really enjoyable place to visit.Lovely pictures
Definitely a paradise for animal lovers I would say! The views of Kangaroo Island look so amazing. Would expect nothing less of Australia, a far away destination on my list!
It must be a little upsetting for you to wonder how much of the amazing landscape and wildlife you saw during your Australia trip is still there after the fires. It just goes to show how lucky we are to travel and see the world at it's best before disaster strikes. p.s. How come there's some white kangaroos?
Jay, I watched the footage on the news and just sat and cried. We saw all the areas we had visited just raised to the ground and several of the cottage industries that exist on the island are now gone. I feel overwhelmed that I got the chance to see and interact with the people and animals on the islands. I pray that in time it will restore itself to its former glory and future visitors will be able to experience the magic that I did.
The white kangaroos are a colony of albino roos that can only be found on the island.
Oh wow! This is right up my alley! I did some research a few years ago as I really wanted to go but we didnt have time. I would just love meeting all these animals!!
It was an amazing experience however so many places that we visited have since been badly affected by the horrendous fires that they have had. I pray that this natural habitat can recover and return to the wonderful sanctuary it was when I visited.
Looking forward to my trip to Aussie soon and I love watching sunrises and sunsets so Kingscote is one of the places I will explore
I spent 6 weeks travelling around Australia so if you need any advice just let me know.
As it is an island I hope it didn’t reach them 🙏
We spent a full week on Kangaroo Island and would still like to return to see the rest of the Island. We loved Flinders Chase National Park on the Western end - it's teaming with wildlife! 🙂
Wow I would have loved to spend a week there. Lucky you