Walks - Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Walks

Explore the island's scenic terrain. There are trails ranging in length and difficulty to cater for all fitness levels. The Clifftop Hike at Cape Borda is the perfect introduction to this spectacular site. Sometimes you will be rewarded with dolphin or whale sightings, or views of soaring sea-eagles. The Hanson Bay Hike at Kelly Hill Conservation Park is also spectacular. It is 18km (return) taking 6 hours to complete. However the scenery is worth it. The trail meanders from the visitor centre to the south coast at Hanson Bay and showcases Pink Gum woodlands, mallee, coastal heaths, freshwater lagoons and ancient dunes. There are several spectacular viewpoints along the way.

Below is a selection of just some of the walks around Kangaroo Island. For more information download the 'Parks of Kangaroo Island' walks booklet or pick up a hard-copy when you arrive.

Parks of Kangaroo Island >

Dudley Peninsula

Ironstone Hill Hike

Location: Baudin Conservation Park, East of Penneshaw.
This 4km hike follows the coast east of Penneshaw along a section of the original bullock track to Cape Willoughby. After climbing through regenerating sheoak vegetation, the hike leads to the ruins of Harry Bates' cottage and a stone-threshing floor on Ironstone Hill. The farming heritage of the area is interpreted on signs along the hike.

American River

Fish Cannery Walk

Location: Lierich Drive, American River
Departing from the northern side of the town, this walk takes you on a fascinating coastal trail to the Historic Fish Cannery. During the walk, keep an eye out for bird life, a variety of coastal vegetation and dolphins swimming in the cove. The walk takes about 1.5 hours; a guide is available at American River shops.

Fish Cannery Walk Brochure (pdf 1.23MB) >

Kingscote & Districts

Kingscote to Brownlow Coastal Walk

Location: Between Kingscote Wharf and Brownlow Beach
Beginning at the Kingscote Wharf, this trail follows the coast to the nearby township of Brownlow. The walk provides impressive coastal views over Nepean Bay and some fine bird watching opportunitie

West End

Cape du Couedic Hike

Location: Departs from Cape du Couedic Lightstation, Flinders Chase Nation Park
This 2km hike provides spectacular coastal clifftop views as it meanders between the Cape du Couedic Lightstation and Admirals Arch car park. Discover the varied and impressive techniques that plants use to grow here. Find out about Aboriginal connections with Cape du Couedic and how they survived in this harsh environment. Contemplate the drama of being shipwrecked here 110 years ago. Look for the water pool built by the lighthouse builders and watch for those who still use it today.

Weirs Cove Hike

Location: Cape du Couedic Road, Flinders Chase National Park
Imagine spending three months or more waiting for fresh supplies... Hike from Cape du Couedic Lightstation to Weirs Cove (3km return) to appreciate the life of a lightkeeper, not to mention his long walk to bringing the groceries home. Discover the method of landing people and supplies along this treacherous coastline.

Clifftop Hike

Location: Cape Borda Lightstation
This short 1km trail is the perfect complement to a guided tour at Cape Borda Lightstation. Meander through the picturesque rock gardens and observe how the vegetation changes as you near the clifftop. A stone lookout provides an ideal vantage point for spotting whales and dolphins.

Harveys Return Hike

Location: Playford Highway, near Cape Borda
This short hike follows the original route used by the Cape Borda Lightkeepers who hauled their stores up from Harveys Return using a horse and capstan (horse-drawn winch), and small rail cars. For geology enthusiasts, there are spectacular outcrops of tightly folded, thinly bedded schists. Below the capstan, the trail is very steep, so walkers should descend carefully

Hanson Bay Hike

Location: Departs from Kelly Hill Caves or Hanson Bay
This spectacular trail meanders from Kelly Hill Visitor Centre to Hanson Bay. It passes through banksia heath, pink gum woodlands, mallee and coastal heath, alongside freshwater lagoons, and over dunes to viewpoints that provide wonderful vistas inland and along the coast. Allow a full day for the return trip or try to arrange a pick-up.

South Coast

Murray Lagoon

Location: Seagers Road
The Murray Lagoon is the Island's largest lagoon and offers three walks - Bald Hill (1km), Curley Creek (11km) and Timber Creek (1.5km). All have great vantage points to observe bird life. Bald Hill in particular has great vistas over Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park. This area is particularly attractive during winter and spring when the creeks are flowing, bringing a great variety of waterbirds and waders to the region. A ranger's office and basic camping facilities are located nearby.

Kangaroo Island Circum-Navigation

In April and May 2009, brothers Tom & Jake Giles became the first to circum-navigate the Island in one complete go. For four weeks they trekked over 500km, following the coast for most of this. This trek was done for especially for charity (PARAQUAD SA) and Tourism Kangaroo Island does not encourage people to attempt something similar as a lot of the coast is private property and restricted area. However, their trek diary makes for some really interesting reading for anyone with an interest in walking and adventure.

Read their diary and view their pictures here. >

Visit with our friendly staff at Kangaroo Island's only Accredited Visitor Information Centre and let us help you customise an itinerary as unique as you are to get the most from your time on Kangaroo Island. Kangaroo Island Gateway Visitor Information Centre - Howard Drive, PENNESHAW SA 5222 Open: Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm, Weekends & Public Holidays 10am - 4pm, Closed Christmas Day.

 
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While all Kangaroo Island accommodation is suitable for exploring the Island, particular regions of the Island afford different advantages. Whether you are arriving in the evening and need accommodation close to the ferry port, you prefer to be close to shops and restaurants or if you really want to get away from it all and stay in a more secluded area, there is a region on Kangaroo Island to suit everyone.

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