If you’re craving island life with a side of wild adventure, Kangaroo Island should be at the top of your bucket list. Just a short trip from South Australia’s mainland, this eco-rich sanctuary is brimming with attractions that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.
At CABN, we help you connect with nature on your terms. Our off-grid cabins are woven into the island’s tranquil landscape, offering you a peaceful base to explore the best of Kangaroo Island outdoor action, wildlife, and local food culture.
Here are the best Kangaroo Island activities worth your time and how to experience them at your own pace once you’re here.
What Makes Kangaroo Island So Special?
Kangaroo Island is often called the Galápagos of Australia, and for a good reason. With over one-third of the island protected as conservation land, Kangaroo Island offers a rare chance to see Australia’s wildlife in its natural habitat. There are no traffic lights, fast food chains, or skyscrapers. Just rugged coastline, secluded beaches, and the quiet kind of peace that city life forgot.
Expect to see Kangaroo Island kangaroos, echidnas, koalas, wild dolphins, and even New Zealand fur seals. You’ll also find passionate local producers – from local oysters to honey and gin – tucked along rolling hills and coastline.
Kangaroo Island Outdoor Activities: Adventure, Sand Dunes, and Quad Biking
This island isn’t only for lounging. Although we won’t blame you if you spend all day in your CABN Kangaroo Island accommodation hammock, soaking in the ocean views. Here are some of the top activities on Kangaroo Island to get your blood moving and your camera clicking:
Go sandboarding at the Little Sahara Sand Dunes
Yes, there’s a desert on Kangaroo Island. Located on the south coast of the island, Little Sahara is a natural sand dune system that’s perfect for tobogganing, sandboarding, or just soaking up the desert-like landscape.
The massive sand dunes of Little Sahara are a playground for both kids and adults. Hire a board or toboggan, climb to the top, and fly down face-first if you’re brave enough. Tours also offer fat biking and guided walks through the dune ecology.
Tip: The sand can get hot, so early morning is best. No snow gear required. Just grab a board and go.
Go Quad Biking Through Bush Trails
Nothing puts you in the thick of the wild like a quad bike tour. With a guided tour, you’ll navigate through bushland tracks, sandy trails, and eucalyptus forests. Expect plenty of wildlife sightings – including wallabies and goannas – as well as thrilling climbs and drops.
Choose from a few different routes, including a beginner-friendly ride and a wild “Edge of the Earth” tour. Safety gear is included, and no previous experience is needed. It’s one of the most popular activities on Kangaroo Island, and for several reasons: you’ll navigate rugged tracks, spot wildlife, and even catch glimpses of koalas snoozing in eucalyptus trees.
Nature and Wildlife: Real Encounters, Not Zoo Scenes
When it comes to wildlife, few places in Australia compare to Kangaroo Island. The animals here roam free, and you’re invited to walk beside them.
Walk Among Sea Lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park
You can’t visit Kangaroo Island without stopping at Seal Bay. It’s home to Australia’s third-largest colony of endangered Australian sea lions. On the 45-minute guided walking tour, you’ll stroll just metres from these incredible creatures lounging on the sand.
Watch as they waddle, nap, or teach their pups to swim. It’s humbling, honest, and completely safe without barriers between you and the wild.
Snap Photos of Kangaroo Island Kangaroos
Unlike their mainland cousins, kangaroos on Kangaroo Island are smaller, darker, and more approachable. Due to the lack of natural predators, they’re famously calm, perfect for wildlife photography.
And you won’t need to search long. Kangaroos are a common sight in the late afternoon across open fields, forests, and even around some cabins, whether you’re lodged in the coastline CABN X or the CABN X at Cape St Albans.
Discover the New Zealand Fur Seals at Admiral’s Arch
When you head to the western tip and explore Admiral’s Arch, you’ll find a natural rock bridge that frames the Southern Ocean perfectly.
You’ll see here colonies of New Zealand fur seals lazing on the rocks or diving through crashing waves.
Wild Dolphins, Koalas, and Birdlife Galore
You can also take a boat tour around the American River or Dudley Peninsula for a chance to swim with wild dolphins. Koalas perch in tall gums across the island, especially near CABN’s secluded locations.
Birdwatchers, you’re in luck. The American River hosts flocks of seabirds along the mangrove-lined coast. From pelicans to black swans, there’s always something to spot.
Remarkable Rocks: Sculpted by Time
You just have to see SOME things to believe. The aptly named Remarkable Rocks are enormous granite boulders that have been naturally shaped by wind and rain over 500 million years. Set against the endless sea and sky, it’s a dream for photographers and a must-stop for any Kangaroo Island tour.
Just a short drive away is Admiral’s Arch, another geological wonder. The abstract Remarkable granite boulders sit atop a cliff overlooking the rugged coastline. The sunset here is unforgettable.
Food, Wine, and Island Life Flavours
Taste Honey from Pure Ligurian Bees
Kangaroo Island is home to the world’s only pure and disease-free colony of Ligurian bees, thanks to their isolation on the island. That means you can try unique honey with floral complexity and visit places like Clifford’s Honey Farm or Island Beehive to learn more.
Sip Local Wine and Spirits
Wander through cellar doors like Dudley Wines or Bay of Shoals for local wines with ocean views. For something stronger, KI Spirits offers gin, liqueurs, and botanical tastings at their rustic distillery.
Eat Your Way Around the Island
- American River is known for its local oysters, which are fresh, briny, and unforgettable.
- At Vivonne Bay General Store, the famous shark burger is a favourite among travellers.
- Don’t miss Kangaroo Island Brewery for hand-crafted beer with casual outdoor seating.
- And don’t forget Bitter Sweet Journey honey—a true taste of island terroir
Kangaroo Island Tours: Guided or DIY?
Whether you join an eco-tour or explore at your own pace, Kangaroo Island tours cater to every style.
- Guided 4WD wildlife safaris
- Culinary day tours (think wine, honey, and local oysters)
- Photography tours at golden hour
- Coastal walks with Aboriginal guides
- Self-drive itineraries with stops like Pennington Bay, Stokes Bay, and Vivonne Bay
Getting There: Planning Your Kangaroo Island Adventure
Kangaroo Island sits 13 km off South Australia’s coast and is accessible by the Kangaroo Island ferry from Cape Jervis.
Quick Travel Facts
- Ferry ride: 45 minutes from Cape Jervis
- Drive from Adelaide: Approx. 1 hour 40 minutes
- No public transport on the island
- Car hire is strongly recommended
- The island spans 150 km east to west, big enough to need planning
When to Book
Accommodation, especially luxurious accommodation like CABN’s eco-cabins, fills fast during school holidays. Book a CABN on Kangaroo Island early to lock in your dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days is enough for Kangaroo Island?
At least 3 to 5 days is ideal. With that time, you can explore Kangaroo Island activities, relax in island life, and discover other attractions like Stokes Bay, Remarkable Rocks, and Seal Bay.
What to do on Kangaroo Island with kids?
Visit Little Sahara for sandboarding, explore the koala walk at Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, or meet sea lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park. Families love quad bike tours and wildlife boat cruises too.
What not to bring to Kangaroo Island?
Leave honey, beeswax, and untreated timber at home. Kangaroo Island fiercely protects its Ligurian bees, and biosecurity is taken seriously.
Is it easy to get around Kangaroo Island?
There’s no public transport. You’ll need a car or a guided tour to see the best Kangaroo Island activities at your own pace.
What makes an accommodation in a Kangaroo Island CABN unique?
CABN offers a different kind of stay. Our eco cabins across Kangaroo Island are tucked into peaceful pockets of wilderness and beach side at Cape St. Alban. Each stay invites you to disconnect, breathe in the quiet, and explore the island as it was meant to be: naturally!
