Kangaroo Island Natural Wonders Bucket List

Encircled by a jaw-dropping coastline and home to mesmerizing natural wonders, mysterious landscapes and abundant wildlife - Kangaroo Island is unlike anywhere else on earth.

Just a stone’s throw from Adelaide, this isolated pocket of island wilderness offers up some of the most authentic nature experiences in Australia. Get back to nature on island time and roam along postcard-perfect beaches, traverse ancient landscapes shaped by time and get up close to iconic Australian animals. Read on to unearth Kangaroo Island’s best natural attractions and start ticking off your bucket list.

1. Remarkable Rocks

The wind-blasted boulders of Remarkable Rocks are synonymous with Kangaroo Island. This geological phenomenon has been crafted from granite by the pounding wind, sea, and rain for over 500 million years and is one of the most recognisable landmarks on the island. Tucked within the wilds of Flinders Chase National Park, commanding views over the Southern Ocean only add to the drama of this eagerly photographed landscape. Morning and late afternoons are the best times to visit as the sun transforms the lichen-covered rocks into glowing monuments of Mother Nature’s artistry.

2. Admirals Arch

Just a little further down the coast another geological masterpiece awaits. Admirals Arch is a natural rock arch carved out over thousands of years by the unrelenting forces of the sea. Stalactites adorn the time-weathered rock formation and frame the roaring Southern Ocean beyond. The waters below are a haven for New Zealand fur seals who sunbake at the water’s edge and frolic in the shallow rockpools, while wildlife lovers will also often be rewarded with sightings of dolphins, whales and unique birdlife.

3. Emu Bay

The long, white sandy beach of Emu Bay is simply breathtaking. This gorgeous stretch of sand and surf is protected from the elements; if it's windy in Kingscote, just slide around to Emu Bay, finding conditions calm, clear and primed for soaking in the sun. No need to worry about parking either, as you can drive on the beach then immediately plonk yourself on the sand. For another dose of natural history, keep your eye out for the Emu Bay Shale; one of only two fossil beds in the world to showcase a unique extinct marine arthropod (Redlichiidan trilobites for the scientifically inclined). If you’re chasing the sun, here’s our guide to the best beaches on Kangaroo Island.

4. Vivonne Bay

Imagine sinking your toes into powdered-sugar sand and diving into crystal-clear waters reminiscent of a true island getaway. Like something out of your wildest tropical beach dreams, Kangaroo Island’s Vivonne Bay is a genuine island paradise. Once voted Australia’s best beach, six kilometres of white sandy shores meet gently lapping waves. With a jetty framing the south-end and distant dunes in the north, this beach is the perfect spot for a quick dip, a picnic, or a spot of fishing. The beach is also a popular haunt for the locals, with dolphins and seals often spotted enjoying the pristine waters. Be sure to stop off at Vivonne Bay General Store on your journey to enjoy their famous KI whiting burger - it's not to be missed!

5. Little Sahara Desert

Wind-sculpted sand dunes sprawl out towards the ocean at Kangaroo Island’s Little Sahara Desert. Explore the undulating dune network stretching two square kilometres and stop for a spot of surfing… on the sand. Less than a 10-minute drive from Vivonne Bay, hire a sandboard or toboggan from Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action and sail down the pillowy peaks – the tallest dune towers about 70 metres above sea level.

6. Stokes Bay

Pull up in the Stokes Bay carpark, weave through a little labyrinth of caves and emerge onto some of the whitest sand and clearest water in Australia. This secluded seaside sanctuary is one of the most idyllic spots to throw down a towel on Kangaroo Island. Flanked by Snelling Beach and Emu Bay, the northern coastline of Kangaroo Island is primed for balmy summer days spent beach hopping from one picture-perfect cove to the next. There are also plenty of beachside abodes to settle in for summer; for views of Stokes Bay, check into Stowaway.

Cast-off to Kangaroo Island...

Ready to escape to Kangaroo Island? Write your bucket list then check out our suggested itinerary for more things to do plus the best places to stay and eat on Kangaroo Island.