Kangaroo Island: Australia's Wildlife Wonderland

Kangaroo Island isn't truly remote — it just feels a world away. Off the coast of South Australia, ringed by aquamarine water, it distills the best of the Australian mainland into one richly varied island of bushland, beaches and wildlife.

A natural stronghold

Covering some 4,500 square kilometres, more than a third of Kangaroo Island is protected as conservation or national park. It is one of the country's finest places to see wildlife in the wild — New Zealand fur seals and Australian sea lions hauled out on the sand, koalas in the gums, kangaroos, echidnas and ospreys.

What to see

• Seal Bay — walk among a wild Australian sea lion colony.
• Flinders Chase National Park — Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch.
• Pristine beaches — often empty, even in summer.
• Local produce — honey, eucalyptus, wine and fresh seafood.

Luxury in the wild

Kangaroo Island is also home to Southern Ocean Lodge — destroyed in the 2020 bushfires and magnificently rebuilt, reopening in December 2023. Swain Destinations arranges private island touring and its finest stays within tailor-made Australia journeys.