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Top 5 Things to Do in Kangaroo Island

Here are the top 5 must-dos for your visit to Kangaroo Island.

Putting the SA in USA: Glam Adelaide’s intern Brooke is all the way from a small town in Oklahoma, America! During her 2 month stay here she is exploring Adelaide and South Australia and reporting her findings. 

Kangaroo Island is only an hour and a half drive and forty five minute ferry from Adelaide, but once you get there it feels like you’re on a completely different planet. With a population of a little more than 4,000 people, Kangaroo Island has kept all its natural beauty. It’s a great place to go for a weekend trip (I would recommend 3 days at the shortest), or for a week long hiatus from society. The ferry can also haul your car to the island. I believe this is the best option because you’ll see much more of what the island has to offer. Not to mention you’ll feel like Indiana Jones navigating the dirt roads with your map in had (you’ll need one, for lack of cell service) as you discover beautiful beaches, seals, kangaroos and so much more.

Here are the top 5 must-dos for your visit to Kangaroo Island.

5.) KIS Spirits

KI Spirits

Kangaroo Island Spirits is Australia’s only boutique distillery, and they produce all their products at their micro-distillery on Kangaroo Island.  When you pull up the drive-way to the quaint facility you’re a bit unsure if you’re at the right place.  The joint looks slightly dated and not what you would expect from a spirits distillery, but that’s the beauty of it. When you walk into the building you automatically know you’re going to gain a memorable experience. You get a free tasting of all their best products, and it’s some of the smoothest spirits you’ll ever taste. Ask them about their infamous aged gin, they only make one barrel a year (about 20 bottles), and rumour has it’s the best gin you’ll ever try. *Also, go to the nearby Island Pure Sheep Dairy and try their fresh and delicious cheese.

4.) Little Sahara

Little Sahara

Little Sahara covers about two square kilometres near Vivonne Bay. It’s a beautiful place and looks exactly like it sounds, the Sahara Dessert. After you climb to the top of the highest dune the view reaches as far as the eye can see. The dunes are naturally occurring and can reach as high as 70 metres above sea level, which makes it a great place to rent a sand board or toboggan. I advise to resist the urge to run down the sand dunes.  You might fall, and it will hurt…. a lot.

3.) Admirals Arch/The Remarkable Rocks

Remarkable

Kill two birds with one stone by going to the Remarkable Rocks and Admiral Arch. They are conveniently close to each other, and two experiences that cannot be missed.  I recommend going to Admirals Arch first thing in the morning before too many people arrive. Check out the beautiful lighthouse you see upon arrival, and then walk down to see the New Zealand fur seals in their natural habitat (they’re adorable).  You can also visit seals at Sea Bay, but if you only have time for one go to Admirals Arch.  The seals seemed more active at Admirals Arch, you can get within 1 metre of the them and seeing the fur seals under the arch itself is a beautiful experience.

The Remarkable Rocks are well, remarkable.  Kangaroo Island is the only place in the world where you can see a sight like this. The one-of-a-kind shape of the rocks is due to wind, sea spray and rain which has caused them to erode over a span of 500 million years.  The large formation of rocks overlook the coast, making it one of the best and unique place to take photos in Kangaroo Island.

2.) Paul’s Wildlife Sanctuary

pauls

You won’t get an experience like Paul’s Wildlife anywhere else. It’s definitely not just another zoo. Paul is very relaxed and gives you the unique opportunity to personally interact will all of the animals.  The first thing he did when I got there was throw a kangaroo in my arms like it was a baby, (I was told not to try this at home).  At Paul’s you will find all the Australian born and bred animals you can think of.  From echidnas to koalas you’ll see it all (and hold them all), for a price much cheaper than going to a zoo.  Not to mention, all they animals at Paul’s are rescued!

1.) Western River Cove

Western river cove

Western River Cove is one of those places I’ll never forget.  There are countless beautiful beaches in Australia, but this cove has a unique charm about it.  As you make the drive down the secluded dirt road you see hills that resemble those you’d find in Scotland.  Once you park your car you walk over a bridge that leads you to a 200 metre river walk, which opens up into your personal oasis.  The cove isn’t very well known, so the odds are you’ll have it all to yourself.  The massive green hills paired with your own sliver of ocean is beyond breathtaking. *Honourable mentions to Stokes Bay which has an incredible winding cave walk to the beach front, and Vivonne Beach which was voted the number one most beautiful beach in the world in 2011.

The best thing about Kangaroo Island is it’s a hidden gem from most of the outside world. It’s not infested with tourist or ruined by rubbish.  KI is truly an island paradise. If you’d like to see a video of my experience in Kangaroo Island, or more pictures go here.

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