Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail

Walk Overview

The Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail is located in the remote south-west corner of Kangaroo Island, amidst Flinders Chase National Park, Cape Bouguer Wilderness Protection Area and Kelly Hill Conservation Park. The combination of the vast Southern Ocean and the pristine bushland and forest produces an amazing walk locale.

The Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail opened in 2016 following a substantial investment by the South Australian Government in track building/upgrading and campsite infrastructure. It quickly became recognised as one of Australia's premier multi-day walks. Tragedy then struck in the form of the 2019-20 bushfires. The whole region in which the Trail is located was badly burnt and much of the Trail infrastructure was destroyed. Over the following four years, a substantial recovery program was undertaken and in December 2023 the Trail was finally opened again to both independent walkers and groups.

The walk is a point to point walk. You travel from west to east, starting at the Flinders Chase National Park Visitor Centre and finishing at the popular Kelly Hill Caves (located in the Kelly Hill Conservation Park). The Trail is a mix of inland, forest paths and coastal clifftop and beach walking. Whilst the Trail passes through quite remote areas, there are some tourist amenities in the vicinity (although not as many as prior to the fires), meaning that you can undertake the walk at various comfort and challenge levels.

The National Parks & Wildlife Service of South Australia operates the walk. To preserve the wilderness experience and minimise the environmental impact of visitors, the NPWS operates a booking/permit system which limits the number of people on the Trail. An independent walker permit entitles the holder to use the campsites that have been established at the end of each day's walk. Permits held by licensed tour operators entitle the operator to transfer their clients to and from the Trail at the start and finish of each day (or to use the campsites).

There are many factors contributing to the of popularity of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. One of those is the abundance of native wildlife to be found in its vicinity. Being almost entirely free of feral animals, Kangaroo Island is a natural wildlife sanctuary. Kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, echidnas, possums, fur seals, and platypus all populate the area as well as a huge array of spectacular birdlife. There are also some fascinating geological features, including Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch, Weirs Cove, Kelly Hill Caves and Cape Younghusband.

The popularity also stems from the walk's flexibility. It can be undertaken via the four well set-up campsites or on an accommodated basis, using accommodation located near to the walk. The availability of good B&B, cabin and resort accommodation options has enabled a number of tour operators to add the walk to their portfolio. Currently, most of them are operating on a guided basis.

The Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail is 66 kilometres in length and, following the NPWS itinerary, is undertaken over five days (with the first and last days being short days). At an average daily distance of 13 kilometres, and not a lot of ascents or descents, the walk is easy for most reasonably fit people.

The NPWS five day itinerary is described below. Some of the tour operators have offerings involving a lesser period on the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail, but a day or two walking elsewhere on Kangaroo Island.

Assistance and further information:

• For assistance in walking all or part of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail, click the button below:

• For information on walking on Kangaroo Island generally, click the button below:

• To read a Walk Travel Advisory December 2023 News article on the re-opening of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail, click the button below:

• The NPWS five day itinerary is described below. Some of the tour operators have offerings involving a lesser period on the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail, but a day or two walking elsewhere on Kangaroo Island.

Itinerary

The National Parks & Wildlife Service five day itinerary is shown below.

Day 1

Flinders Chase Visitor Centre to Snake Lagoon

Distance: 18 km

Time: 7 hours

Accommodation: Camping; Cabins, Resort (off-trail)

Day 2

Snake Lagoon to Cape du Couedic

Distance: 14 km

Time: 7 hours

Accommodation: Camping; Cabins, Resort (off-trail)

Day 3

Cape du Couedic to Sanderson Bay

Distance: 13 km

Time: 6 hours

Accommodation: Camping; Cabins, Resort (off-trail)

Walk Options

Guided

Several tour operators offer part or all of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail as a guided trip. You can choose to do the entire 66 kilometre walk or opt for shorter versions.

The tour operators that offer the full walk generally follow the five day walking itinerary described above.

Accommodation options on the guided walks include resorts (ranging from luxury to very comfortable), lighthouse cottages, beach cottages or cabins and B&B’s. Rooms with private facilities are available at all these options.

Typically, the package offered by these operators includes:

• Transfers to and from Adelaide

• Kangaroo Island ferry service

• Two professional guides

• Accommodation

• All meals

• Transfers between the track and the accommodation

• Trail and National park fees

Some tour operators offer additional activities such as a tour of the Kelly Hill Caves at the end of the walk, a ranger tour at Seal Bay and a visit to a specialist food producer spirits outlet.

Assisted self-guided

Prior to the fires, several tour operators offered comprehensive self-guided services. Typically, the services included some or all of the following:

• Track notes, maps and information pack

• Accommodation (if not using track campsites)

• Vehicle transfers between track and accommodation

• Luggage transfer between campsites

• Breakfasts, dinners and packed lunches

• Track and National Park fees

• Some level of emergency support

The duration of the self-guided options was generally five days. As at the start of 2024, the opportunities to undertake a tour operator assisted self-guided walk are very limited.

Independent

The National Parks & Wildlife Service maintains four campsites along the walk.  Their distribution has been planned so that there are camping locations roughly a day’s walk apart along the track. You’re not permitted to stay more than one night at each campsite.

The track campsites have tent platforms, bush toilets, rainwater tanks, shelter for food preparation and basic camp furniture. Obviously, independent walkers must bring their own camping gear (although one tour operator does offer a camping trip using the track campsites and carrying day-packs only).

Essential Information

Access

The starting point for the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail is the Flinders Chase National Park Visitors Centre. There is no public transport service to the start, but a private transport service operates to and from the Kangaroo Island ferry terminal and the airport.

From the end of the walk at Kelly Caves, it’s possible to organise a bus transfer back to the Flinders Chase National Park Visitors Centre.

Park Entry

To do the walk a permit must be obtained and a fee is payable for that permit. If using the walk campsites, the permit guarantees you a tent platform at each campsite.

Best time

The best time to do the walk is between March and November. The spring months of September to November are especially appealing as the area’s wildflowers are on full display and Cape Barron Geese can be readily sighted.

Difficulty

This walk is rated at a easy level of difficulty. That’s based on a person with average walking fitness. The average walking time per day ranges from 3.5 to 6.5 hours, so you should ensure you are comfortable doing that. Obviously, the walk will be harder if you are camping and carrying full packs.

Accommodation

In addition to the walk accommodation described in ‘Walk Options’ above, there are several accommodation options at either end of the trail. There are also other accommodation providers near to the track, some offering luxury facilities.

Most of the accommodation providers are attuned to walkers’ needs and offer amenities suited to walkers. 

We can assist walkers in choosing the accommodation options which best suit their needs.

Other activities

Kangaroo Island offers many attractions in addition to the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. Many walkers add a few days to their trip to sample these attractions, which include visits to various local food and wine producers. We can assist you in planning this part of your holiday.

Assistance

We can assist walkers with various aspects of their walking holidays.