Overview
Auswalk has been guiding Kangaroo Island walking holidays for nearly 20 years, walking the island and parts of the trail that have subsequently morphed into the new Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. Our Kangaroo Island walking holidays combine these new magnificent sections of track, with our favourite old bits. Given that the island is the third largest in Australia, it has a lot to offer, but it can only be fully explored on foot.
With over a quarter of the island’s area protected within national parks, it’s a paradise for walkers and naturalists. Tall limestone cliffs dominate the coastline and deeply incised creeks flow out to sea. As well as stunning stretches of coastal landscapes, are vast areas of wilderness and highly visible terrestrial and marine wildlife.
Kelly Hill Caves, Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch and the 7000-strong colony of fur seals, frolicking on rocky platforms are some of the highlights of this outstanding walk. Not to mention the two night stay at Cape du Couedic Lighthouse which allows you to enjoy the splendid isolation of the island exclusively each evening.
Every last detail is taken care of so you can fully experience this stunning island stress free. The meals are mostly chef prepared and include 2 course a la carte dinners. With two outstanding guides looking after you, you can pace yourself because we can offer a choice of easier or harder walking options along the way.
GROUP-GUIDED
Trip Length
Days
From
$
per person twin/double shareSingle Supplement
$585
per person
Single Supplement
Australian hotel accommodations charge the same price per room regardless of whether there is one or two people occupying it.
In order to cover the cost of the accommodation when occupied by one person we need to charge the single supplement fee, a cost that we make no margin on.
Grade
Easy to Moderate
Grade 2 - Easy to Moderate
Some hill sections and occasional steps. Walking experience not required.Data required for rest of form
Walk Type:
Walk Length: Days
Departure Date:
Person Single Cost: $
Single Supplement: $
Workbooks ID:
DAY 1
Start at Adelaide airport at 9.30am (an earlier pick up is available from a CBD hotel at 09.00am). Travel via the scenic Onkaparinga area, McLaren Vale winery district and Fleurieu Peninsula to Cape Jervis. If conditions permit, there will be time for a short walk on the Heysen Trail or at the Deep Creek Conservation Park. Cruise by ferry over to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island.
Walking: Easy / 3-4 km / 1 hr
Meals: Walkers lunch and two course a la carte chef prepared dinner at the resort
Accommodation: Kangaroo Island Seafront Resort
DAY 2
This morning we’ll travel to the extreme eastern end of the island for a tour of the Cape Willoughby Lightstation. There are three historic lighthouses in all to explore on this walk, each with its own unique features and history. At Cape Willoughby, enjoy a walk through history and there may be an opportunity to climb to the top of the lighthouse. After that, we will travel to the mid-section of the island to Seal Bay where you’ll see Australian sea lions in their natural habitat. There are also populations of kangaroos, wallabies, possums, echidnas, goannas, penguins, koalas, Cape Barren geese, fur seals and platypus. The boardwalks and lookout offer great views over the coast. The afternoon’s walk features historic sites at Weirs Cove, a fur seal colony at Admirals Arch and an exploration of the Cape du Couedic Lightstation precinct.
Walking: Easy / 10 km / 3 hrs
Meals: Cooked breakfast in resort restaurant, walkers lunch and two course guide prepared dinner. Dinner is its own highlight as we dine in the grounds of the historic lighthouse.
Accommodation: Cape du Couedic Lighthouse
DAY 3
Today we will walk a section of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail from Snake lagoon all the way to Cape du Couedic Lighthouse (our accommodation tonight). The walking is quite remote as we follow riverside tracks as they meander to the tumultuous ocean. This is a moody place with a real sense of isolation. The afternoon’s easier option is a circuit walk in the Rocky River area where there should be lots of wildlife and flora. Those lucky enough might even spot an elusive platypus in the stream.
Walking: Moderate / 16.5 km / 6 hrs / easier option of 8 or 11 km available
Meals: Breakfast, walkers lunch and dinner is an exclusive experience in the lighthouse grounds. Enjoy a champagne sunset before sitting down as a group for a feast prepared by your guides.
Accommodation: Cape du Couedic lighthouse
DAY 4
Today covers another section of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. We will walk another part of the Wilderness Trail from our accommodation at Cape du Couedic to Sanderson Bay heading toward Remarkable Rocks. The track enters dense coastal mallee country before breaking out to the awesome sight of the iconic Remarkable Rocks. The wind-sculptured Remarkable Rocks proudly sit on top of a huge granite dome – a testament to 500 million years of nature’s erosion.
Walking: Moderate / 15.5 km / 6 hrs / easier option available
Meals: Breakfast, walkers lunch and two course a la carte chef prepared dinner at the retreat restaurant
Accommodation: Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat
DAY 5
Today starts at remote Hanson Beach. The track meanders through a delightful bushland walk passing several lagoons teeming with bird life. After lunch, we’ll visit Kelly Hill Caves for a tour of the limestone caverns. Here you’ll see the most unusual helictites.
In the afternoon, there will be an option of hiking back to Hanson Beach and continuing on along the cliff tops or enjoying a visit to Vivonne Beach, a stunning arc of white sand.
There will be time for a stroll or a swim in the crystal clear waters. As well as walking you’ll visit Kelly Hill Caves and see ornate limestone formations, sinkholes, caverns and extensive chambers. These are no ordinary caves – you’ve no doubt seen stalagmites and stalactites, but have you ever seen helictites?
Walking: Moderate / 20 km / 7 hrs / easier 9 or 11 km option available
Meals: Breakfast in restaurant, walkers lunch and two course a la carte chef prepared dinner at the retreat restaurant
Accommodation: Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat
DAY 6
Today we’ll head for the very remote Cape Borda region. The morning hiking will take the path used by early lighthouse keepers to transport supplies from the boat landing to the lightstation itself. Our finale will be a remote hike in the Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Area where you can explore some fascinating limestone caves. We also explore Cape Borda Lighthouse on the last walking day, a special square lighthouse that’s perched high above Investigator Strait, and was built in 1858 to guide sailing ships arriving off the ‘roaring forties’ trade routes.
Walking: Easy to Moderate / 10 to 12 km / 6 hrs / easier option available
Meals: Breakfast, walkers lunch and two course a la carte chef prepared dinner at the retreat restaurant
Accommodation: Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat
DAY 7
Travel back to Penneshaw and catch the ferry to the mainland. We will be stopping for lunch in the McLaren Vale wine region, before arriving back in Adelaide at around 4.00pm.
Meals: Breakfast in retreat restaurant and lunch at a local winery/cafe.
Walk Grading
The tracks are well graded and mostly easy to negotiate. Full day walks average about 14km and are mostly flat or undulating. There is an opportunity for walkers to really challenge themselves on the full walking days.
*Walk grading and map are not to scale and indicative only.
Walking Track
- Genuine all inclusive pack free walking holiday
- 2 engaging, knowledgeable and experienced guides
- 6 nights’ comfortable ensuited accommodation
- All meals including breakfasts, 6 dinners (four chef-prepared) and 7 walkers lunches
- Kelly Hill Cave and Seal Bay tours
- Kangaroo Island ferry tickets
- All transport from Adelaide
- Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail fees and national park admission
- Champagne sunset at Remarkable Rocks
- Auswalk guide pack including notes, maps, map case, insulated lunch bag and container
Comfort is always a priority, at the end of each day on these Kangaroo Island walking holidays a hot shower, glass of wine and an excellent two course meal awaits. A comfortable night’s sleep ensures you’ll wake refreshed and primed, ready for the next day’s walking after breakfast.
The accommodation at Penneshaw is a good quality resort motel with ensuites. Conveniently located across from the beach overlooking Backstairs Passage. Our exclusive stay at Cape du Couedic Lighthouse allows us free reign over the property. Please note that there are shared bathrooms and no single rooms at the lighthouse and we will be staying in lighthouse keepers’ cottages. The stone cottages are adjacent to the lighthouse and make for a great place to watch the sunset.
The meals at the lighthouse are substantial elaborate affairs expertly prepared by your guides. Outside of the lighthouse, it’s two course dinners prepared by professional chefs at the accommodation restaurants.
Rooms at the Kangaroo Wilderness Lodge have ensuites, with the lodge providing the perfect location to explore the west end of the island.
Packed lunches and picnics complete the circle ensuring that your appetite is always satisfied. In fact, you can look forward to having lunch on a daily basis at incredible locations on the island. A walkers lunch may include a high protein type salad, a roll or a wrap, a muesli bar, cake or muffin and a piece of fruit. Each day is slightly different. Lunch is always augmented by Auswalk’s famous trail mix. Importantly, you start each day with a substantial breakfast, four of them expertly prepared by professional chefs. This is a great way to ready yourself for the upcoming walk.
Kangaroo Island has a burgeoning wine industry and is also well known for its marron and unique Ligurian honey.
Alcohol or drinks with meals are not included (except tea/coffee and juice with breakfast).
The tracks are dry, firm and well cared for on Kangaroo Island. Most of the walks are easy to moderate. The easy walks are great for first timers; however, the experienced hikers won’t be disappointed as there is ample opportunity to walk challenging distances and explore some fascinating geological sites. The new Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail as you’d expect is extremely well cared for and makes for excellent walking.
This trip operates with a pair of expert guides that lead the way, providing the flexibility to walk at a pace that suits you and offering a choice of easier or harder walking options along the way.
Pre and post tour accommodation: There are many hotels in Adelaide however we pick up and drop off at the Sage Hotel, 208 South Terrace, Adelaide. The tour starts at 9.00 at the Sage Hotel. We arrive back in Adelaide at approximately 4.00pm on the last day
For what to bring please refer to Gear Advice on our FAQ section.
WEATHER
We only depart at the best time and for Kangaroo Island this is autumn and spring. See the Bureau of Meteorology’s information about temperatures and rainfall ahead of time to ensure suitable clothing.
INSURANCE
We strongly recommend purchasing a travel insurance policy as we charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your Auswalk holiday after we have confirmed it. We offer a 30% discount on travel insurance booked via our website. Get an instant quote and purchase online now.
INFORMATION PACK
For nearly 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you’ll have many more questions. You will receive a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail and much more.
CONTACT
If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants or to speak with one of our guides. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.
