Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail - 6 Days
AustraliaKangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail - 6 Days

6 Days
Moderate to Challenging

Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail - 6 Days

from $3,995 / person

Overview

Kangaroo Island is the third largest island in Australia, and the only way to truly explore it is on foot. The full length of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail winds through a landscape where more than a quarter of the island's area is protected within national parks, making it a paradise for walkers and naturalists alike.

Tall limestone cliffs dominate the coastline, deeply incised creeks flow out to sea, and vast areas of wilderness stretch inland. Terrestrial and marine wildlife are a constant presence throughout, encountered at close range in one of Australia's most remarkable natural environments.

Highlights

  • Walk the full Kangaroo Island Wilderness trail along magnificent coastline
  • Historic lighthouses
  • 1 night at American river in the east of the island.
  • Visit the iconic, wind-sculpted Remarkable Rocks
  • Spotting native wildlife in their natural habitat - from a colony of sea lions to kangaroos, penguins, koalas and goannas.
  • Get up close to sealions at Seal Bay to watch from a vantage point

Itinerary

Day 1

Adelaide to Kangaroo Island and Walk in Deep Creek National Park
3-4h

Start at The Terrace Hotel Adelaide at 8:30 a.m. Travel to Cape Jervis via the scenic McLaren Vale winery district, and Fleurieu Peninsula. Then, cruise by ferry to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island. Unfortunately, we may have to vary the walking order of the days to fit in with the ferry time, which can vary and be outside of our control. Our aim is to do a lovely walk in Onkaparinga or Deep Creek National Parks or the end of the Heysen Trail, the 1200-kilometre long-distance walking trail that starts in the Flinders Ranges, before hopping on the ferry and continuing on to our hotel at American river.

Accommodation

Lodge in Kangaroo Island,

Meals

Lunch, Dinner

What's Included

Accommodation

Lodge (1 night), Guest House (4 nights)

Meals

5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 5 dinners

Transfers

  • Private Vehicle Transfers
  • Ferry transfer
  • Luggage Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

4

Auswalk Walking Grade

Moderate to Challenging

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Regular hills and varied terrain. These walks involve more challenging sections. Regular walking beforehand is recommended.

View Fitness Guide

5

Days on the trail

1-18 km

Daily distance range

Daily ascent range

4/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Five nights on this walk are based in the southwest of Kangaroo Island, right on the doorstep of Flinders Chase National Park and within easy reach of the island's most celebrated natural attractions. Rooms have en-suite facilities and are comfortable, though straightforward in style, reflecting the wild and remote character of the surrounding landscape. At the end of every walking day, a hot shower and a good night's sleep are guaranteed.

What You'll Eat

Five breakfasts, five walker's lunches and five dinners are included throughout this walk. Dinners are communal two-course affairs prepared with fresh local produce, with the exception of the first night in American River where dinner is taken à la carte at the local hotel. Walker's lunches are taken daily at some of Kangaroo Island's most spectacular locations, each one varying but always including a high-protein salad, a roll or wrap, a muesli bar, something sweet and fresh fruit. The island has a growing wine industry and is celebrated for its marron and unique Ligurian honey, both well worth seeking out during your time here.

Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source in more remote parts of this walk.

More About This Trip

The walk both starts and finishes in Adelaide, South Australia. Adelaide Airport (ADL) is well connected with domestic and international flights. The walk departs at 9.00am from the Terrace Hotel, 208 South Terrace, Adelaide, on the first day.

The walk returns to Adelaide at approximately 4.30pm on the final day, with a drop-off at the same location.

Departure dates for this guided group walk are set for spring and autumn, when conditions on the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail are at their finest. Autumn brings cooler, comfortable days ideal for walking, with wildlife becoming more active. Spring sees the trails lined with wildflowers and the island's wildlife out in force. The trail runs along exposed clifftops and the island's weather can shift quickly; pack warm layers and waterproofs whatever the day looks like. Early booking is strongly recommended.

This walk is graded moderate to challenging. Daily walks average 15.5 kilometres with around 254 metres of ascent and descent, and a terrain difficulty rating of 5 out of 10. Terrain ranges from easy sandy tracks to hard rocky ground along the coastal clifftops. Experienced walkers will find ample opportunity to push themselves, with challenging distances and fascinating geological sites along the way. Two experienced guides lead throughout, with easier and harder options available to suit the group. Sturdy walking boots with reliable grip are essential.

A regular training routine of three to four times per week, with some hill work incorporated, is recommended in preparation.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.

This trip is staged in a remote area, therefore, it is not possible to accommodate complex dietary requirements, though we can accommodate common dietary needs. Please speak to the office if you have any queries.

The South Australian Museum in Adelaide, at the start of the trip, is free to enter and holds one of the world's largest collections of Aboriginal Australian cultural artefacts alongside outstanding natural history collections.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Departure

Select a fixed group departure - places are limited

Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Kangaroo Island reviews

4.9
8 reviews
5 Star
7
4 Star
1
3 Star
0
2 Star
0
1 Star
0
Alison G
5 months ago

The guides (Dave and Georgie) were wonderful. Entire trip went very well.

Katherine D
8 months ago

Great accomodation at both places. Excellent options given particularly in the longer days.

Nola H
9 months ago

As a first experience of a walk of this type I wasn’t sure what to expect however it was a great experience & I was happy that I managed to complete the distance each day.

Heather B
9 months ago

Dan was an excellent leader, driver and cook! Georgie supported him and the group very well. Slower walkers were well catered for by offering shorter or easier alternatives to the full itinerary for that part of the group. We appreciated the shortening of the Sanderson section through driving to Remarkable Rocks after spending time on the Weir Loop and Admirals Arch.

Sandra Mcav
2 years ago

Our trip went very well, foods were of good quality and our guides were very caring.

Julie G
2 years ago

Bill, Bob & Rhonda were fantastic- they exceeded expectation Rhonda - did a fabulous job - she definitely went the extra mile. Bill & Bob- were both extremely knowledgeable guides and they openly shared their experience, knowledge and passion of KI . They were able to shuffle the schedule to fit in a couple of extra activities that some of the groups were interested in. The walking was lovely and varied. We could probably have given the Gin place a miss - but I realizes that this could be a highlight for other groups. They also definitely went the extra mile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The island is accessible by ferry from the South Australian mainland or by flying directly to Kingscote Airport on the island. Transport to and from the island is included in the package — check your specific itinerary for details.

The trip follows the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail along the island's spectacular coastline, taking in dramatic clifftop paths, untouched beaches, and iconic landmarks including Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch. A visit to Seal Bay, home to a large fur seal colony, is also included on some itineraries.

This is a pack-free walking holiday. Your luggage is transported between accommodations, and you carry only a light daypack on the trails each day. Note that luggage is limited to 25kg per bag.

Kangaroo Island is one of Australia's best wildlife destinations. Expect to encounter kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, echidnas, goannas, sea lions, and penguins in their natural habitat, with the fur seal colony at Seal Bay a particular highlight.

A moderate level of fitness is recommended. The trail follows rugged coastal terrain with some uneven ground and clifftop sections. Those with a reasonable level of activity and some walking experience will be well prepared.

Broken-in hiking footwear with good grip is essential for the coastal terrain. Pack layers for variable weather, sun protection, and a light waterproof jacket. A full gear list will be provided before departure.

Yes, and it's a condition of booking. Your policy should cover injury, cancellation, and loss of luggage.

Want to Know More?

The Kangaroo Island experience

Wonder
Walk past the Remarkable Rocks, extraordinary granite formations sculpted over 500 million years
Descend to Admirals Arch and stand beside a resident fur seal colony on the wild Southern Ocean coast
The Cape du Couedic Lighthouse cottages, restored heritage buildings from 1907, are a remarkable overnight base
Wellness
Kangaroo Island's isolation from the mainland has created one of Australia's most intact and wildlife-rich ecosystems
Regional Kangaroo Island wines and locally produced food accompany each evening after the walk
Walking the Wilderness Trail at your own pace, with luggage carried ahead, removes all pressure from the day
Nature
Pristine coastal heathland, exposed sea cliffs, and remote beaches along the island's rugged south-west
Kangaroo Island kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, and sea eagles are frequent trail companions
The remote south-western coast sees few visitors and fewer footprints outside the walking groups