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OVERVIEW

Expect breathtaking coastal scenery, magnificent coastal forest and an abundance of wildlife. A quarter of the island, Australia’s third-biggest, is protected within national parks, making it a sanctuary for native animals, like platypus and Koalas. The 67km purpose-built walking track meanders its way through eucalypt and mallee forest via stunning stretches of coastal landscapes.

The tall limestone cliffs dominate the landscape, the same cliffs that played havoc with at least 60 ships that foundered themselves on these shores. There’s nothing between you and Antartica other than the massive Southern Ocean. Interestingly, the upwelling here provides a one of a kind haven for marine wildlife like whales, seals and dolphins so keep your eyes peeled.

 

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Genuine fully inclusive pack free walking holiday
  • Walk the Wilderness Trail end to end
  • Kelly Hill Caves, Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch, Rocky River and seal colonies
  • All meals on the walk
  • Stunning views over the ocean at remote Hansons Bay and beach
  • Transfers from Kingscote Airport or Penneshaw ferry terminal

WALK OVERVIEW

TYPE OF WALK
SELF GUIDED
TRIP LENGTH
6 DAYS
WALK GRADE
Moderate

Grade 3 – Moderate

Short, steep hill sections. Moderate active lifestyle and some walking experience recommended.
PRICE FROM
$ 2195

per person twin/double share

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$ 535

Accommodations charge the same price per room regardless of whether there are one or two people occupying it. To cover the cost of the accommodation when occupied by one person we need to charge the single occupancy fee.

per person

DOWNLOAD PDF
Departure Dates
Book now

ITINERARY

  • Day 1
  • Day 2
  • Day 3
  • Day 4
  • Day 5
  • Day 6

DAY 1
VISITORS CENTRE TO SNAKE LAGOON

Catch the 9.30 flight from Adelaide to Kingscote airport arriving on Kangaroo Island around 10am.  We will transfer you to your first accommodation where you will pick up lunch and have a safety overview. Today you walk from the visitor’s centre to Rocky River and Snake lagoon through gorgeous eucalypt forest, via swampland and the Platypus pools. Stop for a moment at the rapids and rockpools along the way, and keep an eye out for the stacks of wildlife coming in to take a drink. Expect to see Cape Baron Geese, Wallabies and Kangaroos plus a whole lot more.

Walking: Easy to moderate/ 12km / 3 – 4hrs
Meals: Lunch and two-course dinner
Accommodation: Luxury Cabins at Western Kangaroo Island  Caravan Park with ensuites

DAY 2
SNAKE LAGOON TO ADMIRALS ARCH

From Rocky River, it’s a gentle walk down the river to the Southern Ocean. There’s nothing between here and the Southern Ocean; the wilder the weather, the bigger the show. The views of the massive swells crashing against the cliffs paired with the peacefulness of this splendid remote landscape sets the tone for the rest of the walk. From May to September there’s a chance you’ll see whales. The walk follows the coast both on the cliff tops and on the beach eventually heading in land via Hakea Campground to the other side of Cape de Couedic Peninsula. The walk via Weirs Cove and Cape de Couedic Lighthouse to Admirals Arch is one of the real highlights of the trail.

Walking: Moderate / 18.5km / 5.5 – 6.5hrs / 14km option is available
Meals: Breakfast, walkers lunch pack and 2-course dinner
Accommodation: Luxury Cabins at Western Kangaroo Island  Caravan Park with ensuites

DAY 3
HAKEA CAMPGROUND VIA REMARKABLE ROCKS TO SANDERSON BAY

Today’s walk starts in a thick Mallee Forrest and arrives at Remarkable Rocks about half way through the day, making it one of the best lunch destinations in the country. The granite boulders sculptured by the forces of nature have an artistic, almost surrealist feel to them, that would have made Salvadore Dali proud (if he had created them that is). Sanderson Bay and the remote Sanderson Beach is a very peaceful place to wait for your pick up if you are running early.

Walking: Moderate / 13km / 3.5 – 4.5hrs
Meals: Breakfast, walkers lunch pack and 2 course dinner
Accommodation: Luxury Cabins at Western Kangaroo Island  Caravan Park with ensuites

DAY 4
SANDERSON BAY TO HANSON BAY

Today’s section is one of the best, if not the best. From Sanderson Bay, it’s back to the coast past Cape Young Husband. The coastal views are stupendous before heading off through cooler mallee and tea tree forest. Walk through to stunning Hanson Bay and your accommodation. Hanson Bay is one of the most beautiful places on the island. There’s a very safe bay or an estuary to take a swim, and there are additional beach walks on your doorstep if you feel so inclined. Depending on the time of year, there is likely to be hardly anyone here, so in the evening it’ll feel like having your own private beach.

Walking: Moderate / 11km / 3 – 4hrs
Meals: Breakfast, walkers lunch pack and 2 course dinner
Accommodation: Cabins at Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary with ensuites

DAY 5
HANSON BAY TO KELLY HILL CAVES

Walk out from your accommodation one of 2 ways. Back the way you came in yesterday, along the road and across the South West River on a very ingenious punt-like boat system. Or walk along the beach, over the sand hills and along the river to the same point. The track opens up to large natural grassland, thus the name and an abundance of birdlife. From here we walk around Grassdale Lagoon and then inland to Kelly Hill Caves, through a much taller gumtree forest, before meeting the Burgess Hike. There is a short side-trip here to the old entrance of Kelly Hill Caves. Lookout for the many craters which feed water into the caves below. At Kelly Hill Caves Visitor Centre pass through the iron ‘gate’, to mark the end of the 67km Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail.

Walking: Easy to moderate / 11km / 3 – 4hrs
Meals: Breakfast, walkers lunch pack and 2 course dinner
Accommodation: Cabins at Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary with ensuites

 

DAY 6
RETURN TO ADELAIDE

Breakfast is included on your last morning on the island. You will be transferred to the town of Kingscote in the afternoon to explore and have lunch. Your walking holiday finishes with a private transfer to Kingscote airport to catch the evening flight back to Adelaide.

Meals: Breakfast

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Pack-free walking

  • 25+ years experience

  • Customised

  • Eco Travel

  • Private transfers to and from Kingscote Airport on Kangaroo Island
  • Genuine all inclusive pack free walking holiday
  • 5 nights’ comfortable accommodation
  • 5 breakfasts, 5 (2 course) dinners, 5 walkers lunches
  • Transfers out to your accommodation and transfers on and off the track
  • Kangaroo Island Wilderness track fees
  • Walkers pack including notes, maps, map case, insulated lunch bag and container.

ACCOMMODATION & DINING

OVERVIEW

Comfortable self-contained private cabins. Both sets of cabins are in beautiful locations. The Hanson Bay location is simply stunning.

Healthy and delicious food will be provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner. All of the meals are provided by Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. A walkers lunch may include a high protein type salad, a roll or a wrap, cake or muffin of some kind and a piece of fruit. You’ll lunch at beautiful locations on the track and each day may be slightly different. The 2 course dinners are also substantial and will involve some very minor preparation.

Alcohol and drinks with meals are not included except tea/coffee and juice with breakfast. You will be dining in self contained cabins, please feel free to purchase your own alcohol and bring to Kangaroo Island with you. Please note the accommodations you are staying at are remote there is limited alcohol and snacks available for purchase. If there are any particular drinks or snacks you would like please make sure you bring these to the island with you.

GENERAL INFO

GETTING THERE AND AWAY

Flying (highly recommended)
Arrive in Kingscote Airport on Kangaroo Island around 10am. You can fly from Adelaide Airport through Regional Express. The flight takes around 30 minutes. There is a 9.30am flight daily please check times on the Regional Express website. You will need to arrange your own flights.

We will transfer you back to Kingscote in time to catch the evening flight at 6.30pm to Adelaide.

Please confirm your walk with Auswalk before booking flights. 

Bus and ferry
There ferries that travel from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw. Please bear in mind that this method takes much longer and the coach services do not match up with the ferries. We highly recommend flying.

 

WEATHER

This trip is suitable at any time in the year. However, spring and autumn are the most kind conditions for walking. See the Bureau of Meteorology’s information about temperatures and rainfall ahead of time to ensure proper clothing.

INSURANCE

We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance for all of our trips. We absolutely require that you purchase a travel insurance policy for all travel overseas. We charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it. It is also important in the event of an accident or loss of property.  See FAQ’s for more information.

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

However, you may have more questions right now. Please feel free to ask one of our destination consultants in the office or ask to speak to one of our guides. You can contact us via our contact form on the website, email us on info@auswalk.com.au or call us, our favourite option on 1300 777 878 (International +613 9597 9767)

 

MAP

DEPARTURE DATES

  • DATES
    AVAILABILITY
    PRICE
    Single Occupancy
    DETAILS
  • 1 Sep 2019 - 31 Dec 2020
    AVAILABLE
    from

    $2195

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $535
    BOOK NOW
  • 1 Jan 2021 - 31 Dec 2021
    AVAILABLE
    from

    $2295

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $555
    BOOK NOW
Overview

OVERVIEW

Expect breathtaking coastal scenery, magnificent coastal forest and an abundance of wildlife. A quarter of the island, Australia’s third-biggest, is protected within national parks, making it a sanctuary for native animals, like platypus and Koalas. The 67km purpose-built walking track meanders its way through eucalypt and mallee forest via stunning stretches of coastal landscapes.

The tall limestone cliffs dominate the landscape, the same cliffs that played havoc with at least 60 ships that foundered themselves on these shores. There’s nothing between you and Antartica other than the massive Southern Ocean. Interestingly, the upwelling here provides a one of a kind haven for marine wildlife like whales, seals and dolphins so keep your eyes peeled.

 

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Genuine fully inclusive pack free walking holiday
  • Walk the Wilderness Trail end to end
  • Kelly Hill Caves, Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch, Rocky River and seal colonies
  • All meals on the walk
  • Stunning views over the ocean at remote Hansons Bay and beach
  • Transfers from Kingscote Airport or Penneshaw ferry terminal

WALK OVERVIEW

TYPE OF WALK
SELF GUIDED
TRIP LENGTH
6 DAYS
WALK GRADE
Moderate

Grade 3 – Moderate

Short, steep hill sections. Moderate active lifestyle and some walking experience recommended.
PRICE FROM
$ 2195

per person twin/double share

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$ 535

Accommodations charge the same price per room regardless of whether there are one or two people occupying it. To cover the cost of the accommodation when occupied by one person we need to charge the single occupancy fee.

per person

DOWNLOAD PDF
Departure Dates
Book now
Itinerary

ITINERARY

  • Day 1
  • Day 2
  • Day 3
  • Day 4
  • Day 5
  • Day 6

DAY 1
VISITORS CENTRE TO SNAKE LAGOON

Catch the 9.30 flight from Adelaide to Kingscote airport arriving on Kangaroo Island around 10am.  We will transfer you to your first accommodation where you will pick up lunch and have a safety overview. Today you walk from the visitor’s centre to Rocky River and Snake lagoon through gorgeous eucalypt forest, via swampland and the Platypus pools. Stop for a moment at the rapids and rockpools along the way, and keep an eye out for the stacks of wildlife coming in to take a drink. Expect to see Cape Baron Geese, Wallabies and Kangaroos plus a whole lot more.

Walking: Easy to moderate/ 12km / 3 – 4hrs
Meals: Lunch and two-course dinner
Accommodation: Luxury Cabins at Western Kangaroo Island  Caravan Park with ensuites

DAY 2
SNAKE LAGOON TO ADMIRALS ARCH

From Rocky River, it’s a gentle walk down the river to the Southern Ocean. There’s nothing between here and the Southern Ocean; the wilder the weather, the bigger the show. The views of the massive swells crashing against the cliffs paired with the peacefulness of this splendid remote landscape sets the tone for the rest of the walk. From May to September there’s a chance you’ll see whales. The walk follows the coast both on the cliff tops and on the beach eventually heading in land via Hakea Campground to the other side of Cape de Couedic Peninsula. The walk via Weirs Cove and Cape de Couedic Lighthouse to Admirals Arch is one of the real highlights of the trail.

Walking: Moderate / 18.5km / 5.5 – 6.5hrs / 14km option is available
Meals: Breakfast, walkers lunch pack and 2-course dinner
Accommodation: Luxury Cabins at Western Kangaroo Island  Caravan Park with ensuites

DAY 3
HAKEA CAMPGROUND VIA REMARKABLE ROCKS TO SANDERSON BAY

Today’s walk starts in a thick Mallee Forrest and arrives at Remarkable Rocks about half way through the day, making it one of the best lunch destinations in the country. The granite boulders sculptured by the forces of nature have an artistic, almost surrealist feel to them, that would have made Salvadore Dali proud (if he had created them that is). Sanderson Bay and the remote Sanderson Beach is a very peaceful place to wait for your pick up if you are running early.

Walking: Moderate / 13km / 3.5 – 4.5hrs
Meals: Breakfast, walkers lunch pack and 2 course dinner
Accommodation: Luxury Cabins at Western Kangaroo Island  Caravan Park with ensuites

DAY 4
SANDERSON BAY TO HANSON BAY

Today’s section is one of the best, if not the best. From Sanderson Bay, it’s back to the coast past Cape Young Husband. The coastal views are stupendous before heading off through cooler mallee and tea tree forest. Walk through to stunning Hanson Bay and your accommodation. Hanson Bay is one of the most beautiful places on the island. There’s a very safe bay or an estuary to take a swim, and there are additional beach walks on your doorstep if you feel so inclined. Depending on the time of year, there is likely to be hardly anyone here, so in the evening it’ll feel like having your own private beach.

Walking: Moderate / 11km / 3 – 4hrs
Meals: Breakfast, walkers lunch pack and 2 course dinner
Accommodation: Cabins at Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary with ensuites

DAY 5
HANSON BAY TO KELLY HILL CAVES

Walk out from your accommodation one of 2 ways. Back the way you came in yesterday, along the road and across the South West River on a very ingenious punt-like boat system. Or walk along the beach, over the sand hills and along the river to the same point. The track opens up to large natural grassland, thus the name and an abundance of birdlife. From here we walk around Grassdale Lagoon and then inland to Kelly Hill Caves, through a much taller gumtree forest, before meeting the Burgess Hike. There is a short side-trip here to the old entrance of Kelly Hill Caves. Lookout for the many craters which feed water into the caves below. At Kelly Hill Caves Visitor Centre pass through the iron ‘gate’, to mark the end of the 67km Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail.

Walking: Easy to moderate / 11km / 3 – 4hrs
Meals: Breakfast, walkers lunch pack and 2 course dinner
Accommodation: Cabins at Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary with ensuites

 

DAY 6
RETURN TO ADELAIDE

Breakfast is included on your last morning on the island. You will be transferred to the town of Kingscote in the afternoon to explore and have lunch. Your walking holiday finishes with a private transfer to Kingscote airport to catch the evening flight back to Adelaide.

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Pack-free walking

  • 25+ years experience

  • Customised

  • Eco Travel

  • Private transfers to and from Kingscote Airport on Kangaroo Island
  • Genuine all inclusive pack free walking holiday
  • 5 nights’ comfortable accommodation
  • 5 breakfasts, 5 (2 course) dinners, 5 walkers lunches
  • Transfers out to your accommodation and transfers on and off the track
  • Kangaroo Island Wilderness track fees
  • Walkers pack including notes, maps, map case, insulated lunch bag and container.
Accommodation & Dining

ACCOMMODATION & DINING

OVERVIEW

Comfortable self-contained private cabins. Both sets of cabins are in beautiful locations. The Hanson Bay location is simply stunning.

Healthy and delicious food will be provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner. All of the meals are provided by Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. A walkers lunch may include a high protein type salad, a roll or a wrap, cake or muffin of some kind and a piece of fruit. You’ll lunch at beautiful locations on the track and each day may be slightly different. The 2 course dinners are also substantial and will involve some very minor preparation.

Alcohol and drinks with meals are not included except tea/coffee and juice with breakfast. You will be dining in self contained cabins, please feel free to purchase your own alcohol and bring to Kangaroo Island with you. Please note the accommodations you are staying at are remote there is limited alcohol and snacks available for purchase. If there are any particular drinks or snacks you would like please make sure you bring these to the island with you.

General Info

GENERAL INFO

GETTING THERE AND AWAY

Flying (highly recommended)
Arrive in Kingscote Airport on Kangaroo Island around 10am. You can fly from Adelaide Airport through Regional Express. The flight takes around 30 minutes. There is a 9.30am flight daily please check times on the Regional Express website. You will need to arrange your own flights.

We will transfer you back to Kingscote in time to catch the evening flight at 6.30pm to Adelaide.

Please confirm your walk with Auswalk before booking flights. 

Bus and ferry
There ferries that travel from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw. Please bear in mind that this method takes much longer and the coach services do not match up with the ferries. We highly recommend flying.

 

WEATHER

This trip is suitable at any time in the year. However, spring and autumn are the most kind conditions for walking. See the Bureau of Meteorology’s information about temperatures and rainfall ahead of time to ensure proper clothing.

INSURANCE

We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance for all of our trips. We absolutely require that you purchase a travel insurance policy for all travel overseas. We charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it. It is also important in the event of an accident or loss of property.  See FAQ’s for more information.

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

However, you may have more questions right now. Please feel free to ask one of our destination consultants in the office or ask to speak to one of our guides. You can contact us via our contact form on the website, email us on info@auswalk.com.au or call us, our favourite option on 1300 777 878 (International +613 9597 9767)

 

Map

MAP

There are no any content available.
Departure Dates

DEPARTURE DATES

  • DATES
    AVAILABILITY
    PRICE
    Single Occupancy
    DETAILS
  • 1 Sep 2019 - 31 Dec 2020
    AVAILABLE
    Details
    from

    $2195

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $535
    BOOK NOW
  • 1 Jan 2021 - 31 Dec 2021
    AVAILABLE
    Details
    from

    $2295

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $555
    BOOK NOW

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ENQUIRE NOW

If you’re looking for further information on any of our walking holidays please fill out the enquiry form and we’ll be in touch.

Get in touch