Kangaroo Island is waiting for you. Here’s how to enjoy it.
See the sea lions
The country’s most accessible colony of Australian sea lions lolls about in spectacular Seal Bay (environment.sa.gov.au). Watch them from the boardwalk or join a guided tour into the colony.
Stay in luxury
Hamilton & Dune (hamilton dune.com.au) are two separate, exquisite homes overlooking the white sands of Emu Bay on the north-east coast. They can be booked individually – Hamilton sleeps six, Dune five – or together.
Leave a tiny footprint
Stay off-grid at Oceanview
Eco Villas (oceanviewkangarooisland.com.au), two fully hosted two-bedroom luxury villas set on 200 hectares above the rugged Redbanks coastline (a rescued ’roo may even come to visit).
Bee educated
Kangaroo Island is home to the last remaining pure Ligurian bees on the planet (you can’t bring honey onto the island but you can take it home). Learn about their busy schedule and buy a jar at
Clifford’s Honey Farm (cliffords honey.com.au).
Open a cellar door
Though its west-end vines were destroyed in the bushfire, The Islander Estate Vineyards’ (iev.com.au) east-end cellar door survived. Sample its elegant French-style range with some regional produce. Nearby Springs
Road (springsroad.com.au) also offers a fine drop.
Eat well
Take a tour of Emu Bay
Lavender (emubaylavender.com. au) but don’t leave without coffee and a delicious bite in the café. Open for breakfast and lunch,
Cactus Kangaroo Island in Kingscote (59 Dauncey Street; 0473 311 049) is passionate about supporting local producers (try the cumin and ginger spiced lamb dumplings). Bella Café
& Pizza Bar (bellacafekangarooisland.com.au), also in Kingscote, has a strong (and accomplished) focus on pizza and pasta. At
Sunset Food & Wine (sunsetfood andwine.com), grab a seat on the deck, order a local vino and take in glorious views over American Beach while you mull over the sophisticated offerings. You’re on KI; it’s hard to go past King George whiting.