Intrepid Hike the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail

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Walk the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail over five days with two local guides and a group of no more than 12, from mallee forest and Snake Lagoon to the seal colony at Cape du Couedic and the granite of Remarkable Rocks. Meals, beds and transport between trailheads are all arranged, so each day is about the walk.

Days

5 days, 4 nights

Age

15 years and over

Group size

Small group, up to 12

Start / finish

Adelaide / Kangaroo Island / Adelaide
Adelaide, late afternoon

Return

Adelaide, late afternoon

Accommodation

1 night hotel in Kingscote, 3 nights cabins at Karatta (shared bathrooms)

Transport

Private vehicle, return ferry and walking

Meals

4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners

Route

Map of Intrepid Hike the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail

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Included experiences

Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail — four days of guided walking, 10 to 19 km a day
Snake Lagoon — forest and coastal scrub walk from the visitors centre
Cape du Couedic — lighthouse, Admirals Arch and the seal colony
Remarkable Rocks — granite boulders above the sea, optional walk-in
Hanson Bay — clifftops, mallee and heath regrowing after the 2019 fires
Kelly Hill Caves — the trail's finish

Intrepid Hike the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail

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Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: ADELAIDE TO KANGAROO ISLAND

Meet your two guides and the group at 8am in Adelaide, Tandanya to the Kaurna people, and drive about two hours south to Cape Jervis. The ferry crosses Backstairs Passage to Kangaroo Island, at about 4,400 square kilometres Australia's third-largest island. Matthew Flinders named it in 1802 after his hungry crew feasted on the kangaroos they found on the shore. Once you're on the island you stretch your legs on a first walk of 2 to 6 km. Tonight is in Kingscote, founded in 1836 as South Australia's first official settlement, with a welcome dinner where you get to know the people you'll be walking with.

Overnight: Kingscote (hotel)

DAY 2: THE VISITORS CENTRE TO SNAKE LAGOON

After breakfast you drive to the trailhead at the Kangaroo Island National Park Visitors Centre, where you learn the history and wildlife of the park before setting off. Today's section runs about 12.4 km, roughly five hours, mostly on dirt track with a few rocky stretches, through forest and coastal scrub to Snake Lagoon, where the Rocky River meets the sea. Look out for the island's kangaroos, a darker, shaggier kind of western grey found only here, and for short-beaked echidnas. There's no point to leave the track part-way, so pace yourself. In the afternoon you settle into the cabins at Karatta, your base for the next three nights.

Overnight: Karatta (cabins)

DAY 3: CAPE DU COUEDIC AND REMARKABLE ROCKS

Today the trail follows sea cliffs above empty bays, with the Southern Ocean running all the way to Antarctica. Watch for bottlenose dolphins below and seabirds overhead. At Cape du Couedic there's time at the lighthouse, built between 1906 and 1909, and a side trip down to Admirals Arch, a sea-carved arch where long-nosed fur seals haul out on the rocks. The core walk is about 18.7 km, eight to nine hours over sand and limestone. With energy left, carry on 11.7 km past Weirs Cove, where the lighthouse stores were once hauled up the cliff, to Remarkable Rocks, 500-million-year-old granite boulders streaked with orange lichen and carved hollow by wind and sea.

Overnight: Karatta (cabins)

DAY 4: CLIFFTOPS AND MALLEE TO HANSON BAY

From Remarkable Rocks the trail runs about 17 km, around seven hours, to Hanson Bay. The first stretch stays high on rocky limestone clifftops, with a good chance of dolphins and, in winter and spring, southern right whales passing close in. Then the track turns inland through tall mallee, eucalypts that send up many stems from one underground root, and low coastal heath. The 2019 and 2020 bushfires burnt about half the island, and this country shows the comeback, with fresh growth and orchids flowering through it. Your guides point out echidnas and wallabies along the way. Back at the cabins, it's the last dinner together.

Overnight: Karatta (cabins)

DAY 5: KELLY HILL CAVES AND BACK TO ADELAIDE

The final walk is about 10 km, around three hours, from Hanson Bay to Kelly Hill Caves, where the trail ends. The limestone caves take their name, so the story goes, from a horse called Kelly that fell through a hole in the ground in the 1880s. Listen in the she-oaks on the way for the soft calls of glossy black cockatoos, a rare bird that survives on the island. Then you cross to Penneshaw for the early afternoon ferry and the drive back to Adelaide, arriving late in the afternoon.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Adelaide Central Bus Station, 83 Franklin Street, at the front on Franklin Street near the corner of Bowen Street, by the electric car charger. 8am on day 1; the group leaves promptly.
Finishes: The same spot in Adelaide, late afternoon on day 5.
Minimum age: 15.
Fitness: You should be able to walk 15 km comfortably on unsealed tracks before the trip; training is recommended. Walking days 2 to 5 run about 10 to 19 km (up to about 30 km with the optional section on day 3), and days 2 and 3 have no point to drop out.
Accommodation note: Night 1 is a hotel in Kingscote; nights 2 to 4 are cabins at Karatta with shared bathrooms. Some departures are twin share.
Please note: If anything goes wrong on your trip, tell your group leader or the local representative straight away so they can put it right.

What to bring

Good walking footwear
Clothing for all weather, including sun and rain protection — you are out in the elements all day
Walking poles (recommended)
Seasickness tablets if you need them — the ferry crossing can be rough

What is included

1 night in a Kingscote hotel and 3 nights in cabins with shared facilities at Karatta
Meals as listed: 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners
Two expert local walking guides
Return ferry between Cape Jervis and Kangaroo Island
Private vehicle transport from and back to Adelaide and between trailheads
Kangaroo Island National Park Visitors Centre

Not included

Flights to and from Adelaide
Single room supplement (available for the first night only)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.