kangaroo island walk
like walking in a wildlife park with no fences!

• Guided group tour

• 7 day itinerary

highlights

• Wildlife abounds - kangaroos, wallabies, possums, echidnas, goannas, sea-lions, fur seals, penguins, koalas, Cape Barren geese, Australian Sea-lions and with some luck a platypus

• Visit historic lighthouses - one of the trips each year includes 5 nights staying in the lighthouse keepers' cottages

• Remarkable Rocks, a natural wind sculpted masterpiece

• Limestone caves featuring unusual helictites

• Walking tracks to suit all levels of ability

Kangaroo Island is the third largest island in Australia. With over 25% of it protected, it’s a paradise for walkers and naturalists alike. We’ll focus our walking on the spectacular western end of the island where tall limestone cliffs dominate the coastline and deeply incised creeks flow out to the azure sea. As well as stunning coastal landscapes, there are vast areas of wilderness and highly visible terrestrial and marine wildlife.

Remarkable Rocks

The naturally wind sculptured Remarkable Rocks formation lies atop a remnant granite outcrop, testament to 500 million years of nature’s handiwork. Admirals Arch displays the ability of the ocean to carve and shape the coastline. There are over 7000 fur seals that frolic on rock platforms and in the sea here.

Wildlife abounds. Over the years, many threatened mainland species have been introduced to Kangaroo Island. This, combined with the absence of foxes and rabbits and the conservation of large tracts of bush, has resulted in a wealth of wildlife. Expect to see kangaroos, wallabies, possums, echidnas, goannas, sea-lions, fur seals, penguins, koalas, Cape Barren geese, Australian Sea-lions, fur seals and with some luck a platypus or two.

Kangaroos and Cape Barren Geese are common

At Seal Bay you’ll see Australian Sea-lions in their natural habitat, having the opportunity to observe these fascinating animals on the beach on a ranger-guided walk. At Penneshaw there’s an evening walk to see a penguin rookery.

Get up close to Australian Sea-lions

Spring is a wonderful time to see the spectacular array of wildflowers, birds and mammals. There are approximately 40 endemic floral species on the island and the Cape Barren geese nest on top of the native iris grasses to incubate their eggs.

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?

There are historic lighthouses to explore, each with its own unique features and inspiring history. At Cape Willoughby enjoy a walk through history and the opportunity to climb to the top of the lighthouse. Cape Borda’s special square lighthouse is perched high above Investigator Strait. It was built in 1858 to guide sailing ships arriving off the “roaring forties” trade winds. We’ll also visit charming Cape du Couedic lighthouse features intricate stonework detail.

There are plenty of beaches as well, including the long curving sweep of Vivonne Bay, recently proclaimed the “best beach” in Australia.

We are offering two different ways of doing this holiday. One is based for 5 nights at historic Cape du Couedic Lighthouse keepers’ cottages plus a night at Penneshaw. The other is based for 5 nights at luxurious Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat plus a night at Penneshaw.

Cape Borda lighthouse

location
This holiday starts and finishes in Adelaide.

grading
You should be in reasonable shape, but there’s certainly no need to be a triathlete!  On some days we’ll do a full day walk and on other days there may be several shorter walks.  Our full day walks generally involve 5-7 hours on the track at a moderate pace, though this might be broken into two or three separate sections.  On some days there will be shorter options offered or you will have the chance to pull out part way along.  So, most people should find options that suit their fitness level.
The walking ranges from easy to moderate. If you choose the easier options then you’ll find the walking easy and suitable for people who’ve never done a walking holiday before. We will also offer some moderate walks and a couple of quite challenging hikes, including some off-track walking along cliff tops.

One of the easier walking tracks on Kangaroo Island	Historic Cape Willoughy Light

accommodation
We are offering two different ways of doing this holiday, one based at historic lighthouse keepers’ cottages and the other at a wilderness retreat. Both properties are quite close together and the walking will be the same no matter which option you choose.

cape du couedic lightstation option
Spend the first night in cottages at Penneshaw –most of the cottages have shared bathrooms (those with private bathrooms will be allocated to the people who booked first). Then stay for the remaining 5 nights in historic lighthouse keepers’ cottages. These beautiful restored stone cottages are set in bushland adjacent to the lighthouse itself. It’s a great place to watch the sun set. There are 3 cottages and each has 3 bedrooms and one bathroom. Hence, no ensuites – we’ll all need to share. We will also not be able to offer single rooms so everyone will need to twin share. There are 3 rooms available with queen beds and the rest have 2 single beds. The guides will prepare meals (there are no restaurants nearby) – dinners will be substantial but will obviously not be a-la-carte! Note that, due to limited time, we cannot cater for very restrictive diets. Vegetarians are OK but if you have specific requirements, please contact us prior to booking to discuss what we can and can’t do. This option is the cheaper of the two and is not luxurious but don’t let that sway your decision. Staying at a remote Lightstation such as this is a special experience!

Lighthouse keepers' cottages at Cape du Couedic

kangaroo island wilderness retreat option
The other option offers more luxurious accommodation. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms. Spend the first night at a seafront hotel in Penneshaw. Then the remaining 5 nights will be at a wilderness retreat is in a bushland setting adjacent to the Flinders Chase National Park. We’ll dine in their restaurant where they offer a creative menu featuring local produce and accompanied by an extensive selection of locally grown wines.

what's included
6 nights accommodation, most meals (6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 6 dinners), 2 guides, all transport from Adelaide airport, ferry to/from Kangaroo Island, ranger guided walk at sea-lion colony, penguin viewing, tours of Kelly Hill Caves, tour of Cape Willoughby & Cape Borda lightstations, National Park fees, information booklets, insulated lunch bag, map case, notes, maps.

not included
Alcohol, additional meals.

departure dates
26th October 2008 – staying at the lighthouse keepers’ cottages
1st November 2009 – staying at the wilderness retreat
9th November 2009 – staying at the lighthouse keepers’ cottages
Subject to minimum numbers.

itinerary guide - 7 days
(includes 6 nights accommodation)

Day 1: Starts at Adelaide airport at 2pm – earlier pick up available from our preferred Adelaide downtown hotel.  Travel via the McLaren Vale winery district to Cape Jervis. Cruise by ferry over to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island. Evening walk to see the penguin colony. Accommodation: Penneshaw cottages / hotel.

Day 2: Our first walk provides panoramic views across Backstairs Passage back to the Fleurieu Peninsula as well as an introduction to the early history of the island. Then we’ll travel to the extreme eastern end of the island to visit Cape Willoughby Lightstation. A short walk here will be followed by a tour of the lighthouse. After lunch back in Penneshaw, travel to the mid section of the island to Seal Bay where you’ll enjoy a ranger-guided walk to see Australian Sea-lions in their natural habitat. You can get up close to them on the beach. There are also boardwalks and a lookout with great views over the coast. Continue to our accommodation.  Accommodation: Western Kangaroo Island – wilderness retreat / Cape du Couedic lighthouse keepers’ cottages for the next five nights.

Beach walk to see the sea-lions

Day 3: The morning walk is an excellent introduction to the wildlife and flora of the island. The circuit walk follows pretty Rocky River to Platypus Waterholes. Will you be lucky enough to spot an elusive platypus? Enjoy lunch at a café that specialises in quality local produce and Kangaroo Island wines (not included). The afternoon walk features the truly spectacular Remarkable Rocks, historic sites at Weirs Cove, a fur seal colony at Admirals Arch and an exploration of the Cape du Couedic Lightstation precinct.

Day 4: Our first walk today is at Vivonne Bay. Expect expansive views over this stunning beach that was recently voted Australia’s best beach by a research team at Sydney University. Next we’ll visit Kelly Hill Caves for a tour of the limestone caverns. Here you’ll see the most unusual helictites. The afternoon hike is a delightful bushland walk passing several lagoons teeming with bird life. The track emerges at remote Hansons Beach where you’ll have the option of continuing on a hard off-track section along the cliff tops or an easy stroll along the beach.

Rocky cliff walking at Hansons Beach

Day 5: Today we’ll head for the very remote Cape Borda region. There will be a choice of walks – the harder option being a strenuous hike in the Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Area. The easier option will take the path used by early lighthouse keepers to transport supplies from the boat landing to the Lightstation itself. The day concludes with an entertaining tour of the Lightstation.

Day 6: Another day of remote walking as we follow riverside tracks as they meander to the tumultuous ocean. Good walkers will have the opportunity to hike off track along the rugged limestone cliff tops. This is a moody place with a real sense of isolation.

Day 7: Travel back to Penneshaw, ferry to the mainland then on to Adelaide to arrive around 2.00pm.

Remote river estuary	A real sense of isolation!

fact sheet
Would you like more detailed information about this trip?

Download our Kangaroo Island Group Guided Walking Holiday Fact Sheet.

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prices
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Auswalk Pty Ltd | 4 Red Gum Lease Track | Halls Gap Victoria 3381 | Australia
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