Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail: Walk SA's best-kept secret

WE ALL know South Australia is home to some pretty good wine and some pretty nice opals - but it turns out they’ve got another awesome drawcard up their sleeve.

kangaroo island SA

THE problem with bucket lists is they usually see much less action than a shopping list. In fact, for many, the prospect of ever crossing off a bucket wish is about as far-fetched as the item itself.

Sure, maybe those people should make their dreams a little more feasible and a little less “meet the Dalai Lama at the top of Mount Everest for brunch”, but who are we to stifle the imagination?

While some of life’s most epic adventures seem like a pipedream, here’s one life-changing trip you can take right now. The Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail officially opened less than a year ago, and is already being hailed as one of the country’s — if not the world’s — most incredible walks. So get your pen ready, because you’re going to want to add it to your list.

Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail is a 61km, five-day trail through South Australia’s most scenic landscapes. It passes through regions inhabited by more than 250 species of birds, a huge colony of sea lions, koalas, kangaroos, penguins, emus, echidnas, goannas and more. It’s a native wildlife enthusiast’s dream, and it’s waiting for you to explore. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or simply enjoy a meander amongst nature, this is a moderate trail that anyone in relatively good shape can accomplish - and with Qantas now offering direct flights to Kangaroo Island from Melbourne and Adelaide, getting there just got a whole lot easier.

Day 1 - Flinders Chase Visitor Centre to Cup Gum Campsite at Snake Lagoon

From your first step on the trail, you’ll encounter wildlife. Be prepared to gasp earnestly and often. You’ll also encounter so many unique and diverse landscapes, you’ll find it hard to believe you’re in the same country, let alone the same state. When you check-in, you’ll receive a trail map and resource booklet packed with handy hints and teasers for what lies ahead. First stop is the Platypus Waterholes, where if you cross all your fingers and toes, you may get a glimpse of these secretive creatures in the wild. From there, it’s the incredible views of the Rocky River Trail as it meets the forever blue of the Southern Ocean, before you pass lengthy beds of colourful wildflowers on your way to Cup Gum Campground - which, by the way, is an incredibly impressive place to stay. All the campsites along the trail are brand new, with modern and clean facilities that have already earned them a stellar reputation.

Day 2 - Snake Lagoon to Hakea Campsite at Cape du Couedic

While Day 1 clocks in at 12 kilometres, or roughly a 4-hour walk, Day 2 really ups the ante, almost doubling yesterday’s walk by both distance and time. However, once your feet hit the sand and your eyes feast on the incredible coastal scenery, you won’t mind the extra time. In fact, take as much of it as you need. Whilst the trail is considered easy to moderate for most, some will find walking along the sand and exposed cliff top slightly challenging, so remember: it’s not a race. Also, if paleontology is your jam, make sure to inspect the limestone rock you walk upon, because it contains a number of fossils.

Day 3 - Cape du Couedic to Banksia Campsite at Sanderson Bay

As with Day 2, Day 3 of the trail covers parts of Kangaroo Island that are otherwise inaccessible to visitors. Over the course of 13kms, you will visit what feels like four different continents. The differences in environment, views and vegetation are so astounding, it’s hard to believe you’ve only covered a couple of kilometres. It’s also on your third day  that you’ll get to take in the incredible sight of sea lions, as well as the Remarkable Rocks, which really live up to their name. The optional add-on side trip to see the rocks is definitely worth the extra hour to your day, and since the trail hugs the coastline, this part is particularly epic.

Day 4 - Sanderson Bay to Tea Tree Campsite at Grassdale

You’ve made it past halfway, but unlike the work week, you’ll wish it wasn’t going so fast. Somehow, there’s still more wildlife to see, more flowers to smell, more tents to pitch. On your second last day, take the optional side trip to Hanson Bay, where you can strip off your socks and dip your feet in that ocean you’ve been staring at for so long. This leg of the trail is truly spectacular, starring show-stopping views of Cape Younghusband, before the towering cliffs give way to tall tea trees as you make your way to camp. In the morning, don’t be alarmed if you wake to the shadow of a kangaroo against your tent — they look like they’re sniffing around for breakfast, but they actually prefer grass.

Day 5 - Day 5 Grassdale to Kelly Hill Caves

By the end of your exhilarating 5-day hike, you’ll have traversed through bush, beach, and headlands, on sand, dirt, rock and grass. This final stretch of the trail clocks in at 7.5km, which should only take you around 2.5 hours of a leisurely stroll to complete, giving you plenty of time to travel back home by the end of the day. Here, you’ll walk amongst recovering woodlands to freshwater lakes and the “karst” cave system, then past Wilderness and Grassdale Lagoons, before arriving at the mesmerizing Kelly Hill Caves adorned with magnificent limestone designs.

You’ll have made it to the finish line, but you’ll wish you were only just getting started.