Kangaroo Island is also referred to as "Karta Pintingga."
Australia is home to its fair share of fascinating creatures—the frilled lizard, quokka and platypus, to name a few—and when it comes to spotting a massive array of native species in the flesh, few destinations can compare to Kangaroo Island. Located just southwest of Adelaide, this storied site serves as one of South Australia’s crown jewels for ecotourism, with no shortage of protected preserves that play host to all sorts of indigenous flora and fauna. As you plan your next trip to Australia’s southern shore, be sure to save some room on the itinerary for a wildlife-filled foray into the depths of Kangaroo Island.
Spot Native Avifauna on a Birding Excursion
The New Holland honeyeater is a common sight across Kangaroo Island.
Australia’s diversity of landscapes and climates has given rise to a truly incredible array of indigenous avian species, with many of its most striking birds calling Kangaroo Island home—and for those hoping to spot a wealth of these marvelous creatures in the flesh, Bell Bird Tours offers the perfect multi-day voyage. Taking place in both September and November, the four-day Kangaroo Island Birding Tour takes guests deep into the interior of the island, providing visitors with an opportunity to encounter birds like the Cape Barren goose, white-bellied whipbird and tawny-crowned honeyeater—and as an added bonus, seabirds abound across Kangaroo Island’s perimeter, with the flesh-footed shearwater, Wilson's storm petrel and southern royal albatross serving as just a few of the species that might make an appearance.
For those visiting the island outside of September and November, Exceptional Kangaroo Island has been in the tour business since 1986, with multiple curated excursions that highlight the culture and natural beauty of the surrounding region. During a three-day Wild About Birds tour, guests can immerse themselves in the splendor of Kangaroo Island from an entirely-avian perspective, with countless passerines, waders and raptors all appearing throughout the journey. While there’s no shortage of fascinating sites on the itinerary, highlights range from Roper’s Gums—a top spot for scoping out glossy black cockatoos—to Duck Lagoon, a billabong that’s rife with native waterfowl.
Sample Traditional Ligurian Honey at an Island Apiary
There are roughly eight extant honey bee species on the planet.
Australia is known for sweet treats ranging from fairy bread to Tim Tams, but for those who visit Kangaroo Island, there’s a particularly fascinating confection found in the form of Ligurian honey. This sugary substance is produced in abundance by the Ligurian honey bee, a type of domesticated insect that was first bred in the Italian region of Liguria—and while this particular breed of bee has been wiped out across the globe due to crossbreeding, Kangaroo Island’s isolation from the mainland has allowed the animals to thrive without interference, ultimately establishing the surrounding region as the last bastion of the Ligurian honey bee.
Visitors hoping to sample their honey in person have a wealth of options scattered across the island, with Clifford’s Honey Farm located in the locality of Haines. Upon arrival, guests can kick off their thirty-minute tour with a hearty helping of fresh honey ice cream, then make their way to the property’s polished glass beehive to look for the queen. Post-search, the on-site shop is packed full of honey-based sauces and dressings, while the mead is a top choice for visitors wishing to take a boozy souvenir back to the mainland. Further north, the Kangaroo Island Ligurian Bee Co has been a top spot for honey tasting since 2001, inviting guests to take part in a facility tour that highlights topics spanning from bee conservation to the overall honey-making process.
Discover Endemic Mammals on a Wildlife Tour
The short-beaked echidna is one of the few egg-laying mammal species found on earth today.
Australia is renowned for its spectacular mammalian biodiversity, and Kangaroo Island is no exception. As one might be able to guess from the name, the region is brimming with large mobs of western grey kangaroos, but for those hoping to spot some of the island’s more elusive fauna, the Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is an essential destination. Established in the late ‘90s, this private preserve has acted as a crucial haven for native mammals for decades, with its koalas serving as a particularly popular draw for tourists. Guests can marvel at these endemic animals during a Guided Koala Walk, while the Sunset Nocturnal Adventure Tour is perfect for spotting creatures spanning from the tammar wallaby to the short-beaked echidna.
During daylight hours, the aforementioned Exceptional Kangaroo Island is also a top company for wildlife-focused excursions. For those in search of a single-day tour, the Flinders Chase Focus excursion casts a spotlight on Flinders Chase National Park, a scenic expanse of land that’s rife with short-beaked echidnas, long-nosed fur seals and a wealth of other species. Meanwhile, serious wildlife aficionados can spring for a three-day Conservation Connection tour. In addition to exploring renowned natural sites like Stokes Bay and the Cygnet Valley, this itinerary also offers the opportunity to meet with esteemed wildlife experts for a deep dive on the physiology of Kangaroo Island’s most iconic mammals.
