Five amazing experiences at this park:

1. On a clear night find somewhere around your campsite to watch the night sky for shooting stars and spot constellations such as the Southern Cross, the Saucepan, Orion’s Belt or the Milky Way

2. Paddle your feet in the water at West Bay and stroll along the shoreline to see what nature treasure has washed up on the sand (swimming is not recommended as the Southern Ocean can be very unpredictable). Keep an eye out for the threatened hooded plover who make their home on the sand.

3.Walk the Weirs Cove Hike (3km / 1hr return) through to Cape du Couedic and enjoy the views of Remarkable Rocks, lighthouse heritage, the Casuarina Islets and the Western KI Marine Park.

4.Before the sun sets head to Remarkable Rocks and watch the changing colours of the sky and rocks.

5.Head to Admirals Arch and see how many seal pups can you see. You’ll need to look closely as they camouflage against the rocks.

Camping Options

Revel in the wilderness of Flinders Chase by camping under the stars at one of four secluded campgrounds available. Do not forget your marshmallows and that is half price for the month of October!

Campsites need to be booked prior to arrival.

Rocky River campground (22 sites)

Suitable for: tents, camper trailers, camper vans, caravans and motorhomes

Facilities: toilets, hot showers, water (non-potable), gas barbecues and picnic shelters

A great base from which to explore the highlights at the western end of Kangaroo Island. Set up camp among the eucalypt saplings, just a short walk from the Visitor Centre. 

Harvey’s Return campground (8 sites)

Suitable for: tents, camper trailers and camper vans

Facilities: toilets and picnic area

This campground is the old landing site for the light station and is near the historic light keepers’ cemetery. Cape Borda Lighthouse is within walking distance.

Snake Lagoon campground (8 sites)

Suitable for: tents, camper trailers and camper vans

Facilities: toilets and picnic area

This campground is located 9km from the Visitor Centre and is the starting point for the Snake Lagoon Hike. The hike leads to the river mouth where you can enjoy impressive views of the Southern Ocean. The campground is set on the banks of a now-dry lagoon and is also the end point of the Rocky River Hike, which starts at the Flinders Chase Visitor Centre and explores the many riparian (river bank) communities.

What can I do at Flinders Chase National Park?

Mountain Biking

You can ride your bike on roads open to the public. All walking trails within the park are for pedestrians only.

Wildlife

In Flinders Chase National Park you can see a range of wildlife.   The park is also a haven for a diversity of woodland birds, many of which are declining on the mainland. Look for the bold colours of scarlet robins and golden whistlers. Listen for the rare western whipbird and fan-tailed cuckoo. Scan the coast during Winter and Spring for migrating whales or observe the resident fur seals all year round from an easy vantage point at Cape du Couedic.

Bushwalking

Kangaroo Island’s rugged coastline offers keen bushwalkers spectacular coastal scenery, pristine rivers, tracts of undisturbed native vegetation and opportunities to observe abundant and diverse wildlife. Most of the coast is very isolated and provides trekkers with a true wilderness experience. The trails cater for all levels of fitness and adventure and our classification system makes it easy to select an experience suitable for you.

Whale Watching

Between mid-May and late October whales migrate from sub-Antarctic water to the comparatively warmer waters of the South Australian coast to calve and mate.  While the whale visitors are mostly southern right whales, we also have sightings of sperm whales, humpbacks, blue whales and the occasional orca. 

Flinders Chase National Park and Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area offer ideal vantage points to see these majestic creatures.  If you are visiting during whale season, keep an extra keen eye on the ocean at these following places

• Cape du Couedic Lookout, Flinders Chase National Park
• Weirs Cove Lookout, Flinders Chase National Park
• Admirals Arch Lookout, Flinders Chase National Park
• , Flinders Chase National Park
• Scott Cove Lookout, Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area

For more information through National Parks, check .

Most local councils will have rules specific to their beaches and rules for driving. Not all beaches are suitable for all vehicles and some will be 4×4 access only. Conditions will vary dramatically so before heading out, check local council, tide and weather guides for conditions that may impact your day out. Aim to drive at low tide and allow enough time to return before the turn of the tide. For up to the minute weather forecasts, jump on the page and for daily fire warnings, the will have you covered.

So pack up the car and check our list of beaches you can drive on around metro 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ and regional SA

Moana Beach

Only 45 minutes from 91¹û¶³´«Ã½’s CBD, the closest of Onkaparinga Council’s big 4 driving beaches, Moana is accessed at the ramp next to the Moana Surf Life Saving Club, at the southern end of the Moana Esplanade. Incredibly busy around public holiday times, if people aren’t your thing, perhaps pop further south to Sellicks or Silver Sands, but the atmosphere on the big summer holidays like New Years and Australia Day is quite incredible! Cost of $12 for non-onkaparinga residents and with a 10kph speed limit here, you can access the Onkaparinga Beaches from 5:30am til midnight during summer. More at the page.

Aldinga Beach

With Moana these are generally the busier of the Onkaparinga drive on beaches, and again can get rather hectic on the busy summer days and public holidays. Jump on the beach here at the ramp on the lower esplanade (car park and toilets here too which is very handy), with the usual Onkaparinga fees and rules also applying. Get council updates .

Goolwa Beach

A stunning run along the Sir Richard Peninsula, start at the Goolwa Surf Lifesaving Club on the end of Beach Road at Goolwa. The speed limit here is 40kph and it may be 4×4 accessible only in various conditions, but for the most part this is a relatively easy stretch. Be mindful drivin on the sand dunes is illegal.  Jump on the page for up to date info.

Yorke Peninsula

With some of the state’s most beautiful beaches and of course the Innes National Park, Yorke Peninsula has some stunning locations to explore, including plenty of core-memory building beach drives. Check out the for up to date information on beach access to their driveable beaches below;

Flaherty Beach
Parsons Beach
Pondalowie Bay

Mostly 4×4 access only, check local conditions at the time of your trip and prepare accordingly.

Limestone Coast

The beautiful stretch of our state encompassing the trip down to Mount Gambier, some spectacular beaches in this region are accessible by (primarily 4×4) vehicles. The most famous of these is Long Beach at Robe, a family friendly beach that offers fairly gentle surf usually and 12km of beautiful beach driving scenery.

Check out the for more on beach access and council updates to the below driveable beaches;

Long Beach Robe
Little Dip Conservation Park
Coorong National Park (pictured)

image credit: Escape the Daily

Sellicks Beach

Beautiful Sellicks Beach, overlooking the cliffs of the Deep South and with seemingly endless kilometres of pristine sand, is a magical spot right on our door step. $12 vehicl entry fees (for non council residents) and a 10kph speed limit await here, with low tide giving a massive beach space for play and driving. page has all the current info you need.

Silver Sands

A nudge north from Sellicks, Silver Sands is simply stunning….and just quietly this is one of our favourites. Generally quiet and with plenty of space, it is accessible for most vehicles most of the time (as are all the Onkaparinga Council beaches), there is nothing quite like a day at Silver Sands with the sun hitting the cliffs. A few blocked off zones exist here which are accessed via permits, which can be applied for on the page.

Eyre Peninsula

A decent trek from 91¹û¶³´«Ã½ in the state’s far west, an Eyre trip should be on every South Aussie’s bucket list. This is true 4×4 country so don’t attempt it in your trusty Camry, but for those 4×4 equipped, the scenery here is so special. The local council out at is your source for local access and updates. Check out the below drive access beaches when planning your Eyre Peninsula trip;

Lincoln National Park
Coffin Bay National Park
Scotts Beach

Emu Bay Kangaroo Island

One of Australia’s best beaches, and only 15 minutes from Kingscote over on KI, Emy Bay is generally accessible by all vehicle types. Jump on the site for beach access news and be wary during the summer months of the weather and bushfire risks on the island.

 

North Beach Wallaroo

North Beach at Wallaroo is a must stop on your trip at the top of the leg. Flat and spacious, it has always been accessible by cars whenever we have been up, but check for up to date info here. The North Beach Cafe at the boat ramp makes for a fantastic family friendly stop too we might add.

1. Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park
   Almost smack bang in the middle of the Island, you’ll find . There are over 600 animals with everything from dingoes, wallabies, penguins, pelicans, reptiles, koalas & of course, kangaroos. You can wander the park, watch one of the Keeper Animal Presentations or even book a cuddle with a koala! Since the KI Bushfires in January 2020, the Park is also home to the Kangaroo Island Koala and Wildlife Rescue Centre, so the kids will also have a chance to learn about animal rescue.
2. Seal Bay
   We love Seal Bay so much, we have written a whole article about it – check it out here. You can stroll the 900m return pram friendly boardwalk or book a guided tour to see the endangered sea lions & learn more about their behaviour & habitat. Make sure you also have a look around the Visitor Centre for some educational fun!

3. Raptor Domain
is a Conservation Centre – their staff are passionate about the protection & conservation of birds. Their daily shows are not only entertaining, they also educate visitors on the importance of research, rescue & rehabilitation. You’ll meet an array of birds from kookaburras, cockatoos & barn owls, through to impressive wedge tailed eagles & black kites. There is also a reptile show which the kids will love just as much, including lizards, pythons & an assortment of creepy crawlies.
4. American River
Take a stroll around American River on the western shore of Eastern Cove & see wallabies, black cockatoos, pelicans, swans, possums & more in their natural habitat. There is a BBQ area & multiple cafes in the area. Every second morning, the staff from the Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge feed the pelicans around 9am. The American River Wharf is still a working wharf, so the kids can have a bit of insight into what goes on. For best animal activity viewing, head over at sunset or sunrise.

Stunning views of the dunes & coastlines greet you, before you’ve even had a chance to see any sea lions – it’s worth stopping by for the vista alone! But of course the main attraction is the sea lions & by taking a stroll on the 900m return boardwalk (pram friendly, yay!), you will see plenty of sea lions lounging around, feeding or playing. Their behaviour largely depends on the season & you will be able to find out all about it the Visitor Centre, along with educational info on the evolution of sea lions, marine pollution & more. Toilets are available at the Visitor Centre, but not food – if you are stopping for lunch, you’ll need to bring your own.

Along with the Boardwalk, which includes interpretive signage with information, there are a couple of tours to choose from (fees apply) – the which allows you to go onto the beach with a guide & find out all about the sea lion behaviour, or the which is a fantastic behind the scenes insight into the colony & the research happening at the time. This one is recommended for people over 16 years, so if you have a science loving teen, definitely give this one a go!

At Bales Beach picnic area, a very short drive from Seal Bay, you’ll find picnic shelters, free gas barbecues, public toilets and a beautiful beach to explore. A great way to finish your Seal Bay experience!

Little Sahara is on the southern side of Kangaroo Island, about 4km inland not far from Vivonne Bay. You have a few options of how to best enjoy it – allow at least an hour if not more, depending on which activity you choose. (Just climbing up the dunes can chew up a bit of time, especially if you’re with kids with little legs!)

Hit up the , where you can hire sandboards, toboggans or book a tour. You can also bring your own boards if you wish, though the hire boards are designed specifically for the dunes, so will probably go faster! There is no age limit on sandboarding or tobogganing & these are self supervised activities.

For families with kids aged over 3, you can do a buggy tour – a guided ride through the dunes & coastline where they guarantee koala sightings! If your kids are a bit older, you could opt for the Fat Bike Tour which is for ages 8 & over. There are also walking tours if speed is not your thing!

So many people leave Kangaroo Island saying that Little Sahara was the highlight of their trip – make sure you put it on your itinerary & see which family member can make it down the fastest! You are guaranteed a lot of fun, a lot of calorie burning & a LOT of sand in the car on the way back!