OPEN ALL YEAR

Four Seasons of Walking on

Most trails (32 of them) are in conservation parks where its walks ‘A’ (hard) to ‘C’ (easy). The club welcomes visitors to its habitat is set aside for nature and the trails allow you to share walks and shows off the island through local eyes. space with wildlife. Water and sun advice Imagine an echidna train passing by, a whale sheltering with its In warmer weather in particular, take plenty of water. Kangaroo calf below a cliff, a sea-eagle catching a fish. Imagine not Island in general has a low rainfall and most falls in the cooler seeing another person for the whole day, the reward of an months. Creeks dry up in summer and autumn; some trails do not azure sea view, a picnic on an empty beach. have rainwater tanks or tanks on site may not hold supplies. Cool winds can deceive your sun protection instincts. Wear sunscreen, KI Wilderness Trail, from the Flinders Chase Visitor Centre to hats and protective clothing. Kelly Hill Visitor Centre, is a 5-day, 66km trail which connects existing paths with 40km of new trail through the botanically Accommodation for bushwalkers unique area in all of before reaching Kangaroo Island has a diversity of accommodation: luxury the rugged, remote and spectacular coastline of the Southern lodges, hotels, motels, farm stays, bed and breakfasts, beach Ocean. It’s best in milder months between April houses and camping. Camping grounds are located across the and September. island, and caravan parks are situated at Penneshaw, Kingscote, Parndana and before the entrance to Flinders Chase National Kangaroo Island Walking Club takes a walk each month to Park. Heritage accommodation is available at all three KI places you might not otherwise be able to access and grades lighthouses and at Rocky River.

authentickangarooisland www.tourkangarooisland.com.au Autumn Winter Spring Summer The mild temperatures and dry Winter bushwalking has it all on Wildflowers and orchids are blooming In summer, temperatures are usually conditions of autumn are made Kangaroo Island. Invigorating treks in in a gorgeous display, fungi are milder than the nearby mainland but for bushwalking. bracing winds straight off the popping through the leaf litter, birds they can occasionally be extreme, Southern Ocean one day; serene and wildlife are active, the creeks are and it is bushfire season. Plan shorter Flinders Chase Coastal Trek, a 3-day cliff-top or beach walks in sunny and flowing, sometimes over waterfalls, walks in summer; traverse beaches hike from to West Bay calm conditions the next. Even the and the temperature is kind. early or late in the day. along the west coast, is not a clearly strongest wind drops to a breeze designated route so best suited to once you enter the dense coastal The full-day, moderate-rated Rocky The 9km Hanson Bay Hike can be experienced hikers. The trek takes in mallee or forested valleys of most River Hike takes in the Platypus completed in a few hours as an active some of the island’s most remote trails. But the stormiest days are Holes Walk and Rocky River workout or extended by careful coastline, and coastal heath, mallee memory making – you won’t forget Cascades. The vegetation is observation of nature along the way. and forest vegetation. The ocean is an elemental immersion at exposed ever-changing from tall sugar very high energy on the west coast locations like or gums and grass trees to mallee For waterbird lovers, the 11km and swimming is not recommended. . and coastal heath sporting orchids Curley Creek Hike in Cape and other wildflowers. Gantheaume Conservation Park If you have a few hours, try the walk The 2-day, Coastal views the island’s largest inland from Harvey’s Return to Cape Borda Trek revels in a thumping Southern Try one of the many half-day walks in waterbody, Murray Lagoon filled with or venture down the steep path to Ocean and the contrast of the Flinders Chase to see the riot of migratory waders, from Bald Hill. the Harvey’s Return cove – a careful delicate flowers of low coastal heath, flower colour and birds such as scramble around the rocks rewards bird song from resident Western Yellow-rumped Pardalotes foraging in From American River, try the you with extraordinarily Whipbirds and the plaintive call of the gum leaves. Cannery Walk for a slice of history contorted schists. Southern Emu-wrens. The trek has and the Investigator Trail, which skirts no facilities and is recommended only For a huge diversity of flowers in 30 the Pelican Lagoon sanctuary zone, a From Penneshaw, the Ironstone Hike for fit and experienced hikers. minutes, take the Beyeria tranquil area for spotting birds. is steeped in local history and Conservation Park walk. Learn about commands an eye-catching Western River’s Waterfall Creek hike the interdependent lives of plants, There are short strolls aplenty around mainland view. packs a lot into its 5km, passing ants and caterpillars, and other Flinders Chase Visitor Centre, and through sugar gum forest and sheoak biodiversity stories. Kelly Hill Visitor Centre. Take a short stroll to the delightful woodlands to a spectacular waterfall Tadpole Cove walk at D’Estrees Bay view framed by tall grasstrees. to see an historic threshing floor, weird geology and possibly an Look for orchids, early boronias, osprey soaring along the shoreline. plenty of fungi and Glossy-black Cockatoos.

Discover more... Visit Tourism Kangaroo Island at www.tourkangarooisland.com.au or the Gateway Visitor Information Centre, or National Parks SA at www.parks.sa.gov.au or at the Flinders Chase or Kingscote offices. Plan your trip and take enough water. Don’t forget sun protection and stay on the trail. Leave nothing behind. Clean your boots so you don’t spread the fungus Phytophthora, a killer of many native plants. Be fire safe and obey fire bans November to April. Know your own capabilities and choose a walk you can manage. Respect native vegetation, wildlife and cultural heritage. Observe animals from a distance.