Everything you need to know to have a remarkable family holiday on Kangaroo Island

Known as Australia’s zoo without fences and with beautiful scenery at almost every turn, Kangaroo Island can also be an affordable South Australian holiday destination.

Visit national parks on the island for unique accommodation, incredible wildlife experiences and iconic landscapes.

Until Friday 11 December kids go free at two of the island’s best experiences – Flinders Chase National Park and Seal Bay's boardwalk tours.

Kangaroo Island is just 30 minutes by plane from Adelaide, or a 45-minute ferry from Cape Jervis (which is a 2-hour drive from Adelaide).

Here’s how to access the kids go free offers and plan your stay:

Watch Australian sea lions sunning themselves on the beach

Seal Bay offers visitors an unforgettable wildlife experience with Australian sea lions.

There are no cages or enclosures in this wild colony and no expectations are placed on the animals – their location and behaviour changes from day to day.

A visit to Seal Bay gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the beautiful surrounds of this colony – think white sands, blue skies and unspoiled vistas.

The boardwalk self-guided tour welcomes you to take a stroll along a 900m return boardwalk.

It meanders through limestone cliffs and dunes, and showcases the stunning coastal scenery for which Seal Bay is famous.

Along the way you’ll stop at viewing platforms to watch Australian sea lions surfing the waves or sunning themselves on the beach.

The Boardwalk Tour is self-guided, which means you can set your own pace.

It is fully wheelchair accessible and there are interpretive signs along the way where you’ll learn about the habits and behaviour of the Australian sea lion, such as hunting, resting and reproduction.

The lookout offers amazing views of Cape Gantheaume and the wilderness area.

Top tip: Before you go, read our story about sea lions and their pups for lots of cute and quirky insights.

Kids go free!

Purchase one adult ticket to receive one kid’s ticket free on the boardwalk self-guided tour until Friday 11 December.

This offer is valid for children up to 15 years old and can be purchased on-site at the Seal Bay Visitor Information Centre.

The boardwalk tour duration is about half an hour and can be taken at any time while the park is open (from 9 am with the last entry at 4 pm).

Seal Bay is a 45-minute drive from Kingscote.

Visit the iconic Remarkable Rocks

Trip Advisor reviewers rate Flinders Chase National Park as the number one thing to do on Kangaroo Island – and it’s little wonder with iconic tourist drawcards open for self-drive visitors and tour guests to experience including Remarkable Rocks, Weirs Cove, Cape du Couedic lighthouse and Admirals Arch.

These sites are now open following the devastating 2019-20 summer bushfires, which burnt 96 percent of the park and the adjoining Ravine Des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area.

Visitors to the park can travel a safe route through the park on Cape du Couedic Road – including the part which has become one of the most insta-famous roads in South Australia.

Once at the sites you can browse around them on-foot.

Green shoots are taking hold in the park following winter rain, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the landscape regenerating after fire.

The park is open from 9 am until 5 pm daily, with last entry at 3 pm. It takes 25 minutes to travel from Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch to the park gate, which is locked at 5 pm.

As National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia continues to rebuild bushfire impacted areas there are limited facilities in the park.

You’ll need to pack enough water and snacks for your visit and remember to take your rubbish with you as there are no bins in the park.

The park has limited toilets, there is no food or drink available for purchase, and alcohol is not permitted. Pets, including dogs, are not permitted.

Top tip: Read our story to learn how Flinders Chase is recovering post-bushfire.

Kids go free!

Book online before you go and purchase one adult ticket to receive one kid’s ticket free until Friday, 11 December with the code 1FREECHILD. This offer is valid for children up to 15 years old.

Be a lighthouse keeper for a night

Looking for a quirky stay? Cape Willoughby is a special place where you can be a lighthouse keeper for a night.

There are two cottages set on the rugged eastern point of Kangaroo Island overlooking the treacherous Backstairs Passage, located about a half-hour drive from the ferry terminal at Penneshaw, or an hour from Kingscote Airport.

Built in 1927 and refurbished in traditional style, they’re perfect for a family getaway with kitchens equipped for cooking your own food, cosy lounges with board games and sea views from the spacious front verandahs.

Each cottage has five bedrooms and sleeps up to nine people. Up to two infants (three years old and under) can stay at no extra charge and a cot and high chair can be provided, just include the request when you book online.

While you’re there you can step back in time and take a guided tour to learn about what it was like to be a lightstation keeper at Cape Willoughby. Lightstation History and Lighthouse Climb Tours depart each day on the hour between 11am and 3pm.

Curious about the wildlife you might encounter on your visit? Check out our story aboutsome of the island’s best wildlife experiences.