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Where to stay in Kangaroo Island’s national parks

15 Oct. 2020
4 min read

Nights under the stars and quirky accommodation – Kangaroo Island’s national parks have it all. Here’s where.

Tell the kids, you can be a lighthouse keeper for the night when you stay at Cape Willoughby Conservation Park.

Located on Kangaroo Island, off the coast of South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, the lighthouse keeper’s cottages are just one of the many quirky places to stay.

If you’re a beach-lover, you can also stay in unique settings near the long sandy beach at Antechamber Bay in Lashmar Conservation Park or along the coast amid the vast areas of wilderness at Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park.

Here’s where to stay for a trip with a difference:

Stay in heritage accommodation at Cape Willoughby Conservation Park

Cape Willoughby Conservation Park is one of the very few places where you can stay in a lighthouse keeper’s cottage.

Located on the eastern end of the island, the park is home to two cottages set on the rugged eastern point of the island overlooking the treacherous Backstairs Passage.

Visitors on Trip Advisor say the cottages are great places for families and friends to relax and unwind with cosy bedrooms, a kitchen and even board games stashed away in the lounge room.

Enjoy spectacular sunrises, listen to the waves crashing onto the nearby cliffs and catch glimpses of wildlife – you might even spot a whale from the kitchen window.

Both cottages sleep up to nine people. Book now.

Camp at Lashmar Conservation Park

A favourite for beach-lovers, Lashmar Conservation Park adjoins the long sandy beach at Antechamber Bay.

The park is an ideal location for swimming, fishing and birdwatching and is just a short drive from Cape Willoughby lightstation.

You can canoe your way along the tranquil Chapman River that flows through the park and into the sea at Antechamber Bay.

There are two campgrounds in the park. Book online before you go.

Antechamber Bay North Campground is located on the northern side of the Chapman River and has 11 campsites, with nearby walking trails providing access to the beach and the river.

This campground is suitable for caravans, camper trailers and tents and has toilets and picnic tables. Campfires are not permitted at all times in this campground.

Antechamber Bay South Campground is located on the southern and eastern side of the Chapman River and has 12 campsites dotted along the banks of the Chapman River.

This campground is suitable for caravans, camper trailers and tents and has fire pits, picnic shelter and gas BBQs.

There are no toilets at this campground – you’ll have to drive to the Antechamber Bay North Campground.

Wood fires and solid fuel fires are permitted within this campground’s designated fire pits, other than on days of total fire ban (excluding fire danger season).

Camp at Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park

Vast areas of wilderness, Kangaroo Island's largest lagoon and coastal scenery provide a spectacular backdrop to Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park and the adjoining Wilderness Protection Area on the south coast of the island.

The park has plenty of walking opportunities, including the unmarked Cape Gantheaume Coastal Trek (suitable for experienced hikers only), established trails at Murray Lagoon (may be subject to flooding in the winter months), and short walks at D’Estrees Bay.

It’s located near Seal Bay Conservation Park, so don’t forget to stop in and say g’day to the Australian sea-lions sunning themselves on the beach. You can also take a self-guided drive along D'Estrees Bay Road.

There are five campsites in the park dotted along the D’Estrees Bay coastline. Book online before you go.

You can enjoy the peacefulness and vast wilderness of the park by camping under the stars at these secluded sites.

Some of the sites have coastal views and part shade, and some have minimal wind protection. The sites are suitable for tents, and some are suitable for campervans and camper trailers. There are accessible toilets and a long-drop toilet. Campfires aren’t allowed.

Find out what’s open now in Kangaroo Island’s national parks, learn more about Seal Bay or check the National Parks of Kangaroo Island Visitor Guide: September 2020 for more info to plan your trip.