A Kangaroo Island Accommodation Go-to Guide

Romance, nature, seclusion or a home away from home – there is an accommodation to suit all types of holidaymakers on Kangaroo Island.

The allure of its multi-hued beauty, preserved natural landscapes and abundance of seasonal produce is well documented, but Kangaroo Island is also home to a number of first-rate accommodation options – offering everything from luxury accommodation to beautiful camping spots. Start planning your escape to South Australia’s most prized island paradise by selecting from our pick of the best accommodation on Kangaroo Island.

Hotels and resorts

Kangaroo Island Seaview Motel

Best for: location, location, location

Marvellous views come standard with every room at the Kangaroo Island Seaview Motel .

Modern wooden dining table at Kangaroo Island Seaview Motel — Seaviews are a given at this stunning motel. (Image: Kangaroo Island Seaview Motel)

Situated in the town centre and spanning a whole corner block, the Seaview delivers on all the conveniences of its central location while still providing guests with a tranquil escape.

The iconic motel was the first to open on Kangaroo Island, but they’ve expanded the accommodation offering in recent years to also include an ocean-view suite and two-bedroom apartment for travellers in search of a little more luxury than a standard motel.

Art hangs above the bed on the sage coloured wall. — Seaview was the first motel on the island. (Image: Kangaroo Island Seaview Motel)

Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge

Best for: peace and serenity

Tucked away on the eastern side of the island is the Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge . The tranquil setting provides plenty of opportunities for guests to unwind, watch the sunset over the calm waters of the American River and relax to the soothing sounds of nature.

The Mercure offers a more secluded, relaxed accommodation option for those looking to avoid crowds. There are 38 well-appointed guest rooms of various sizes – most of which feature exceptional waterfront views.

The property’s award-winning fine dining offering, Reflections Restaurant, is an excellent place to dine for an evening. The venue won Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award in 2020 and 2021 and continues to deliver on both taste and quality.

There is an abundance of birdlife and wildlife to encounter, including tammar wallabies, black cockatoos, and brush-tailed possums – and you can feed the local pelicans each morning with the whiting scraps from the restaurant. Or explore the coastal scrub and curious wildlife along two of the main walking tracks, the Independence Trail or the Fish Cannery walk.

The Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge offers a more secluded, relaxed accommodation option.

Adagio Retreat

Best for: those who want to slow it right down

Adagio ’s beachfront-meets-bush location provides the perfect backdrop for a holiday that offers easy access to Island Beach, plenty of coastal and bushwalking opportunities and abundant wildlife encounters.

The modern B&B accommodates two people and includes traditional breakfast, access to a barbeque, a balcony with 180-degree-views of Island Beach, an independent entrance for guests – and the option of a tailored itinerary.

Adagio Bed and Breakfast — Slow down at Adagio Retreat.

Luxury accommodation

Southern Ocean Lodge

Best for: the ultimate Kangaroo Island stay

The new-look Southern Ocean Lodge opened in December 2023, four years after the original iteration of the iconic nature-based luxury lodge was razed to the ground during the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires.

sunrise views over Southern Ocean Lodge — Southern Ocean Lodge is dramatically situated high above the Southern Ocean. (Image: George Apostolidis)

Back and better than ever, SOL 2.0 is perched on a clifftop overlooking the wild Southern Ocean, with 25 exquisite suites – including the ultra-luxe Baillie Pavilion – poised to make the most of those windswept views. Or soak it all in from the heart of the lodge, the Great Room, with a glass of KI wine in hand.

the Great Room at Southern Ocean Lodge — The Great Room remains the heart of the lodge.

A founding member of Luxury Lodges of Australia , Southern Ocean Lodge is all about experiential luxury: designed to immerse guests in the surrounding nature, as well as the community of Kangaroo Island.

Read our take on the stunning rebuild here.

Hamilton & Dune

Best for: modern luxury

If this luxury Kangaroo Island accommodation option isn’t already on your radar, Hamilton & Dune’s duo of exclusive lodges overlooking Emu Bay are about to go straight to the top of your wish list.

Woman showering in outdoor shower overlooking the ocean at Hamilton & Dune Kangaroo Island. — Shower with a view at Hamilton & Dune. (Image: Sarah Byden & Vinnie Preston)

Choose between the architecturally designed Dune House, a chic, private three-bedroom property that boasts direct beach access and a sunken living room with a wood fire and a breathtaking backdrop of uninterrupted ocean views; or the homier, yet equally impressive, Hamilton House, which is perfectly sized to cater to larger groups or families with spectacular ocean views and a large deck for entertaining.

Dune House with the wood fire in the centre of the living room. — Cosy up by the fire at Dune House. (Image: Hamilton & Dune)

There are additional experiences to book in advance of your stay, including an in-house massage or yoga session, an in-house chef, food delivery service, a beach picnic experience and more.

Couple sit next to the fire at Hamilton & Dune. — Hamilton & Dune take luxury to the next level. (Image: Sarah Byden & Vinnie Preston)

Stowaway self-contained cottages

Best for: panoramic views

Stowaway is for those who allow aesthetically designed properties to influence their booking decisions. From the beauty of the surrounding natural landscape to the lush furnishings, scenic reading nooks, fireplace, free-standing bath, neutral tones and wooden floorboards within the property – you’ll be hooked.

Stowaway Kangaroo Island's scenic reading nook. — Read your afternoons away in the reading nook. (Image Nadinne Grace Photography)

The four self-contained properties – The Nest, The Sleepy Hollow, The Snug and The Hide – are tucked away on the corner of a family farm on the north coast of the island near Stokes Bay. All properties feature panoramic views of the native bushland and ocean, as well as plenty of opportunities to admire flora and fauna in the Lathami Conservation Park it butts up against – including the rare Glossy Black Cockatoo if you’re lucky.

Large green plant sits beside a double vanity at Stowaway Kangaroo Island. — The property’s aesthetic design will have you swooning. (Image Nadinne Grace Photography)

Spend your days immersed in the rugged beauty of the island, take a dip in the pristine waters of Stokes Bay, and taste the locally sourced food and exceptional wine that the region is renowned for.

Panorama of Stowaway Kangaroo Island. — Take in the panoramic views from Stowaway. (Image Nadinne Grace Photography)

Sky House

Best for: honeymooners or romantic getaways

Spend your stay on Kangaroo Island perched on a cliff overlooking Snellings Beach inside the exquisite Sky House (formerly LifeTime Private Retreats). The luxurious rammed-earth villa sleeps six, but you’ll want this one all to yourselves.

Woman reading book on the bed at The Cliff House on Kangaroo Island. — The Cliff House is luxury in a nutshell. (Image: Melissa Koh)

Boasting a number of romantic features, including a master bedroom fashioned inside a circular tower with panoramic views of the Southern Sea, a cushioned sunken pit with open fire, an outdoor cliff-edge Jacuzzi and a nearby helicopter pad for those romantic scenic flights you’re bound to book.

Woman drinking wine in the jacuzzi by the cliff. — Relax in the cliffside jacuzzi. (Image: Kane Overall)

The addition of a fully equipped kitchen keeps things simple and convenient for those not wanting to venture far, or opt to cook up some of that famous South Australian produce on the barbecue.

Food on the table at The Cliff House overlooking the ocean. — Cook up a feast with a view at Sky House. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Ecopia Retreat

Best for: eco luxury

Set within 60 hectares of pure nature in a private wildlife sanctuary, Ecopia Retreat offers off-grid luxury with plenty of heart.

Choose to sleep in one of two rammed-earth eco villas, loft-style two-bedroom The Rise, or three-bedroom home, the Ecopia Residence.

A couple watches the sun set from the deck ar Ecopia Retreat on Kangaroo Island — Ecopia Retreat is an off-grid luxury stay on a private wildlife sanctuary. (Image: Tourism Australia/South Australian Tourism Commission)

Want more in the way of accommodation with all the trimmings? We’ve lined up Kangaroo Island’s most luxurious stays here.

Holiday home accommodation

Antechamber Bay Retreats

Best for: nature lovers

A stay in one of the three self-contained properties at Antechamber Bay Retreats is a fully immersive experience of Kangaroo Island’s most coveted natural treasures.

Antechamber Bay Retreats bedroom with a view. — Antechamber Bay Retreats has two distinctive cottages: Nat’s and The Kona.

The three distinctive cottages – Nat’s (four bedrooms), The Kona (three bedrooms) and Shylie’s Retreat (one bedroom) – are located on Creek Bay, the oldest continuous farming estate in South Australia. Each property rewards its guests with dramatic ocean vistas, expansive views of native bushland and four kilometres of unspoilt white-sand beach to explore.

Watch the wildlife at dawn and dusk, cook a barbecue on the verandah or book the in-house catering option in advance of your stay for a little extra guaranteed downtime.

Aerial view of Antechamber Bay Retreats and the view of the ocean. — Each property has dramatic ocean views.

Airbnb stays

Airbnb properties on Kangaroo Island are giving hotel rooms a run for their money. Here is a selection that far exceeds expectations when it comes to the humble homestay.

Best for: Those who want it all

Instagrammers flock to the newly renovated, aesthetically appeasing Sorrento on Sorata .
Alchemy on Island Beach is what beach house dreams are made of.
Set up in a charming, contemporary cottage set amid a grove of gums and grass trees at Grass Tree North Coast.

Want more options? We’ve lined up of the best Airbnbs to check out on Kangaroo Island here.

Caravan parks and camping

Are you one of those who want to wake up every day to a different view (and after a cheap accommodation on Kangaroo Island!)? Look no further than the island’s incredible campsites. When nature is the star attraction, it’s no wonder that so many campgrounds have popped up around KI.

Vivonne Bay Campground

Best for: Those who want to stay next to one of Kangaroo Island’s prettiest beaches

Stay a stone’s throw from one of Australia’s best beaches. The campground is accessible for caravans and has both powered and unpowered campsites and is one of the three council campsites to have showers available. It is just up the road from the famous Vivonne Bay General Store , with its equally famous whiting burger (one of the best things to eat on Kangaroo Island).

Costs range from $23 per night for two people at an unpowered site at this council-run campground. It is also pet-friendly, so no need to leave the dog at home.

Woman sits on cliff face overlooking Vivonne Bay. — Camping at Vivonne Bay puts you in the heart of everything. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Kangaroo Island Seafront Holiday Park

Best for: Those who like their camping with a touch of affordable luxury

Only 300m away from the SeaLink Ferry , the Kangaroo Island Seafront Holiday Park has incredible views over Hog Bay Beach. Settle in to enjoy them at one of the caravan parks glamping eco-luxury tents, oceanview villas or from a powered or unpowered campsite.

Couple sit at a table in front of glamping tent at Kangaroo Island Seafront Holiday Park. — Where camping meets luxury. (Image: Kangaroo Island Seafront Holiday Park)

Browns Beach Campground

Best for: Those who want an adventure with the family

With unpowered sites only, Browns Beach Campground overlooks the family-friendly beach located on the north coast of the island. Being just 15 minutes’ drive from Penneshaw, it’s no hassle to duck back into town if you need any further supplies – or a bottle from one of Kangaroo Island’s best wineries.

An accommodation overlooking the Browns Beach. — Stay overlooking the family-friendly Browns Beach. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Check out our Kangaroo Island guide for more on what to see and do while you’re there.

From cabins to canvas, craft distillers to destination dining, Heathcote locals reveal their eco-savvy passions in ways that resonate with those seeking to travel lightly.

Heathcote , on traditional Taungurung Country in Central Victoria, is synonymous with its garnet-hued shiraz, but wine isn’t the only string to its bow. The town itself is sprinkled with heritage buildings from the gold rush era, and beyond that a growing collection of sustainable gastronomy and eco-friendly escapes. Nearby Bendigo, one of only 65 cities in the world recognised as a UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy, plates up an astonishing calibre of produce, wine and food for its size. Increasingly the entire region is taking up the challenge, though Heathcote in particular shines with its focus on sustainability.

Pink Cliffs GeologicalReserve — The dramatic landscape of Heathcote’s Pink Cliffs Geological Reserve. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Goodfrey)

The eco-stays bringing sustainability to Heathcote

Yellow BoxWood’s safari-style tents — Yellow Box Wood’s safari-style tents are nestled on 40 hectares of bushland. (Image: Emily Goodfrey)

Andee and Lisa Davidson spent years working in southern Africa before settling in Heathcote. “We had a vision of how this could be,” explains Andee. “We wanted a retreat, but one that was off-grid and environmentally sustainable.” Now, at Yellow Box Wood , two luxury safari-style tents are at the heart of 40 hectares of rolling hills and native bush, with kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, goanna and birdlife aplenty. It’s all solar-powered, wood for the fire is mainly fallen timber, and water is collected on the carport roof. No lack of creature comforts though – en suite with rain shower, espresso coffee maker, comfy seating, wood-burning fire all set to go. There’s also a solar-heated, mineral salt pool in a bush setting, walking tracks, and even a mini bush golf course. On my visit, I put the vision to the test. Cocooned in the plush four-poster bed I can glimpse the stars, while the heater casts a golden glow on the canvas. In the morning, I wake to a blush-pink sunrise, kangaroos feeding and a soundtrack of magpies.

If a tent is not your style, Stephen and Cally Trompp’s carbon-neutral Mt Ida Eco Cabin might entice with its generous deck and farmland views. Inside the cabin, corrugated iron walls as rusty as a shearing shed, gleaming (recycled) floorboards, timber truss ceiling (crafted by Stephen), wood-fired heater and an old-school turntable with a pile of vinyls to spin. It’s fun, and a little boho. “Everything is recycled. The cabin takes maximum advantage of the sun in winter. It’s all solar-powered. Don’t panic, though,” says Stephen, “you can still charge your phone and get 4G reception!” Settle into an Adirondack chair on the deck or pedal off on a mountain bike to suss out the wineries.

A taste of Spain in Central Victoria

Another person with a vision is Evan Pritchard at his Three Dams Estate where the wines reflect his deep love of Spain and of Spanish-style grapes, such as tempranillo. Afternoons in the ‘wine shed’ or cantina are matched with music (flamenco is a favourite), Spanish bites from tapas to paella (with Evan on the pans!) and views to Mount Alexander. Sustainability is also a passion. “You don’t need to buy anything. We decided to be off-grid from the start, but it is a lifestyle change,” he says. “You need to think about it and be careful.” Everything here is recycled, reassembled, refurbished. Evan has an electric car (with solar-powered charger), solar-power for the winery, and even a jaunty little electric tractor/forklift. “I love the idea of all the things you can do using the sun.” Sipping a crisp rosado (a Spanish rosé) with Evan in the sunshine, I couldn’t agree more.

The vineyard redefining sustainable winemaking

Silver Spoon winery — The Silverspoon Estate winery is completely off-grid. (Image: Graham Hosking)

On the other side of Heathcote, Silver Spoon Estate demonstrates sustainability on a more extensive scale. Tracie and Peter Young’s winery, cellar door, award-winning restaurant and their own house are all solar-powered and off the grid. Sustainability is intrinsic to everything they do. The property sprawls across 100 hectares, with 20 hectares under vine – shiraz, viognier, grenache, tempranillo. As the climate has changed, so too has the approach. These are dry-grown vineyards. “We prune for drought. That means lower yields but more intense flavours,” says Peter. The fine-dining restaurant offers sweeping views, a wood-burning fire and a deck for languid lunches. Head chef Ben Hong sources regional, sustainable ingredients and weaves estate wines into the menu – think crispy wild mushroom arancini, viognier-infused chicken breast.

Silver Spoon’s award-winning restaurant.

Heathcote’s other hidden gems

Not all local wineries have a cellar door, but I find local treasures at the Heathcote Wine Hub , a petite 1855 timber church in the main street, lovingly returned to life by Karen Robertson and Carey Moncrieff. “Carey is a scrounger,” says Karen. “He doesn’t throw a single thing away.” He does, however, craft things into something quite special. Heritage floors, light-filtering lancet windows and shelves of regional wines create the perfect ambience for wine tasting. Or order a glass and linger over a cheese platter.

Heathcote is not all wine, of course. Nathan Wheat and partner Vanessa Curtis run Envy Distilling with a committed sustainable ethic – and a serious love of gin. Their small-batch distillery produces grape-based gin, and soon brandy. Distilled water is reused in an ingenious cooling system. All waste is treated on site. They buy excess wine from winemakers to distil and buy recycled barrels. “Distilling with the sun,” as Nathan says. Each Envy gin has its own story. Spicy, award-winning The Dry, is designed to capture the region’s dry, rugged nature. Pull up a stool at the bar (reclaimed timbers and tiles, of course), order a Gin Flight, or kick back with a cocktail and let Nathan share his eco journey.

Envy gins — Sample gins at small-batch distillery Envy.

A traveller’s checklist

Getting there

It’s less than two hours’ drive from Melbourne. The scenic route we take goes past Sunbury, then along a splendid country road through Romsey and the magic, boulder-strewn landscape of Lancefield. Watch for kangaroos on the road!

Staying there

Go off-grid in style at Yellow Box Wood for glamping or try Mt Ida Eco Cabin for a couple’s weekend hideaway.

Eating there

French dishes at Chauncy — Award-winning French restaurant Chauncy.

At award-winning Chauncy , French chef Louis Naepels and sommelier wife Tess Murray have created a tiny, elegant pocket of rural France. Meticulously restored 1850s sandstone building, sun-drenched dining room, impeccable service, a menu suffused with local flavours and thoughtful wine pairings.

Fodder is both cafe and social hub. Chef Mo Pun and sister Lalita serve classic Aussie breakfast-to-lunch fare, though their Nepalese heritage sneaks through.

Playing there

Sanguine Estate ’s cellar door and terrace overlook bucolic vineyards. Its award-winning, dry-grown wines include the distinctive D’Orsa Blanc dessert wine, reflecting the family’s Swiss-Italian heritage. Order a charcuterie board and stay a while. Keep it carbon neutral by cycling some (or all) of the 50-kilometre O’Keefe Rail Trail to Bendigo.

At Bridgeward Grove , learn about the property’s Old Mission Grove heritage olive trees, do a sommelier olive oil tasting, and stock up on sustainably grown olives and oil. Explore the unique landscape, wildflowers and wildlife of pink cliffs geological reserve.

A Kangaroo Island accommodation go-to guide