A Kangaroo Island accommodation go-to guide

Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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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
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.

 

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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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.

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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

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.
Kate Bettes
Kate Bettes is a freelance travel writer. Whether having a picnic in Vietnamese jungle with new friends, or partying in the back of a limousine in Hollywood, Kate’s experiences have left her with the sneaking suspicion that the best travel memories happen when you least expect. It’s this feeling - and how to get it - that she loves to write about.
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Ecopia Retreat, Kangaroo Island, Australia
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From coast to bush: these are Gippsland’s best hikes

    Michael Turtle Michael Turtle
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    Video credit: Tourism Australia

    From coast to mountains, hiking in Gippsland offers a stunning array of landscapes, with trails that take you deep into the region’s heritage.

    I step out onto the sand and it cries out underfoot. Kweek! I take another step and there’s another little yelp. Screet! Picking up the pace, the sounds follow me like my shadow, all the way down to the water. It’s obvious how this spot got its name – Squeaky Beach – from the rounded grains of quartz that make the distinctive sounds under pressure.

    For many, Wilsons Promontory National Park is the gateway to Gippsland, and the best way to explore it is by walking its network of hiking trails, from coastal gems such as Squeaky Beach through to the bushland, among the wildlife. But it’s still just a taste of what you’ll find on foot in the region.

    Venture a bit further into Gippsland and you’ll discover the lakes, the rainforest, and the alpine peaks, each changing with the season and offering summer strolls or winter walks. Just like that squeaky sand, each step along these trails has something to tell you: perhaps a story about an ancient spirit or a pioneering search for fortune.

    The best coastal hikes in Gippsland

    sunset at Wilsons Promontory National Park
    Wilsons Promontory National Park is a sprawling wilderness with many coastal bushland trails. (Image: Mark Watson)

    Wilsons Promontory National Park (or ‘The Prom’, as you’ll end up calling it) is an easy three-hour drive from Melbourne, but you might ditch the car when you arrive, with much of the park’s 50,000 hectares accessible only by foot. From the inky water of Tidal River (dyed dark purple by abundant tea trees), I like the easy walks along the coast, among lichen-laden granite boulders, to golden beaches and bays.

    a couple on Mount Oberon
    Panoramic views from the summit of Mount Oberon. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

    The trail to the panoramic views at the summit of Mount Oberon is a bit harder, up steep timber and granite steps, but it’s a popular 6.8-kilometre return. The more remote hikes are found through the open banksia and stringybark woodland of the park’s north, or along the multi-day Southern Circuit, which ranges from about 35 to 52 kilometres, with sunrises and sunsets, kangaroos and cockatoos, and maybe even whales.

    a golden sand beach at Wilsons Promontory National Park
    Walk ‘The Prom’s’ golden sand beaches. (Image: Tourism Australia/Time Out Australia)

    You might also see whales on the George Bass Coastal Walk, even closer to Melbourne on the western edge of Gippsland. This dramatic seven-kilometre trail along the clifftops takes in sweeping views of the wild ocean, occasionally dipping down from grassy green hills to coastal gullies and a secluded beach. It also now links into the Bass Coast Rail Trail for an extra 14 kilometres.

    the George Bass Coastal Walk
    George Bass Coastal Walk trails for seven kilometres along clifftops. (Image: Visit Victoria/Time Out Australia)

    Over at the eastern edge of Gippsland, in Croajingolong National Park, you can wander along the lakeshores beneath koalas and around goannas (I keep my distance since one chased me here!). For those who are even more adventurous, the park is also the starting point for the 100-kilometre Wilderness Coast Walk, usually done over seven days.

    the Croajingolong National Park, Gippsland
    Wander along the lakeshores in Croajingolong National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    The best bush hikes in Gippsland

    the Baw Baw National Park
    The alpine heath of Baw Baw National Park. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

    Deep in the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine at Walhalla, mining guide Richard tells me how this small town in the mountains east of Melbourne boomed when prospectors found gold here in 1862. These days, you’ll find most of the town’s treasure – its heritage – above ground, with the Walhalla Tramline Walk a wonderful way to explore it.

    Just seven kilometres long, the walk takes you through decades of Gold Rush history, following the original rail trail from lush bushland to the mining sites, and through the charming village of just 20 residents with its wooden cottages and old shopfronts adorned with turn-of-the-century advertising posters. Blazing a trail where trailblazers once opened up the region, this is also the starting point for the 650-kilometre Australian Alps Walking Track.

    Nearby, Baw Baw National Park has walks through gnarled snow gums and alpine heaths that show off the colourful wildflowers in summer and the pristine carpet of white in winter. Several trails are perfect for snowshoes, including a 45-minute route from St Gwinear up to vast views across the Latrobe Valley.

    Further up into the mountains, the Toorongo and Amphitheatre Falls Loop Walk is an easy 2.2-kilometre path that serenades you with the sound of flowing water as you pass mossy rocks and tree ferns en route to two sets of waterfalls cascading over boulders in the remote wilderness.

    The best cultural hikes in Gippsland

    the Mitchell River National Park, Gippsland
    Hike the Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

    Across a pool in a natural sandstone amphitheatre, deep within a cave behind a waterfall, it’s said the Nargun has its lair. A fierce creature, half human and half stone, that abducts children and can’t be harmed by boomerangs or spears, the story of the Nargun has been told around the campfires of the local Gunaikurnai people for generations.

    As a culturally significant place for women, hikers are asked not to go into the Den of Nargun, but a 3.4-kilometre loop walk leads you through a rainforest gully to the entrance where you can feel the powerful atmosphere here in Mitchell River National Park, along Victoria’s largest remaining wild and free-flowing waterway.

    the bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park
    Bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

    The Den of Nargun is part of the Bataluk Cultural Trail, a series of important traditional Gunaikurnai sites through central Gippsland. Another location is Victoria’s largest cave system, Buchan Caves Reserve, with trails to important archaeological sites of human artefacts up to 18,000 years old. The FJ Wilson Interpreted Walk includes the naturally sculpted white limestone steps of the 400-metre-long Federal Cave, while the Granite Pools Walk goes among tall timber and moss-covered gullies.

    the ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park
    The ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park. (Image: Josie Withers)

    Also important to the Gunaikurnai people is Tarra-Bulga National Park, known for its ancient myrtle beeches and enormous mountain ash trees. Just 40 minutes return, the Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk offers a taste of this verdant landscape, while the Grand Strzelecki Track takes you deep into the lost world of forest giants on an epic 100-kilometre trail rich with tradition.

    A traveller’s checklist

    Staying there

    the WildernessRetreats in The Prom
    Wilderness Retreats in The Prom. (Image: Christian Pearson)

    Wilderness Retreats in Wilsons Promontory offers glamping-style tents with luxurious queen beds. Star Hotel is a reconstruction of a Gold Rush-era hotel from 1863 in the heart of heritage Walhalla. Caves House is a historic three-bedroom house with views over the Buchan River.

    Eating there

    the Carrajung Estate, Gippsland
    Enjoy a post-hike lunch at Carrajung Estate. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

    Kilcunda General Store serves great coffee and meals of local produce at the George Bass Coastal Walk. Alpine Trout Farm is located near Toorongo Falls in Noojee. Fish for your own lunch and barbecue it with the provided cookware.

    Carrajung Estate is a short drive from Tarra-Bulga National Park. The winery’s restaurant offers a seasonal menu of regional ingredients and you can stay at The Lodge.

    a seafood feast at Carrajung Estate, Gippsland
    The table is set for a seafood feast at the estate.

    Video credit: Tourism Australia