10 beautiful camping spots on Kangaroo Island

Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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Camping on Kangaroo Island includes options that range from rustic log cabins and glampsites to pared-back places to pitch your tent.

Kangaroo Island has a mix of privately owned caravan parks, council-run sites and conservation areas and national parks where you can throw up a tent or pull in with your caravan. Here are some of the best Kangaroo Island camping spots.

Pennington Bay, Kangaroo Island, South Australia, Australia
See amazing views of Pennington Bay on your camping trip. (Image: Isaac Forman)

1. Kangaroo Island Seafront Holiday Park

Roughing it has never been so appealing. Forget tinned spaghetti. Stock up on permaculture produce from Petite Provenance, and artisanal goods from Vivonne Bay General Store, one of the best places to eat on Kangaroo Island, before settling into your glamping tent at Kangaroo Island Seafront Holiday Park.

 

Glamp or camp at Kangaroo Island Seafront Holiday Park.

Located 300 metres from the SeaLink Ferry, the campground has views over Hog Bay Beach and the ruffled sea surging through Backstairs Passage.

SeaLink Ferry, Kangaroo Island, South Australia
From the SeaLink Ferry, the campground has views over Hog Bay Beach. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission/Adam Bruzzone)

Accommodation options include Eco Luxury Tents, Eco Family Tents and Oceanview Villas as well as powered campsites for caravans and camping.

Inside an Eco Luxury Tent at Seafront Holiday Park.
Inside an Eco Luxury Tent at Seafront Holiday Park.

2. Western KI Caravan Park & Wildlife Reserve

You will find your days start to vanish rather quickly when you’re out and about enjoying the wide, open spaces and nature trails that loop around the Western KI Caravan Park. The campground has powered and unpowered tent sites, as well as modern and well-maintained shower blocks and a children’s playground. Got a gammy back? Say goodbye to your sleeping bag and bunker down in the self-contained log cabins or luxury cabins.

Western KI Caravan Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Enjoy the wide, open spaces and nature trails.

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3. Discovery Lagoon Caravan and Camping Grounds

Eco campers and caravanners will appreciate the fact the Discovery Lagoon Caravan and Camping Grounds is run entirely on renewable energy. The campground is surrounded by red river gums on a 40-hectare property that is about three kilometres from Emu Bay Beach, where you can set sail on a fishing charter and see the sea open up. The campsite also has two one-bedroom eco glamping cottages which are designed for couples.

Emu Bay, Kangaroo Island, South Australia, Australia
Three kilometres from Emu Bay Beach, you can set sail on a fishing charter and see the sea open up. (Image: @jay.bevs)

4. Harveys Return

Harveys Return Campground is a short (steep) hike away from Harveys Bay, going from green to cyan as it traces the original horse cart track used by the Cape Borda lighthouse keepers on the northwest tip of the island. The bare bush campground has sheltered picnic tables, gas barbecue facilities and toilets and is surrounded by a grove of eucalyptus trees with leaves that flicker in the light. Walk through the scrubby grey-green terrain to get to the lighthouse, built in 1858.

5. American River Campground

This council-run campground is located near a boat ramp near a narrow neck of the American River, which, incidentally, is not a river, and has capacity for just 15 or so campers. Like many of the campgrounds on Kangaroo Island, the American River Campground is basic, making it well suited for old-school campers: there are toilets and hot showers, sheltered picnic tables and powered and non-powered sites, too. Rise at dawn to cast a line in the ‘river’.

American River, Kangaroo Island, South Australia, Australia
The American River Campground is well suited for old-school campers. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

6. D’Estrees Bay Campgrounds

There are five campsites scattered across four campgrounds located within the vast tract of wilderness at D’Estrees Bay. The Big Sand Dune Campground has just one campsite, and is the campground of choice for hard-core campers who like to sleep under a sky confetti’d with stars with not another soul around. It’s the stillness and solitude that is most luxurious at this site which accommodates camper trailers and tents and offers easy access to Southern Kangaroo Island Marine Park.

7. Duck Lagoon Campground

Bird-watchers will appreciate the purpose-built bird hide and observation platform at Duck Lagoon Camp Ground, a small reserve near Cygnet River that is a haven for migratory birds. Enjoy a quiet walk along the banks of the lagoon and read the interpretative signage about the area’s history as squadrons of birds (such as Australian pelicans) fly overhead. Walk along the shore and note the presence of pied oystercatchers, royal spoonbills and black swans in your little black bird book.

Duck Lagoon Campground, Kangaroo Island, South Australia, Australia
The Duck Lagoon is a haven for migratory birds.

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8. Western River Cove Campground

The Western River Cove Campground is situated on the rugged north coast of Kangaroo Island, about an hour’s drive from Kingscote. A footbridge runs like a corridor through the campground over the river that runs through it and down onto the white sand. The Western River Campground is not suitable for caravans and has no powered sites, but like all the council-run grounds, it is pet-friendly.

Western River Cove Campground, Kangaroo Island, South Australia
See the rugged north coast of Kangaroo Island.

9. Browns Beach Campground

Browns Beach Campground occupies a prime piece of real estate on Nepean Bay, just 15 minutes’ drive from Penneshaw. Set up your camp chair, pour yourself a glass of Dudley Kangaroo Porky Flat Shiraz, and sit in the sunshine on your own private patch of sand on the dunes overlooking Brown Beach. The family-friendly beach is located on the north coast of Dudley Peninsula and is hard to beat for beachside camping nirvana.

Aerial view of Browns Beach, Kangaroo Island, South Australia, Australia
Sit in the sunshine on your own private patch of sand on the dunes overlooking Brown Beach. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

10. Vivonne Bay Campground

The six-kilometre U-shaped beach at Vivonne Bay is regularly ranked as one of Australia’s best. From above, the bay presents like a colour catalogue of all the possible blues and greens. Get amongst it by surfing, fishing, snorkelling, playing classic catches or beach cricket, just a few of the many excellent things to do on this corner of Kangaroo Island. Located about 45 minutes from Kingscote, the campground is accessible for caravans and has both powered and unpowered campsites.

Vivonne Bay, Kangaroo Island, South Australia, Australia
Witness the colour catalogue of all the possible blues and greens.
If you are looking to mix up your stay on Kangaroo Island, spend a night at one of our luxury accommodation recommendations or one of our picks of best places to stay.
Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti has written across print and digital for Australian Traveller and International Traveller for more than a decade and has spent more than two decades finding excuses to eat well and travel far. A prestigious News Corp cadetship launched her career at The Cairns Post, before a stint at The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald gave way to extended wanders through Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, Asia and Europe. Carla was chief sub editor at delicious and has contributed to Good Food, Travel & Luxury, Explore Travel, Escape. While living in London, Carla was on staff at Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times Travel desk and was part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK.
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A gourmand’s guide to eating your way around Hamilton Island

(Credit: Nikki To)

    Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
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    From poolside bites and tasting flights to seafood plates and dry-aged steaks, a foodie adventure on Hamilton Island is worth every bite.

    Hamilton Island’s sun-lacquered shores have long magnetised travellers craving an escape from reality. But what’s less expected – and more interesting – is just how assuredly this Whitsundays idyll delivers on the culinary front. Dialling up the flavour as much as the barefoot allure, the Hamilton Island food scene offers world-class dining and drinking options, spanning slick fine-dining moments to just-caught seafood served within sight of the sea. Let’s dig in.

    Catseye Pool Club

    Catseye Pool Club
    Catseye Pool Club offers stunning beach views. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Framing the electric blues of Catseye Beach from The Sundays hotel, Catseye Pool Club is Hamilton Island’s latest culinary prodigy. Shown to our table, we thread through rattan chairs, Zellige tiles and tumbling greenery that opens up to Coral Sea shimmer.

    The poolside restaurant is the brainchild of Sydney-based chef duo Josh and Julie Niland, who have brought their relaxed yet elevated dining ethos north. The menu – designed to bring people together – is made for sharing, each hero ingredient orbited by a palette of sides to mix, match and layer as you please.

    My thyme cocktail – woody with scotch, lifted by lime leaf – pairs perfectly with the charcoal grilled prawns entree, which is served with tumeric and lemongrass marinade, macadamia satay sauce and a thai-leaning sour green mango salad. Each forkful lands differently, but all are a delight. Then comes the coral trout. True to Josh Niland’s ‘scale-to-tail’ philosophy, the fish is presented whole in a theatrical crescent, a tiny fork stuck into its cheek in a nod to Niland’s declared prize cut. Ribbons of zucchini resembling gauzy curtains bring brightness and snap, while kasundi lends depth and warmth. It’s tongue-tantalising, special occasion dining with humanity.

    Sails Restaurant

    Sails Restaurant hamilton island
    Settle into casual poolside dining. (Credit: Nikki To)

    A more casual poolside dining scene awaits at nearby Sails Restaurant, where Eastern Mediterranean flavours are dished up with an island twist. Chermoula chicken skewers and barramundi souvlaki lie on the more filling side of the menu, while the sumac squid and stone-bread flatbread with za’atar – arriving alongside pomegranate molasses, beetroot hummus and crushed macadamias – are perfect light bites after a dip in the pool. And don’t miss the garlic lemon scallops.

    The setting is equally part of the draw. Sunlight floods the high-ceilinged dining room, while outdoor tables look out across the glittering expanse of Catseye Beach. Holidaymakers in oversized sunglasses sip spritzes beneath umbrellas, the gentle clink of plates mixing with splashes from the adjacent pool. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to linger long after lunch.

    Bommie

    cuttlefish dish at Bommie restaurant Hamilton Island Yacht Club
    Head to the Hamilton Island Yacht Club for a taste of Bommie. (Credit: Nikki To)

    Tucked into a sleek curved wing of the Hamilton Island Yacht Club, Bommie delivers experiential fine dining with a sense of occasion. Led by award-winning Executive Chef Ryan Locke, the seasonal menu champions local and native Australian ingredients whipped up into a modern display of creative precision.

    Inside the dim-lit dining room, guests can choose between the Tasting Menu or Chef’s Signature Degustation. Sourdough with pine oil sets the tone for the six-course tasting menu, beautifully presented in a bed of pine needles alongside smoked paperbark butter. I love how the squid ink choux pastry is served with flavour-popping native finger lime, which our waiter encourages us to eat caviar-style. Standout moments continue with the wattle-seed-crusted venison elevated by red fruit and pickled beetroot swirls; the meat is perfectly pink in the middle and an homage to the island’s history as a deer farm.

    Pebble Beach

    qualia Resort Pebble Beach
    qualia Resort guests can dine at Pebble Beach. (Credit: Lean Timms)

    Exclusive to qualia Resort guests for lunch and dinner, Pebble Beach is Hamilton Island’s most serene expression of seasonal island dining. Ocean-facing chairs dot a timber deck that spills straight onto the resort’s private beach, while crystalline turquoise waters stretch to meet distant islands – a scene far prettier than any postcard could capture.

    The recently refreshed menu doubles down on seasonality and bright, layered flavours. While the more substantial T-bone steak with hazelnut honey carrots tempts, we go lighter: Coffin Bay oysters with Champagne foam and keffir lime dust kick us off splendidly, followed by Byron Bay burrata served with balsamic and caramelised figs. The fennel and orange salad topped with succulent grilled chicken is utterly delectable, but it’s the zingy, oh-so-fresh soft shell fish tacos that I can’t stop thinking about. It all goes down a treat with a glass of delicate Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Champagne.

    Beach Club Restaurant

    Beach Club Restaurant hamilton island
    Book in advance for Beach Club Restaurant. (Credit: Nikki To)

    A lunch or dinner table at Beach Club Restaurant is best booked in advance – and it’s easy to see why. Looking out over the hotel’s palm-fringed infinity pool, the restaurant spotlights elegant contemporary Australian cuisine with a stellar (also Aussie-leaning) wine list to match.

    I am completely enamoured by the grilled Queensland prawns, which are brought to life with a smoked compound, local fried curry leaves and lime. Digging into the butter-soft lamb rump served atop pea ragout and parsley Paris mash feels like a warm, nostalgic hug. And dessert – vanilla bean ice cream drizzled with hot salted honey and apple gel – ends the night on a high note.

    Expect warm and discreet service; our waiter Marco tells us that the tiny decorative starfish on our table are there to help the staff remember whether we prefer sparkling or still water, so they don’t need to bother us by asking multiple times.

    Talk & Taste with Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher

    hamilton island Talk & Taste with Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher
    Join this immersive wine experience. (Credit Eleanor Edström)

    There’s more to Hamilton Island’s foodie scene than restaurant reservations alone. For wine-curious travellers seeking something a little more immersive, Beach Club has recently introduced Talk & Taste – a tutored tasting hosted by Bommie Assistant Manager and wine enthusiast Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher. Held twice weekly for a maximum of eight guests, the experience explores Australian wine culture through four thoughtfully selected drops paired with native-inspired bites.

    We opt for the white wine and seafood option. Alongside pours from Eden Valley and Launceston, a nibbling platter arrives featuring sashimi, salmon roe, Mooloolaba prawn ceviche and palate-cleansing ginger. The seafood is pristine and pared back, allowing the wines to take centre stage.

    The real highlight, however, is discovering just how nuanced winemaking can be. Courtenay speaks of viticulture as both art and science: harvest grapes a week too late and ripeness tips into ruin; plant the same varietal on different elevations and the sun, slope and water flow will shape entirely different expressions. Pinot noir, she explains, with its delicate skin and high water content, yields lighter fruit-forward wines, while thicker-skinned shiraz delivers depth and structure. I leave feeling fascinated and inspired by Courtenay’s evident passion.

    coca chu

    table spread at CocaChu
    Get a taste of Southeast Asian flavours. (Credit: Nikki To)

    Sweet and hot. Sour and salty. Dining at ever-popular coca chu is a sensation-swirling experience that’s not to be missed if you’re a sucker for punchy Southeast Asian flavours. Located at the Main Pool end of Catseye Beach, this lively hangout is all swaying lanterns, driftwood, high beamed ceilings and giant open windows that let in the balmy ocean breeze.

    Drawing from hawker traditions, the grilled betel leaf is a neat, vibrant mouthful of chilli fried cashews and spiced beef. The tofu surprises – soft beneath a tumble of dill, mint and coriander, and glossed in moreish peanut sauce. The massaman curry is pure comfort: creamy, fragrant, fall-apart meat. It’s generous and expressive cooking that I, for one, cannot get enough of.

    Marina Cafe

    hamilton island MArina Cafe
    Take in harbour views and comfort food.

    Sometimes, all you crave on holidays is a bacon and egg roll done properly and a creamy fruit smoothie. Boasting harbour views, an easygoing atmosphere and clean modern interiors, Marina Cafe is a popular local haunt for a reason. The casual menu lures families and couples alike with its all-day brekky, seasonal salads and sandwiches – from a roasted pumpkin bowl to prosciutto and rocket on herby focaccia.

    The acai bowl, topped with toasted nuts and berries, is a refreshing start to my day. Whether you sit in or takeaway, it’s a good-vibes-guaranteed place to refuel before or after your Whitsundays adventures.

    Discover your foodie getaway now at hamiltonisland.com.au.