Wonders of KI

In the company of a Southern Ocean Lodge guide, guests venture west from the lodge to the Hanson Bay Sanctuary where koalas may be spotted high in the gum trees. Further on, a grassy clearing before the National Park entrance reveals a population of pretty Cape Barren Geese.

The 32,660-hectare Flinders Chase National Park is a spectacular wilderness of dense bush and scrub stretching to the coast. The tour breaks at Admirals Arch, where the red-topped Cape du Couedic Lighthouse and lighthouse keeper’s cottages offer a perfect photo opportunity. Constructed from some 2,000 pieces of local stone in 1906, the lighthouse holds a fascinating history of personal survival, with building materials and subsequently the family’s food supplies delivered via a winch up the sheer 92-metre cliff at Weirs Cove.

A boardwalk cantilevers down the coast, past two remote islands called the Casuarinas (The Brothers) to the fur seal colony at Admirals Arch. The seals frolic in a natural wave pool, surf in the Southern Ocean swell or laze in the sunshine along the rocks, perfectly camouflaged. The arch is a natural grotto, providing shelter from the wind as well as a thrilling surf channel for the foolhardiest of seals. It’s a great place to photograph seals, from cute pups to the more mature.

The journey continues to one of Kangaroo Island’s signature landmarks, the Remarkable Rocks, a gathering of fascinating time-and-wind-worn rocks sitting atop a granite outcrop. Comprised of black mica, blue quartz, and pink feldspar, the rocks make for fabulous photography at any time of day, with many clusters are covered by golden orange lichen adding to the picture. Visitors can wander through the arches and crevices, finding artistic angles in which to pose and take photos.

The experience is included in the tariff and is provided on an intimate shared basis with fellow guests at scheduled times. Private touring can be arranged at additional cost subject to availability.