Hike the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail Itinerary

Starting in

Adelaide, Australia

Physical Difficulty

3 / 5

Breakfasts included

4

Lunches included

5

Dinners included

4

Ending in

Adelaide, Australia

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night), Cabins with shared facilities (3 nights)

Transport

Private Vehicle , Ferry , Walking

This is the island life, reimagined. Discover Australian bushland and native Aussie animals on this five-day walking trip that will get you closer to the wilderness. The Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail spotlights scenic terrains with ocean vistas as well as inland trails that take you through tall Malle forests and bush. You’ll discover the Cape Du Couedic Lighthouse and explore one of the island’s most-loved landmarks, Remarkable Rocks, carved by the sea and wind for the last 500 million years. With an expert guide leading the way, this is your chance to get back to nature, get active, relax and reconnect.

Day 1: Adelaide / Kangaroo Island

Welcome to Adelaide! Or Tandanya in the language of The Kaurna people, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which Adelaide is now located. This morning, you’ll meet your fellow adventurers and local leader at 8 am, then hit the road to Cape Jervis to catch the ferry to Kangaroo Island. When you arrive, strap on your walking shoes and take to the South Australian tracks. After your first walk of the trip, you’ll settle into your Kangaroo Island accommodation and join your newfound travel companions for a welcome dinner, where you’ll get to know one another and toast to the epic adventure ahead.

Day 2: Kangaroo Island

After breakfast, it’s time to drive to the Kangaroo Island wilderness trailhead to get started on today’s walk. There'll be time to explore the Kangaroo Island National Park Visitors Centre where you’ll learn more about the history and wilderness of this area before you take to the track. This first section of the wilderness trail leads to Snake Lagoon and you’ll pass through forest and coastal vegetation along the way. Look out for kangaroos and echidnas as well as interesting plant species during your walk. You can recharge this afternoon as you settle into your new accommodation – your home for the next three nights.

Day 3: Kangaroo Island

Today, get ready to hit the coast, following spectacular sea cliffs and deserted bays below. As you walk along the wild and rugged coastline, you’ll be met with vast views across the Southern Ocean. Keep your eyes peeled for bottled-nosed dolphins below and seabirds soaring above. You’ll notice the famous Cape Du Couedic Lighthouse that sits atop the headland in the distance – you’ll have time to explore the tower, built between 1906 and 1909 and get up close and personal with the local seal colony who call this area home. From here, make your way to Wiers Cove – a beautiful bay surrounded by calcarenite cliffs. Your walk will then end at Remarkable Rocks – a collection of granite boulders with bright orange lichen, sitting above the sea and one of the island’s most-loved landmarks. The rocks have been carved by the sea and wind for the last 500 million years! After some time to admire the natural wonders, you’ll make your way back to your accommodation.

Day 4: Kangaroo Island

The trip’s penultimate walk will send you high above the sea cliffs with coastal views and a good chance of spotting playful dolphins and whales! After some time on the clifftops on a rocky limestone path, you’ll make your way inland through tall Mallee forests and low coastal heath. The island’s comeback after the late 2019 bushfires is evident in the fresh flowers and regrowth that blanket much of the landscape. Seeing how the ecology of the island, particularly the local orchids, has bounced back from the devasting fires is a unique experience. Your guide will help point out echidnas and wallabies on this afternoon’s inland section of the track. You’ll return to your accommodation for one final dinner with your group.

Day 5: Kangaroo Island / Adelaide

Enjoy a final breakfast with your walking crew before you hit the tracks one last time to complete the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. You’ll spend the morning walking before making your way back to Penneshaw to catch the early afternoon ferry and head to Adelaide where your walking adventure will come to an end.

Essential Trip Information

Joining point

Adelaide Central Bus Station, 83 Franklin St , Adelaide, AUSTRALIA

Finish point

Adelaide Central Bus Station, 83 Franklin St , Adelaide, AUSTRALIA

Important information

START & END TIMES
The trip begins with a pick up in Adelaide at 8:00am, and finishes upon arrival back into Adelaide on the last day at approximately 5:30pm.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A Single Supplement for the night of day 1 ONLY is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. The remaining nights on the trip are in twin share cabins with shared facilities and a single room option is not available.

FERRY TO AND FROM KANGAROO ISLAND
The ferry crossing between the mainland and Kangaroo Island can sometimes be rough. If you are prone to sea sickness we recommend you bring medication.

Emergency contact

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:





1300 544 882 or +61 8 6219 5164

Is this trip right for you

This trip involves plenty of walking over varied terrain and is best suited to travellers with a good level of mobility. Good footwear, clothing for all types of weather, plus perhaps walking poles are recommended. Details on physical activities can be found in the itinerary.

Why we love it

Get active and reconnect with nature as you take on the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail that winds across the island, with an expert local leader by your side., Look out for local wildlife, including the resident seals at Cape Du Couedic Lighthouse, wallabies, dolphins, kangaroos and all the birdlife soaring above!, Explore one of the island’s most-loved landmarks, Remarkable Rocks, carved by the sea and wind for the last 500 million years., Meet a local Aboriginal guide who will take you for a walk around the Warriparinga wetlands where you'll learn about the history of the location and its traditional cultural significance., Discover the Cape Du Couedic Lighthouse, built in 1906 – 1909 and marvel at how the ecology of the island, particularly the local orchids, have bounced back from the fires of 2019.

Group leader

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative.

Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Safety

TRAVEL ADVISORIES & ALERTS
We recommend that you check your government's foreign travel advisory for the latest information about the destination before you travel. You will also need to ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Links to travel advisories and any current travel alerts for our trips can be found here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts

PERSONAL SAFETY
Ensure you have a secure method of carrying your passport, phone, credit cards and cash while travelling such as a money belt. Leave all other high value items, including jewellery, at home Use safety deposit boxes at hotels to store your valuables when available and ensure your luggage is lockable. Be aware of the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft. Exercise caution when walking at night, don’t walk alone and stick to well-lit streets wherever possible. Be vigilant on public transport and look out for your fellow travellers. Take precautions such as carrying your bag in front of you and never leaving personal items unattended.

LGBTQIA+ TRAVELLERS
Intrepid welcomes all LGBTQIA+ customers on our trips, however we operate in parts of the world that are less accepting. We support LGBTQIA+ customers to travel to these destinations and are committed to ensuring they face no discrimination on any part of the trip we control. We recommend you visit Equaldex (https://www.equaldex.com/) and your government's foreign travel advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers when choosing your trip., https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines

Visas

PASSPORT
You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date.

We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends.

VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements

All travellers, except New Zealand citizens, must obtain a visa or travel authority before travelling to Australia. Failure to do so means you may not be allowed to board your flight to Australia. Most nationalities can obtain an Electronic Travel Authority via the internet before arrival. Please check the following website or with your relevant Australian visa issuing office for your nationalities requirements. http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/

Last modified (date)

Information not available.

Validity

Validity: 01 May 2025 to 30 Jun 2026

Additional Information

Health

GENERAL HEALTH
All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others, if you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements.

When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the assessment of our group leader or local representative a traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund.

You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. If you are carrying medication, ensure you check your government's foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements. 


HYDRATION
Daytime temperatures across Australia can be extreme from October to March with temperatures over 40C/104F. Even for travellers familiar with these temperatures, it’s easy to become dehydrated. The key point to remember is not to wait until you’re thirsty, but to drink water regularly. Adding an electrolyte solution can aid in replenishing the salts/electrolytes lost when travelling at this time of year.

In extreme heat you will be required to carry 1L of water per hour of walking.

As we operate in remote areas, guests will need to bring all of their own personal medications on tour. Whilst our guides are qualified in remote area or wilderness first aid and carry satellite phones, we do not carry epi-pens, Ventolin or other emergency medications. If a person requires urgent medical attention whilst on tour, it may take several hours or more for emergency services to attend the scene and take you to a medical facility. Under certain circumstances, your tour consultant may request a medical certificate of fitness before you are cleared to participate in the tour. If pre-existing medical issues that will affect your ability to complete the tour or have an impact on other guests' experiences are not disclosed prior to the departure, we reserve the right to remove you from the tour.

Food and dietary requirements

All meals are included on the tour, except lunch on the last day. Breakfast comprises cereals, fruit, yoghurt, toast, juice, tea and freshly brewed coffee. Each day your guide will carry tea, coffee and a home-made cake for your morning tea. Fruit is also available. On some days lunch is self-made from fresh breads, salads and meats. On other days, where there is vehicle
access to the track, the bus will bring us a tasty and nutritious picnic lunch. Enjoy pre-dinner nibbles with fellow guests each evening while your guides prepare a delicious two course meal for dinner. Feel free to bring alcohol and additional snacks e.g. muesli bars, nuts, chocolate etc. There will be time for you to purchase additional alcohol and supplies during the week. Please let us know of any dietary requirements before you book your Kangaroo Island Wilderness tour. We can happily adapt our menu to accommodate most dietary needs. Assistance is appreciated with clearing away and washing up but only if you feel like helping!

Money matters

SPENDING MONEY
When it comes to spending money on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. Make sure you have read the itinerary and inclusions thoroughly so you know what is included in the trip price and what you may need to pay for while travelling.

AUSTRALIA
The official currency of Australia is the Australian dollar (AUD). Card payments, including digital card payments like Apple Pay, are the most common form of payment in Australia. Many vendors add a small surcharge for card payments. Cash is accepted in most places and ATMs are common.

TIPPING
Tipping is generally voluntary in Australia and is most commonly used to show appreciation for good service. Tipping is most common in the hospitality industry, especially at higher end restaurants and bars. If you choose to tip, the general rule is to add 10-15% to the bill. But these rules are just guidelines - feel free to tip however much or however little you feel comfortable with. After dining out, cash is left on the table, or in a tip jar at the counter. A tip can also be added to any cashless transaction that includes a tipping function. Taxi drivers won’t expect a tip, although it’s common to round up the fare to the nearest dollar. You do not need to tip hotel staff or local guides in Australia. 

You may consider tipping your leader for outstanding service throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline 4-6 AUD per person, per day can be used. 

CONTINGENCY FUNDS
We try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond our control. We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or a Force Majeure Event. In such emergency circumstances, the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. Please note we are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred as a result of the change of itineraries including but not limited to visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights. Make sure you have access to an extra US$500 for emergencies (e.g. severe weather, natural disasters, civil unrest) or other events that result in unavoidable changes to the itinerary (e.g. transport strikes or cancellations, airport closures). Sometimes these things necessitate last-minute changes to enable our trips to continue to run, and as a result, there may be some extra costs involved. The recommended amount is listed in USD for the relatability of universal travellers, however, local currency may be needed once in the country to cover these costs.

What to take

ESSENTIAL ITEMS
• Day-pack - with a thick waist strap to help take some weight off your shoulders. In wet weather, a waterproof cover or a bin bag to wrap your belongings in can be handy
• Shorts/long pants and shirts for walking - as many sets as you wish! Quick-dry material is best, especially for trousers. Don't wear jeans walking.
• Socks - whichever thickness you're comfortable walking in and as many pairs as you like
• Boots/shoes for walking (make sure you wear them in well - see note on footwear below)
• Windcheater or lightweight jumper for walking
• Waterproof jacket
• Beanie, gloves, fleece jacket for those cool nights
• Sun protection - hat (secure fitting and/or with chin strap), sun cream, sun glasses
• Casual clothes for evenings
• Torch/headlamp (can be handy when twin sharing for getting up at night)
• Any preferred first aid supplies - such as your favourite blister treatment! (Your guide will carry a full first-aid kit)
• Water bottle/s or camelback - 2 to 3 litre capacity
• A lunch container (with freezer brick if desired)
You have to expect some bad weather at any time of the year down here so bring wet weather gear
even if the forecast is fine.

OPTIONAL ITEMS
• Waterproof pants. Some people love them and some hate them - personally, we don't wear them but there have been times when we have wished for a pair!
• Fly net (especially for walks in warmer weather)
• Camera and charger/batteries
• Gaiters for snake bite protection are recommended unless you are wearing long pants and long socks. They're also good for keeping sand out of your shoes.
• Sock protectors (to keep sand out of your boots)
• Small towel to carry during the day
• Snacks and alcohol - there will be time to purchase more during the week if you need to. Some people like to have some muesli bars, nuts, lollies etc
• Walking poles

Climate and seasonal

Kangaroo Island has a Mediterranean climate: typically warm to hot dry summers (December-February) with very low humidity; and cool, mild winters (June-August). Spring (September-November) and autumn (March-May) are true shoulder seasons where days can be more like winter or summer or something in between!
• February: Average min 14 degrees / max 26 degrees
• March: Average min 12 degrees / max 23 degrees
• September: Average 7 degrees / max 15 degrees
• October: Average min 7 degrees / max 20 degrees
• November: Average min 9 degrees / max of 24 degrees
Please pack layers so that you can rug up when you need to and peel off when it gets a bit warmer.

A couple of rules

Intrepid won't tolerate any kind of violence, harassment (whether physical, verbal or sexual), or disrespect toward fellow travellers, our teams or local communities.

To ensure the wellbeing of everyone on the trip, decisions made by your group leader are final.

Romantic relationships between travellers and group leader or local representative are not permitted while on trip.

Any behaviour that prevents your leader from continuing the itinerary as planned, breaks local laws or opposes any of these guidelines may result in Intrepid denying your booking or removing you from the trip.

If something concerns you during your travels, please speak to your group leader immediately. Alternatively, you can contact us on the emergency contact number detailed in the Problems and Emergency Contact Information section of this Essential Trip Information.

Accommodation notes

Information not available.

Transport notes

Information not available.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative.

If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below:


https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services

AUSTRALIANS TRAVELLING DOMESTICALLY
Travel insurance will help ensure you’re protected in case of any unforeseen changes to your journey – such as flight cancellations or COVID-19 related disruptions. For this reason, we recommend you purchase comprehensive domestic travel insurance for your trip. This may not be something you would have typically done in the past when travelling domestically in Australia, but it does offer you a number of benefits in these dynamic times. While Australians and Australian Permanent Residents travelling within Australia are not required to be covered for hospital care due to being covered by Medicare, a comprehensive domestic travel insurance policy should cover you for expenses resulting from – among other things – COVID-19 related changes, including an outbreak in your destination or on your departure necessitating changes to your travel plans that incur additional costs. Domestic travel insurance plans may also include personal liability, cancellation, curtailment, loss of luggage and personal effects, and other benefits. It is also advisable that domestic travellers have current ambulance cover in the case of emergency evacuation or incidents requiring ambulance transportation. Please be sure to carefully check the policy’s inclusions with your preferred insurer.

Your fellow travellers

As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part. Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travellers booked on your trip prior to departure.

SOLO TRAVELLERS
On our trips, rooming is organised on a twin-share basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender, as per the gender marker on each of their passports.

We also offer an optional single supplement on most trips for travellers who prefer to have their own room. This only applies to accommodation during the tour. Pre-trip and post-trip accommodation booked through us will always be on a single-room basis.

On a small selection of trips some accommodation will be open-gender and multishare, such as a felucca in Egypt or an overnight train in Vietnam. Please review the Accommodation section of the Essential Trip Information for details about your trip.

LGBTQIA+ TRAVELLERS
We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. If your gender identity differs from what is indicated on your passport, please contact us so that we can discuss rooming options with you.

Itinerary disclaimer

ITINERARY CHANGES
Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns.