Kangaroo Island With Kids: Ages, Distances and the Days That Work

Ages, tour by tour

The distances are the hard part

Most families underestimate the driving. There is no public transport, taxi or rideshare on the island, so you either hire a car or join a tour. Seal Bay is 45 minutes from Kingscote, and the national park in the far west is about 110 km away. The Vivonne Bay activities are about about 90 minutes from the ferry at Penneshaw.

Two things help. Base yourself in the middle of the island rather than at the ferry, and split the far west from the south coast over two days. Mobile signal fades in the west, so download maps before you set out. The island map shows the drives between towns.

Getting across is simpler than it looks. The ferry from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw takes about 45 minutes, and the flight from Adelaide to Kingscote about 30 minutes. With toddlers, the flight saves the long drive to the ferry; with a hire car, the ferry lets you bring it. Getting there from Adelaide compares the two.

Short outings that suit small children

The best days with young children are short and full of animals. The koala walk near the dunes lasts just under two hours and promises a koala. Koichi_Y took a six-year-old son, and it was the perfect start to the trip. Bring your own snacks and water; neither is in the fare.

The buggy ride at Little Sahara is the easiest thrill on the island. It is stroller and wheelchair accessible, runs through gum forest to a quiet beach and over the dunes, and promises a koala too. Angela_N’s eight-year-old daughter loved it, and yyandamurra managed it easily in their late seventies. That makes it a good choice when grandparents come along.

The 75-minute boat from Penneshaw is short enough for toddlers, with baby harnesses on board. It cannot be refunded, so book it for a day you are sure of. Children who want to see kangaroos up close do best at dusk, when the animals come out to graze; the wildlife page explains when and where each one is easiest to find.

Older children: quads, bikes and the swim

From about nine, the island opens up. On the quad bikes, children drive their own machine from age 6 and ride as passengers from 4. Siew_M’s nine-year-old learned to ride on the day, and Susan_M’s children, aged 12 and 13, called it a highlight of the trip. The quad bike tours at Vivonne Bay have their own page with the routes and what to wear.

The electric fat bikes need a rider who can already ride a bike. Joanne_L rode with a granddaughter and loved the sand. Sacha_B found it harder than expected on a hot day, so save it for a cooler morning. The dolphin swim is recommended from nine, and children under 14 wear two wetsuits against the cold.

Full days with children

A guided day saves the driving. The full day by 4WD from Kingscote takes children from 4 at the child rate when they share the booking with two paying adults, and has infant seats. There are eight guests at most, and park entry and lunch are in the fare. It is still an eight-hour day, so it suits children who travel well.

Pack snacks and water for the car on every day. Morning and afternoon tea are in the fare on that 4WD day, but long drives between stops make children hungry.

One trip to rule out early: the two days from Adelaide sell places to adults aged 18 to 80 only. Families who want an overnight trip do better with a car and a tour on each day.

Beaches for a swim

Choose the north coast for swimming. Kangaroo Island Tourism says the north coast is generally safer, while the south coast has wild waves. Emu Bay has four kilometres of white sand and a safe swimming beach. Stokes Bay has rock pools that suit children.

• Emu Bay: a safe swimming beach with direct vehicle access.
• Stokes Bay: rock pools and moderate waves.
• The south coast: for looking, not swimming.

Pick a warm month for the beach: the weather page gives the air temperature and rain for every month.

Things to do covers each coast, and the sea lions are seen from a boardwalk; the visitor guide has the details.

A three-day plan with children

Kangaroo Island Tourism says three days gives you a small taste of the island, and with children that is about right. One simple way to split it:

• Day one, Penneshaw and Kingscote: the coastal boat after the ferry, then a night drive from Kingscote to see the wallabies and possums.
• Day two, the south coast: the koala walk or the buggy for younger children, the quad bikes for older ones, and the sea lion boardwalk on the way.
• Day three, the far west: a guided day by 4WD, or your own car with the tour pass, for the rocks, the arch and the fur seals.

Keep one afternoon free for a beach. Children remember the animals, but they also remember the day nobody had to get back in the car.

Park fees for a family

If you drive yourself, the parks charge entry. The Kangaroo Island Tour Pass covers a year of entry to the far-west park and the guided sea lion visit, among others. It costs A$57.00 for a child and A$262.00 for a family of two adults and two children, or one adult and three. The parks service says single fees can be cheaper if you only visit a couple of parks. Most full-day tours include park entry in the fare.

Tours that suit families

Small-Group Buggy Tour at Little Sahara with Guide

A guided buggy ride of just under two hours through gum forest, dunes and a quiet beach; wheelchair accessible.

From $105 per person (minimum 1)

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Koala Walking Tour in Kangaroo Island

A guided walk of just under two hours through old gum forest near the dunes, with a koala sighting promised.

From $55 per person (minimum 1)

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Full-Day Kangaroo Island Experience Departing from Kangaroo Island

A coach day with hotel pickup in Kingscote, American River or Penneshaw, lunch, the far west and a wildlife park.

From $154 per person (minimum 1)

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