Kangaroo Island is synonymous with Australian animals. I mean, it literally has KANGAROO in the name! But even if you’ve grown up in Australia & are used to seeing our animals, there is still something super exciting about spotting a kangaroo or koala or seeing some cool birds that you don’t get to see everyday. You can’t go to Kangaroo Island without having at least one or two animals encounters & we all know that kids get beyond excited when it comes to animal fun. Here are some of the spots around the Island to have the best fur, scales & feather experiences.
- Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park
Almost smack bang in the middle of the Island, you’ll find Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park . There are over 600 animals with everything from dingoes, wallabies, penguins, pelicans, reptiles, koalas & of course, kangaroos. You can wander the park, watch one of the Keeper Animal Presentations or even book a cuddle with a koala! Since the KI Bushfires in January 2020, the Park is also home to the Kangaroo Island Koala and Wildlife Rescue Centre, so the kids will also have a chance to learn about animal rescue. - Seal Bay
We love Seal Bay so much, we have written a whole article about it – check it out here. You can stroll the 900m return pram friendly boardwalk or book a guided tour to see the endangered sea lions & learn more about their behaviour & habitat. Make sure you also have a look around the Visitor Centre for some educational fun!
3. Raptor Domain
Raptor Domain is a Conservation Centre – their staff are passionate about the protection & conservation of birds. Their daily shows are not only entertaining, they also educate visitors on the importance of research, rescue & rehabilitation. You’ll meet an array of birds from kookaburras, cockatoos & barn owls, through to impressive wedge tailed eagles & black kites. There is also a reptile show which the kids will love just as much, including lizards, pythons & an assortment of creepy crawlies.
4. American River
Take a stroll around American River on the western shore of Eastern Cove & see wallabies, black cockatoos, pelicans, swans, possums & more in their natural habitat. There is a BBQ area & multiple cafes in the area. Every second morning, the staff from the Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge feed the pelicans around 9am. The American River Wharf is still a working wharf, so the kids can have a bit of insight into what goes on. For best animal activity viewing, head over at sunset or sunrise.
You might also be interested in
-
Hand feed Giant Pandas, Wang Wang and Fu Ni, get up close to meerkats as they run across your lap in search of treats, help feed the Little Penguins or experience a day in the life of a Zoo Keeper… plus so much more! Get within a whisker of some of the world’s most awe-inspiring animals with a behind the scenes Animal Experience at Adelaide Zoo. With a wide range of experiences available for all ages and budgets, there’s something for everyone. After your Animal Experience, don't forget to visit the Variety Children's Zoo and the Nature Playground. Plus, if your kids really can't get enough Zoo fun, consider enrolling them into A To Zoo sessions for pre-schoolers. Book your tickets or purchase a gift voucher online today and discover more experiences atwww.adelaidezoo.com.au/animal-experiences
-
Hand feed a ginormous giraffe, help put the lions to bed or even tickle a rhino behind the ears…there are so many amazing animal experiences available for everyone at Monarto Safari Park. With a wide range of experiences available for all ages and budgets, including the Lions 360 Experience there’s something for everyone, especially the kids! Book your tickets, purchase a gift voucher or discover more Monarto Safari Park Animal Experiences at: www.monartosafari.com.au/animal-experiences
-
The Remarkable Rocks certainly live up to their name! Flinders Chase National Park is located 110km west of Kingscote, on Kangaroo Island. Follow the Playford and West End Highways or the South Coast Road. You will find an array of experiences to enjoy with the family, including lookouts, bushwalks, camping, wildlife spotting and whale watching. Five amazing experiences at this park: 1. On a clear night find somewhere around your campsite to watch the night sky for shooting stars and spot constellations such as the Southern Cross, the Saucepan, Orion’s Belt or the Milky Way 2. Paddle your feet in the water at West Bay and stroll along the shoreline to see what nature treasure has washed up on the sand (swimming is not recommended as the Southern Ocean can be very unpredictable). Keep an eye out for the threatened hooded plover who make their home on the sand. 3.Walk the Weirs Cove Hike (3km / 1hr return) through to Cape du Couedic and enjoy the views of Remarkable Rocks, lighthouse heritage, the Casuarina Islets and the Western KI Marine Park. 4.Before the sun sets head to Remarkable Rocks and watch the changing colours of the sky and rocks. 5.Head…
