Flinders Chase National Park

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 to Admirals Arch and see how many seal pups can you see. You’ll need to look closely as they camouflage against the rocks.

Camping Options

Revel in the wilderness of Flinders Chase by camping under the stars at one of four secluded campgrounds available. Do not forget your marshmallows and that is half price for the month of October!

Campsites need to be booked prior to arrival.

Rocky River campground (22 sites)

Suitable for: tents, camper trailers, camper vans, caravans and motorhomes

Facilities: toilets, hot showers, water (non-potable), gas barbecues and picnic shelters

A great base from which to explore the highlights at the western end of Kangaroo Island. Set up camp among the eucalypt saplings, just a short walk from the Visitor Centre. 

Harvey’s Return campground (8 sites)

Suitable for: tents, camper trailers and camper vans

Facilities: toilets and picnic area

This campground is the old landing site for the light station and is near the historic light keepers’ cemetery. Cape Borda Lighthouse is within walking distance.

Snake Lagoon campground (8 sites)

Suitable for: tents, camper trailers and camper vans

Facilities: toilets and picnic area

This campground is located 9km from the Visitor Centre and is the starting point for the Snake Lagoon Hike. The hike leads to the river mouth where you can enjoy impressive views of the Southern Ocean. The campground is set on the banks of a now-dry lagoon and is also the end point of the Rocky River Hike, which starts at the Flinders Chase Visitor Centre and explores the many riparian (river bank) communities.

What can I do at Flinders Chase National Park?

Mountain Biking

You can ride your bike on roads open to the public. All walking trails within the park are for pedestrians only.

Wildlife

In Flinders Chase National Park you can see a range of wildlife.   The park is also a haven for a diversity of woodland birds, many of which are declining on the mainland. Look for the bold colours of scarlet robins and golden whistlers. Listen for the rare western whipbird and fan-tailed cuckoo. Scan the coast during Winter and Spring for migrating whales or observe the resident fur seals all year round from an easy vantage point at Cape du Couedic.

Bushwalking

Kangaroo Island’s rugged coastline offers keen bushwalkers spectacular coastal scenery, pristine rivers, tracts of undisturbed native vegetation and opportunities to observe abundant and diverse wildlife. Most of the coast is very isolated and provides trekkers with a true wilderness experience. The trails cater for all levels of fitness and adventure and our classification system makes it easy to select an experience suitable for you.

Whale Watching

Between mid-May and late October whales migrate from sub-Antarctic water to the comparatively warmer waters of the South Australian coast to calve and mate.  While the whale visitors are mostly southern right whales, we also have sightings of sperm whales, humpbacks, blue whales and the occasional orca. 

Flinders Chase National Park and Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area offer ideal vantage points to see these majestic creatures.  If you are visiting during whale season, keep an extra keen eye on the ocean at these following places

• Cape du Couedic Lookout, Flinders Chase National Park
• Weirs Cove Lookout, Flinders Chase National Park
• Admirals Arch Lookout, Flinders Chase National Park
• Cape Borda Lightstation, Flinders Chase National Park
• Scott Cove Lookout, Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area

For more information through National Parks, check here.