Kangaroo Island Lodge Walk *

Kangaroo Island Lodge Walk 

Nine thousand years ago, Kangaroo Island separated from mainland Australia forming a unique landscape of wild and raw beauty.  Spend four days walking this wild outpost, 20 kilometres off the South Australian coast.  Gondwandan megafauna, abundant wildlife, towering sea cliffs and broad sunsets with a glass of red in hand form part of your discovery along 58.5km of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail.  Our intimate groups of no more than 14 walkers will stay in architect-designed private accommodation with sumptuous meals prepared by your guides.

Be one of the first to experience this World Class trail with Kangaroo Island Lodge Walk when it launches in April 2020.  Trips depart ex. Adelaide, with return flights to Kingscote, Kangaroo Island included.

Day 1: Flinders Chase NP Visitor Centre to Sandy Creek Eco Lodge

Approximately 4.5 hours walking

Following your early morning short flight from Adelaide, we'll collect you from Kingscote Airport and transfer to our departure base in Cygnet River.  At the base, you'll be introduced to your fellow walkers and your host and two guides will run through a gear check and trip briefing before we set off to Flinders Chase National Park.

We depart from the Flinders Chase National Park Visitor Centre and right from your very first trail steps, we dive deep into the Gondwanan landscape.  It is here that the discovery of ancient megafauna and extinct wildlife was made - the likes of the Tasmanian tiger and the short-faced kangaroos.

We'll pass through a mix of scrubland and low lying country that follows the bed of Rocky River.  This area is known for its prolific birdlife and diverse flowering native plant species.  At Snake Lagoon we're surrounded by stands of the flowering Cup Gum Eucalypt.  We'll then track up onto the headland between Sandy Creek and Rocky River mouth, where our accommodation is nestled amongst wind-pruned vegetation.

Tonight, watch the sun sink over the sea as guides prepare a three-course meal. The locale, with views to Sandy Creek Beach, Cape du Couedic and the western coastline of Kangaroo Island is private and wild.  Drift to sleep in petite eco-pods surrounded by low lying coastal heath.

Day 2: Sandy Creek Eco Lodge To Cape du Couedic

Rise early, this is our longest walking day and the most remote section of our journey.  There are sections of high exposure to the prevailing westerly and south-westerly winds.  With this come exhilarating cliff-top seascapes.

Our first couple of kilometres this morning are back toward Rocky River, before weaving up through stands of coastal heath along the cliff line.  Kick off your boots for the next section; 1.5km of beach walking along Maupertuis Bay beach, carefully observing the tiny endangered Hooded Plovers who nest within the intertidal zone.  A short ascent leads up from the beach along the edge of spectacular limestone cliff formations.

Reaching Cape du Couedic, this is our home base for night two.  The historic Light Station, Lighthouse and Light Keeper residence provide a fascinating historical narrative and as such features as one of Kangaroo Island's iconic locations.  Opt to visit the nearby New Zealand Fur Seal Colony at Admirals Arch as a side-trip this afternoon or early tomorrow morning.

Tonight we'll settle into three heritage-listed Light Keeper residences, built from hand-carved limestone back in 1907.  Thoughtfully restored, these historic quarters feature twin-share rooms and sensitively designed new bathrooms.  Our communal pavilion - The Commons - is where we'll share good wine and a barbeque bounty featuring local Kangaroo Island sourced lamb.

Day 3: Cape du Couedic to Sanderson Bay Eco Lodge

If you didn’t pay a visit to the fur seals yesterday, early risers can wander down to Admirals Arch before a hearty breakfast. Today, we traverse the cliff top en route to Weir’s Cove historic site, encountering glimpses into the hardships of early lighthouse keeping life.

Our trail passes through low lying coastal heath and eucalypt forest to reach another iconic site - the spectacular granite formations of Remarkable Rocks. We then walk the cliff-hugging trail ahead, delivering unobstructed views along the southern coast of Kangaroo Island. The days walking concludes at Sanderson Bay where the Southern Ocean dumps huge waves across the shore. From here, we’ll take an obscured trail over a rise into the next cove where our last nights’ accommodation is discreetly tucked away.

After a day of epic coastline vistas, we’ll retire to camp lodgings nestled in an existing dune swale. With sweeping views out to the Southern Ocean, low coastal Mallee and a stand of Melaleucas provide protection from the sea breeze. Take the short access trail up for cliff edge views across the coast while guides busy themselves preparing your first course. Tonight, sleep soundly in your dune cocoon.

Day 4: Sanderson Bay Eco Lodge to Grassdale

Our last day of walking traverses the southern cliff edge, past Cape Younghusband, descending gradually into coastal eucalypt forest. Here, we use a clever human-powered punt to cross over the South West River, and out onto Hanson Bay where a swim or lunch can be enjoyed.

Come afternoon, the trail ventures through coastal heathland and low lying forest before turning inland towards Grassdale. This large open grassland and magnificent lagoon system support a bountiful number of Tammar Wallabies and other wildlife.

Our bus collects us from Grassdale for transfer back to Cygnet River Base where we celebrate with canapes and a glass of local wine among new friends. We’ll then deliver you to the airport for your return flight, or for those wishing to stay on, we will transfer you to your Kingscote accommodation.

 

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Kangaroo Island Lodge Walk

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