Day Trips
Explore the South Coast of Kangaroo Island
Click here to locate the most popular Kangaroo Island attractions on our Pinterest map.
The visual beauty of Kangaroo Island lies in its coastline, and the remote South Coast is home to most of the island's major attractions and national parks.
Serenity Cottage at Vivonne Bay is centrally located as a convenient base for day trips to Seal Bay, Little Sahara, Kelly Hill Caves, Hanson Bay, Flinders Chase, Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch - and is no more than 75 minutes drive to anywhere on the vast island.
Situated within a 5 minute stroll to both Vivonne Bay beach and Harriet River, Serenity Cottage is an ideal place from which to explore Kangaroo Island.
More information: www.tourkangarooisland.com.au
Seal Bay
Visitor information
Located 26 km (25 minutes drive south east) from Serenity Cottage, Vivonne Bay
Seal Bay is the only place in the world where you can see the Australian Sea Lion up so close, and one of the most popular visitor experiences on Kangaroo Island. Guided beach tours depart from the visitor centre throughout the day, or view the seals from the boardwalk on a self-guided tour. Just magic!
Flinders Chase National Park
Visitor information
Located 59 km (1 hours drive west)
from Serenity Cottage, Vivonne Bay
Flinders Chase National Park covers 33,000 hectares of Kangaroo Island's south west region and includes some stunning coastal and bush walks and breathtaking scenic views across the Southern Ocean.
The Flinders Chase Visitor Centre has a licensed cafe, interpretive centre and gift shop featuring local wine and produce as well as an extensive range of Kangaroo Island souvenirs, clothing and gifts.
You will need to stop at the visitor centre to purchase your day pass for the park. Be sure to attach your permit to your car windscreen to avoid a fine. Entry fees apply.
Head down the road towards the Cape du Couedic lighthouse and be sure to visit the iconic rock formations of Remarkable Rocks (giant granite monoliths sculpted by wind and waves) and Admirals Arch where a colony of New Zealand Fur Seals can be seen frollicking in the waves or basking on the rocks below.
Experience Australian flora and wildlife in a remote and pristine environment.
View gallery of images here
Flinders Chase Visitor Centre
© Serenity Cottage
Remarkable Rocks
The Chase Cafe
www.thechasecafe.com.au
Admirals Arch
New Zealand Fur Seals
Casuarina Islets at Cape du Couedic
Kelly Hill Caves
Visitor information
Located 26 km (approx. 25 minutes drive west) from Serenity Cottage, Vivonne Bay
Be sure to join one of the regular guided tours to discover Kelly Hill Caves' treasures of impressive stalagmites, stalactites, helictites and straws.
For the more adventurous - you can don a hard hat and overalls to crawl through the amazing caverns.
Sheltered picnic facilities with gas barbeques are located in the tranquil bush setting.
Drinks, snacks and souvenirs are also available.
Little Sahara
Visitor information
Located 8.5 km (approx. 15 minutes drive east) from Serenity Cottage, Vivonne Bay
Hire a sand board or toboggan from the Vivonne Bay General Store or KI Outdor Action and head over to the Little Sahara - a system of naturally occurring giant sand dunes. Covering approx. 2 square kilometres the dunes vay in size, with the highest dune approx. 70 metres above sea level.
When visiting this iconic site, take only photographs and leave only footprints (and sandboard tracks).
Raptor Domain
Visitor information
Located 15 km (approx. 20 minutes drive east) from Serenity Cottage, Vivonne Bay
The ultimate, educational, interactive, wildlife experience - suitable for the whole family.
Daily presentations include:
Birds of Prey - Put on a glove and have these amazing birds fly to you.
Fang-Tastic - Hold and learn about reptiles.
Venom Pit - Get up close in a safe environment with some of Australia's deadliest creatures.
Rustic Blue Gallery & Cafe
www.rusticblue.com.au
Located 8km (approx. 10 minutes drive west)
from Serenity Cottage, Vivonne Bay
Rustic Blue is a delightful place to pop in for lunch,
or coffee and cake. The gallery space and gift shop - a former shearing shed - displays contemporary art objects by local award-winning and emerging artists. Dine alfresco on the relaxed deck overlooking the garden and rolling countryside.
The 500 acre property is abundant in wildlife.
Book in for a nocturnal evening wildlife experience.
Note: Closed from mid May to mid Sept. Please check website for opening times.
Vivonne Bay Beach
Located 450m (5 minutes walk)
from Serenity Cottage at Vivonne Bay
When Sydney University evaluated 10,000 beaches across Australia (rating them on aspects such as water clarity, privacy and cleanliness), Kangaroo Island's Vivonne Bay came out on top. Vivonne Bay's long, curved, sandy beach is just a short 5 minute (450m) stroll from Serenity Cottage. Or you can drive to the car park on Bayview Road for easy beach access.
© Serenity Cottage
Vivonne Bay Jetty
Located on Jetty Road at Vivonne Bay - 6 km (10 minutes drive south west) from Serenity Cottage
On the other side of the Harriet River, the Vivonne Bay western headland, Point Ellen is home to a fleet of lobster boats. The turquoise water and rustic jetty are a photographer's delight.
Wildlife Dusk Tour
www.kioutdooraction.com.au
Located on Jetty Road at Vivonne Bay - 3km (5 minutes drive south west) from Serenity Cottage
KI Outdoor Action offers Quad Bike Guided Tours for both beginners and experienced riders. The best way to see an otherwise inaccessible part of Kangaroo Island. Their 'Wildlife Dusk Tour' guarantees you will see kangaroos up close in their natural environment – a highlight for anyone visiting the island.
Harriet River
www.kioutdooraction.com.au
Located on Jetty Road at Vivonne Bay - 3km
(5 minutes drive south west) from Serenity Cottage
Paddle up to five kilometres of the calm and meandering Harriet River with a variety of birds and other wildlife. Relax as you enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Single or Double Kayaks available for hire.
Hanson Bay (River Mouth)
Visitor Information
Located 32km (35 minutes drive south west)
from Serenity Cottage, Vivonne Bay
The river mouth of Hanson Bay is a delightful, sandy cove - with safe, shallow pools for swimming - protected on either side by rocky headlands..
The only public access to Hanson Bay is along a narrow, winding, unsealed road off the South Coast Road. There is a car park, water, toilet and sand boat ramp at the river mouth. Well worth a visit!
Hanson Bay
Wildlife Sanctuary
www.hansonbay.com.au
Located 35km (approx. 30 minutes drive west) from Serenity Cottage, Vivonne Bay
Take a fully guided 90 minute evening walk with an experienced tour guide. Opportunity to view Koalas, Tamar Wallabies, Kangaroos, Echidnas, Bats and Possums. Or by day, take the self-guided koala walk.
KI Wildlife Park
www.kiwildlifepark.com
Located 31km (Approx. 1 hours drive north)
from Serenity Cottage, Vivonne Bay
Cuddle a koala, feed a kangaroo or hold a snake!
Your chance to get up close and personal with a range of native Australian fauna and reptiles.
The Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park is open 9am to 5pm every day of the year - even Christmas Day!
Kangaroo Island Honey
Indulge your sweet tooth
Kangaroo Island has had a history of honey production for almost as long as it has been settled and is home to the unique Ligurian bees which produce some of the finest honey in Australia.
Clifford's Honey Farm
Island Beehive
KI Liquid Gold
Hog Bay Apiary
© Serenity Cottage
Please be aware that you cannot bring any honey or bee products
(bees wax candles etc) to Kangaroo Island due to quarantine regulations.