Best time of year to visit Kangaroo Island guide

The island is covered by stretches of rugged coastline, towering cliffs, distinctive rock formations and gorgeous white sandy beaches and is surprisingly diverse in both its geographic and wildlife offerings.

However, one of the most frequently asked questions for those planning to visit is, when is the best time of the year to visit Kangaroo Island?

In order to answer this question, we blended our experience with the knowledge of various tourism and travel authorities. The common consensus was that, while there is no true best season for visiting Kangaroo Island as each individual season offers something different that helps to cater to each visitor's taste, the winter season is, somewhat surprisingly, ranked at the top.

So what makes Kangaroo Island in winter so special?

It all starts with the costs as Kangaroo Island is usually an expensive destination to visit, especially when factoring in the prices of transport to and from the island and accommodation for overnight stays.

Given Kangaroo Island's sheer size and attractions, staying at least one, if not two, nights is highly recommended and winter helps keep the sometimes-exorbitant prices of staying on the island much more manageable.

Travelling in the off-peak season also leads to lower overall visitor numbers, which adds to the feeling of peace and solitude that can be had at any number of places on KI.

In addition, those who are visiting KI to see wildlife, winter is the best choice as the newborn kangaroos, koalas and wallabies typically use this season to emerge from their mother's pouches.

Bear in mind, that while the scenery in winter is at its most spectacular, the temperatures can get to be quite cold. Kangaroo Island is fairly exposed to the elements, and with the next closest land mass being Antarctica, this is more than understandable.

The wind is typically the largest factor here, so bringing protective jackets becomes paramount.

Perhaps the most iconic animals that can be found in and around Kangaroo Island (other than the kangaroos, of course) are the local colonies of fur seals and sea lions. These wild animals gather in massive groups and laze on the rocks along the shoreline, attempting to soak up the sunshine in order to keep warm between diving in to find some food.

The rivers of Kangaroo Island are also typically flowing in full force during the winter months and those with keen eyes will often be able to spot Southern Right Whales breaching off the shoreline.

Top recommended destinations on the island include the Flinders Chase National Park and Seal Bay Conservation Park, which can both be visited with a day tour. Day tours are ideal if you're operating on a limited amount of time.

Temperatures during winter on Kangaroo Island typically hover around a minimum of 8ºC (46ºF) and a maximum of 15º C (59ºF). Bringing warm clothes such as a fleece-lined jacket or other similar ski-style equipment is a solid investment.

In all, there are few destinations in Australia that can boast the blend of a remarkable calmness, beautiful landscapes, wonderful wildlife and incredibly down-to-earth people quite like Kangaroo Island can.

Don't dismiss this wonderful destination in the winter season as you'll not only save yourself a substantial amount of money but also be able to have the luxury of sharing its many wonders with few other people.

Depending on how much time you're in the surrounding region will determine how many days you visit Kangaroo Island for. With 509km of coastline and a diameter of 155km and with numerous wildlife havens dotted at various points throughout its coastline it's highly recommended you extend your visit to at least two days.

Though a one-day trip is possible, you might find you're pressed for time to see and do everything on the island.

The common recommendation is that two days on Kangaroo Island is ideal. You'll be able to visit the majority of attractions and avoid paying for an extra night of accommodation, while any longer and you may find yourself fatigued from exploration.

Some will say that you can experience the majority of wildlife on KI at various other locations throughout Australia. However, there are few other destinations that bring them all together into a single location.

The combination of remoteness and beauty makes Kangaroo Island one of the prime locations in the country to view native wildlife in their natural habitat.