Kangaroo Island, is a large island 110km south-west of Adelaide, South Australia. Many people call it Australia’s Galapagos as it is the habitat of so many kinds of native animals, birds and plants, some of which are found nowhere else in the world.
Almost half the Island is natural bushland, valued and protected by the local farming and town communities, where kangaroos and wallabies, echidnas, koalas and many other kinds of native animals and birds live and breed.
The climate of the Island is milder than that of Adelaide, with a summer daytime average of 25C and winter of 14 or 15C.
The Island coastline consists of white, sandy bays and beaches where often you will see no other human footprints but your own in the sand, and of rugged, rocky headlands or cliffs where waves travelling all the way from Antarctic break upon its southern shores; where you may find sealions, and fairy penguins, pelicans and many other kinds of sea birds as you sightsee.
On rare occasions in summer it may climb to 40 plus degrees, but more commonly during heatwave conditions will remain 2 to 10 degrees cooler than Adelaide. The coldest winter days will be the same or one or two degrees warmer than the city. Even in the hottest weather, the evening sea breeze can bring cooling relief, and it is always advisable to pack a jacket when visiting the Island.
Visitors and strangers are welcomed as friends, crime is almost non-existent, doors are frequently left unlocked, and keys in the ignition of parked cars.
Kangaroo Island has a fascinating history of explorers, runaway sailors, sealers and settlers, and was the site of the first European settlement in South Australia If you would like to read some of those tales of long ago adventures, watch out on our website for Lorraine’s stories as they are uploaded.
Although at 4350sq km Kangaroo Island is about 4 times the size of Hong Kong with its population of 7.5 million people, or twice the size of Tokyo with a population of 13 million, the Island has a population of only 4500 friendly people enjoying its peaceful lifestyle.
During holiday seasons there are often more tourists than locals, yet the Island never appears crowded. There’s plenty of room for everyone to relax and enjoy, and if desired the visitor can always find complete solitude on a quiet beach or in a tranquil bushland setting
We think it’s a wonderful place to call home!