Venture to South Australia’s rugged Kangaroo Island for an unforgettable four-day journey on foot. The Kangaroo Island Signature Walk traces the most spectacular sections of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail, a 46-kilometre coastal route through Flinders Chase National Park that encompasses everything from crashing coastlines and rainforest to beaches and rocky headlands.
Whether fossil-rich forests and platypus waterholes or jaw-dropping landmarks like Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks, each day reveals the diverse ecology and striking geology of the island’s remote southwest.
Wildlife abounds, you might spot sea lions basking near the surf, wallabies grazing at dusk or the elusive echidna meandering through bushland. What makes this walk truly special, however, is where you end each day. Guests stay at Cape du Couedic Cottages, three beautifully restored, heritage-listed lighthouse keepers’ quarters dating back to 1907.
These stone-built cottages are perched atop a cliff, a short walk from Admirals Arch, and are exclusively accessible to walk participants. After full days on the trail, return to chef-prepared meals, warming fires and the glow of Kangaroo Island’s sparkling wines. Carrying only a lightweight daypack and walking with expert guides, this experience combines exceptional hospitality, coastal adventure and meaningful interpretation of the landscape.
It’s not just a walk, it’s an immersion in nature, history and sustainability, designed for those seeking peace, reconnection and wild beauty.
Exclusive Accommodation
Each night is spent in the only accommodation located within Flinders Chase National Park: the historic Cape du Couedic Lightkeeper Cottages. Built from hand-carved limestone in 1907, these heritage-listed homes once sheltered lighthouse keepers watching over this rugged coastline. Today, they’ve been thoughtfully restored into warm, twin-share retreats with modern bathrooms and shared living areas.
Guests unwind in the Wickies Lounge, a communal pavilion where the team prepares delicious three-course meals using the best of Kangaroo Island’s produce. Think freshly shucked oysters, King George whiting, garden vegetables and South Australia’s finest beer, wine and gin. Evenings are spent around the fire, enjoying tales, tastings and the salty breeze off the Southern Ocean. This blend of wilderness and comfort is at the heart of the Signature Walk experience.
Committed to the Environment
The Kangaroo Island Signature Walk is proudly 100 per cent carbon neutral. As part of the Tasmanian Walking Company family, this walk reflects nearly 40 years of dedication to low-impact tourism. From rainwater-fed facilities and low-energy design to locally sourced food, the experience treads lightly on the land.
Each guided departure helps fund the upkeep and conservation of the historic Cape du Couedic Cottages, which now serve as immersive eco-accommodation. Food is sourced from island producers and served with zero food miles in mind: The Islander Estate sparkling wine, Kangaroo Island Spirits gin and local oysters all feature proudly.
Guides educate guests on Leave No Trace principles and the cultural heritage of the land. And the company holds Advanced Ecotourism Certification and operates under a 30-year commercial lease that aligns tourism with conservation in Flinders Chase National Park.
What is Provided
- Return transfers between Adelaide and Kangaroo Island, including ferry crossings
- Accommodation at Cape du Couedic Cottages
- All meals, non-alcoholic drinks, plus select local beer, wine and gin
- Two professional wilderness guides for the duration of the walk
- National Park Pass
- Lightweight daypack and Gore-Tex rain jacket (loaned)
- Toiletries, cutlery, lunch container
- Full gear check and safety briefing
- Daily trail interpretation, flora/fauna spotting and guided storytelling
What to Bring
- Worn-in hiking boots
- Merino or synthetic base layers and walking shirts
- Thermal layers, fleece or wool jumper
- Warm change of clothes for evenings
- Waterproof overpants and optional gaiters
- Beanie, gloves and sun hat
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent
- Head torch or small flashlight
- 2L water bottle or hydration bladder
- Travel mug for hot drinks
- Bathers and small towel (optional swim)
Walk Overview
- Accessed via Adelaide, SA
- Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
- Distance: 46km
- Grade: Moderate
- Walk operates: September - December, February - May
- Beach and coastal track with optional climbs
- Group size: Max 14
- Av. Km per day: 6 - 15km
- Rates: From AUD $2,995 per person (single supplement available)
Reviews
Very comfortable accommodation and great locally sourced food. The guides were knowledgeable about the island and its habitat. The pre-trip documentation was detailed and left nothing for guess work. The walks and everything lived up to what was promised. The level of service we received was first rate and this was one of the highlights of our Australian holiday.
Hazel T – Switzerland
Elevation Graph
This graph loosely depicts the gradient of the track, providing you with some basic understanding of how challenging the walk will be. The graphs are useful in helping you decide which walk suits you best. Whatever your ability or fitness, there’s sure to be a walk that suits you in the Great Walks of Australia collection.
* Elevations are indicative only and are not to scale. Walkers should contact individual walk companies to better understand the terrain and difficulty of each walk.
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Walk Itinerary
- Day 1 Coach and ferry to Kangaroo Island, hike towards Platypus Waterholes. Walking distance 6km (approx. 3 hours) Depart Adelaide early for the journey south to Cape Jervis, where you’ll board the ferry to Kangaroo Island. On arrival, travel to Flinders Chase National Park and begin your walk towards Platypus Waterholes. Learn about the Gondwana supercontinent and keep your eyes peeled for birdlife or the elusive platypus in creeks. Enjoy a secluded lunch before arriving at the Cape du Couedic Cottages – your base for the next three nights. Explore Admirals Arch and the resident fur seal colony. Unwind in the Wickies Lounge with a barbecue and a glass of local wine as the sun sets over the Southern Ocean.
- Day 2 Snake Lagoon to Cape du Couedic. Walking distance 15km (approx. 7-8 hours) Start at Snake Lagoon and follow the Rocky River through eucalypt forest to Maupertuis Bay. Walk 2km along the wild, windswept beach, tracing shipwreck history at Loch Sloy. Climb limestone cliffs with panoramic views before returning to the lighthouse cottages. Enjoy a fireside foot spa and drinks beneath the stars.
- Day 3 Remarkable Rocks to Cape Younghusband plus Weirs Cove. Walking distance 15km (approx. 7-8 hours) Rise early for a visit to Remarkable Rocks, one of Kangaroo Island’s most iconic landmarks. These surreal granite formations, sculpted by wind and time, glow with orange lichen and offer sweeping ocean views—perfect for that unforgettable photo stop. Continue along the southern clifftops towards Sanderson Bay, following a spectacular coastal trail with uninterrupted views of the wild Southern Ocean. Enjoy a well-earned picnic lunch before choosing to relax on the beach or extend your walk towards Cape Younghusband for even more breathtaking vistas. Later, transfer to Weirs Cove, where a chilled drink, freshly shucked oysters, and stories shared by the sea await. Keep your eyes peeled for yellow-tailed black cockatoos, scarlet robins, and other native birdlife along the way. Return to Cape du Couedic Cottages for another evening of great company, local wine, and a delicious dinner celebrating Kangaroo Island’s fine produce.
- Day 4 Hanson Bay to Kelly Hill Caves. Walking distance 9km (approx. 4-5 hours) Begin the day with breakfast, then a short transfer to Hanson Bay, where you can enjoy a refreshing dip before setting off. Follow bushland trails past Grassdale Lagoons, home to woodland and wading birds, before finishing your journey at the Kelly Hill Caves. Celebrate your Great Walk with a final drink and toast to new friends before returning to Adelaide.
Yulara, NT 
