The relatively small Kangaroo Island contains a large percentage of accommodation for its more than 140,000 annual visitors to stay during their holidays. The secluded Southern Ocean Lodge (pictured below) overlooking the remote Hanson Bay is one of the island’s only true luxury hotels, complete with a spa retreat and stunning southern ocean views.
Another clifftop establishment, the recently renovated Penneshaw Hotel, describes itself as the world’s only hotel where guests can see Australia as they enjoy a beer.
The outdoor dining area of this century-old hotel overlooks the Backstairs Passage.
Most other Kangaroo Island accommodation, like the many bed and breakfasts, are far more modest but no less unforgettable.
Where to stay on Kangaroo Island
The island boasts a large number of self-contained establishments ranging from seaside holiday homes to bushland cottages in the heart of the wilderness. The former lighthouse keepers’ cottages at some Kangaroo Island lighthouses have now become popular holiday homes.
Discover more great places to stay on Kangaroo Island below.
The Fig Tree B&B
From $42
Kangaroo Island Seafront
From $103
Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge
From $110
Birubi Holiday Homes Kangaroo Island
From $172
Resthaven Retreat Kangaroo Island
From $180
Sunrise on Falie Court
From $214
Ecopia Retreat
From $515
StowAway Kangaroo Island
From $528
Aurora Ozone Hotel
From $86
Kangaroo Island Seaview Motel
From $96
Parndana Hotel Cabins
From $97
Kangaroo Island Seaside Inn
From $104
Lemontree Cottage Kingscote
From $105
Emu Bay Holiday Homes
From $113
Kangaroo Island Accommodation
From $114
Lindsays of Kangaroo Island
From $119
The Anchorage American River
From $121
Kangaroo Island Coastal Villas
From $125
Wintersun Holiday Cottages
From $145
Kangaroo Island Bayview Villas
From $147
Trading Places
From $162
Bayview Beach House Apartment No 2
From $163
Villas on the Bay Kingscote
From $173
Gilligan's Kangaroo Island
From $181
Blakeney Holiday House
From $199
Penneshaw Oceanview Apartments
From $222
Koopalanda Dreaming
From $392
KI Dragonfly Guesthouse
From $76
Kangaroo Island Cabins
From $95
Rumah Pantai
From $188
Emu Bay Stay
From $198
Seas The Day Emu Bay
From $206
Accommodation on the Island
Visitors to Kangaroo Island can also stay at an isolated wilderness retreat or a sheep and cattle farm at Flinders Chase National Park. The working Flinders Chase Farm includes an en-suite lodge, cabins, and hostel for budget backpackers.
Another affordable backpackers’ hostel is located just a three minute walk from a penguin colony in Kingscote, which also contains the island’s largest selection of family hotels and motels.
Bush camping may not be allowed on Kangaroo Island, but visitors are welcome to spend their nights beneath the stars at the recently refurbished American River and Vivonne Bay campgrounds.
Both of these council run campgrounds contain unpowered and powered sites, while a more rustic Browns Beach campground has only unpowered sites.
