The largest town on Kangaroo Island, Kingscote is also the island’s commercial and business hub. It is situated on the northeast corner of the island on the coast of Nepean Bay and has an extensive selection of cafés, restaurants and shopping facilities.
The town is surrounded by hills and cliffs that descend down to Reeves Point (Old Kingscote), which is one of South Australia’s most important heritage sites.
The first European settlers to come to South Australia migrated here and the area features paths with monuments, such as an old mulberry tree, the old jetty, the island’s first well and the old post office.
It is also a great place for a picnic, complete with tables and chairs, a playground, barbies and toilets.
On the north end of the town is the historical Hope Cottage Folk Museum that is run by the National Trust.
The house was built in the 1850s and today it is one of the oldest homes on the island. It is surrounded by buildings that feature exhibits depicting the history of Kangaroo Island.
The Kangaroo Island Art Gallery sits in the centre of Kingscote and showcases a beautiful selection of diverse local art.
All work displayed here was done by members of the Kangaroo Island Art Society and visitors can view and even purchase much of the artwork, which includes jewellery, painting, photography, glasswork and woodcraft.
Just north of Kingscote at the mouth of Nepean Bay is Busby Islet and the Busby Islet Conservation Park; a small nature reserve.
The park makes up for the entire 17 hectare island and is home to Little Penguin, Australian Pelicans, Sooty Oystercatchers and numerous other bird species. The Busby Islet can be visited by getting a boat at the jetty.
Where to stay at Kingscote
Kingscote has a number of self-contained establishments ranging from hotels and motels, to seaside holiday homes and cottages – a perfect spot to explore Kangaroo Island.
Home On Torrens
From $226
Aurora Ozone Hotel
From $80
Kangaroo Island Holiday Village
From $93
Kangaroo Island Accommodation
From $100
Kirazz Holiday Homes
From $101
Kangaroo Island Seaside Inn
From $115
Kangaroo Island Seaview Motel
From $122
Lemontree Cottage Kingscote
From $145
Kangaroo Island Bayview Villas
From $148
Villas on the Bay Kingscote
From $180
KI Dragonfly Guesthouse
From $68
Kangaroo Island Cabins
From $68
The town is centrally located on the east of the island. Discover more great places to stay on Kangaroo Island and where to stay in Adelaide.
