A Kangaroo Island accommodation go-to guide

Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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Romance, nature, seclusion or a home away from home – there is an accommodation to suit all types of holidaymakers on Kangaroo Island.

The allure of its multi-hued beauty, preserved natural landscapes and abundance of seasonal produce is well documented, but Kangaroo Island is also home to a number of first-rate accommodation options – offering everything from luxury accommodation to beautiful camping spots. Start planning your escape to South Australia’s most prized island paradise by selecting from our pick of the best accommodation on Kangaroo Island.

Hotels and resorts

Kangaroo Island Seaview Motel

Best for: location, location, location

Marvellous views come standard with every room at the Kangaroo Island Seaview Motel .

Modern wooden dining table at Kangaroo Island Seaview Motel
Seaviews are a given at this stunning motel. (Image: Kangaroo Island Seaview Motel)

Situated in the town centre and spanning a whole corner block, the Seaview delivers on all the conveniences of its central location while still providing guests with a tranquil escape.

The iconic motel was the first to open on Kangaroo Island, but they’ve expanded the accommodation offering in recent years to also include an ocean-view suite and two-bedroom apartment for travellers in search of a little more luxury than a standard motel.

Art hangs above the bed on the sage coloured wall.
Seaview was the first motel on the island. (Image: Kangaroo Island Seaview Motel)

Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge

Best for: peace and serenity

Tucked away on the eastern side of the island is the Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge . The tranquil setting provides plenty of opportunities for guests to unwind, watch the sunset over the calm waters of the American River and relax to the soothing sounds of nature.

The Mercure offers a more secluded, relaxed accommodation option for those looking to avoid crowds. There are 38 well-appointed guest rooms of various sizes – most of which feature exceptional waterfront views.

The property’s award-winning fine dining offering, Reflections Restaurant, is an excellent place to dine for an evening. The venue won Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award in 2020 and 2021 and continues to deliver on both taste and quality.

There is an abundance of birdlife and wildlife to encounter, including tammar wallabies, black cockatoos, and brush-tailed possums – and you can feed the local pelicans each morning with the whiting scraps from the restaurant. Or explore the coastal scrub and curious wildlife along two of the main walking tracks, the Independence Trail or the Fish Cannery walk.

The Mercure Kangaroo Island
The Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge offers a more secluded, relaxed accommodation option.

Adagio Retreat

Best for: those who want to slow it right down

Adagio ’s beachfront-meets-bush location provides the perfect backdrop for a holiday that offers easy access to Island Beach, plenty of coastal and bushwalking opportunities and abundant wildlife encounters.

The modern B&B accommodates two people and includes traditional breakfast, access to a barbeque, a balcony with 180-degree-views of Island Beach, an independent entrance for guests – and the option of a tailored itinerary.

Adagio Bed and Breakfast
Slow down at Adagio Retreat.

Luxury accommodation

Southern Ocean Lodge

Best for: the ultimate Kangaroo Island stay

The new-look Southern Ocean Lodge opened in December 2023, four years after the original iteration of the iconic nature-based luxury lodge was razed to the ground during the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires.

sunrise views over Southern Ocean Lodge
Southern Ocean Lodge is dramatically situated high above the Southern Ocean. (Image: George Apostolidis)

Back and better than ever, SOL 2.0 is perched on a clifftop overlooking the wild Southern Ocean, with 25 exquisite suites – including the ultra-luxe Baillie Pavilion – poised to make the most of those windswept views. Or soak it all in from the heart of the lodge, the Great Room, with a glass of KI wine in hand.

the Great Room at Southern Ocean Lodge
The Great Room remains the heart of the lodge.

A founding member of Luxury Lodges of Australia , Southern Ocean Lodge is all about experiential luxury: designed to immerse guests in the surrounding nature, as well as the community of Kangaroo Island.

Read our take on the stunning rebuild here.

 

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Hamilton & Dune

Best for: modern luxury

If this luxury Kangaroo Island accommodation option isn’t already on your radar, Hamilton & Dune’s duo of exclusive lodges overlooking Emu Bay are about to go straight to the top of your wish list.

Woman showering in outdoor shower overlooking the ocean at Hamilton & Dune Kangaroo Island.
Shower with a view at Hamilton & Dune. (Image: Sarah Byden & Vinnie Preston)

Choose between the architecturally designed Dune House, a chic, private three-bedroom property that boasts direct beach access and a sunken living room with a wood fire and a breathtaking backdrop of uninterrupted ocean views; or the homier, yet equally impressive, Hamilton House, which is perfectly sized to cater to larger groups or families with spectacular ocean views and a large deck for entertaining.

Dune House with the wood fire in the centre of the living room.
Cosy up by the fire at Dune House. (Image: Hamilton & Dune)

There are additional experiences to book in advance of your stay, including an in-house massage or yoga session, an in-house chef, food delivery service, a beach picnic experience and more.

Couple sit next to the fire at Hamilton & Dune.
Hamilton & Dune take luxury to the next level. (Image: Sarah Byden & Vinnie Preston)

Stowaway self-contained cottages

Best for: panoramic views

Stowaway is for those who allow aesthetically designed properties to influence their booking decisions. From the beauty of the surrounding natural landscape to the lush furnishings, scenic reading nooks, fireplace, free-standing bath, neutral tones and wooden floorboards within the property – you’ll be hooked.

Stowaway Kangaroo Island's scenic reading nook.
Read your afternoons away in the reading nook. (Image Nadinne Grace Photography)

The four self-contained properties – The Nest, The Sleepy Hollow, The Snug and The Hide – are tucked away on the corner of a family farm on the north coast of the island near Stokes Bay. All properties feature panoramic views of the native bushland and ocean, as well as plenty of opportunities to admire flora and fauna in the Lathami Conservation Park it butts up against – including the rare Glossy Black Cockatoo if you’re lucky.

Large green plant sits beside a double vanity at Stowaway Kangaroo Island.
The property’s aesthetic design will have you swooning. (Image Nadinne Grace Photography)

Spend your days immersed in the rugged beauty of the island, take a dip in the pristine waters of Stokes Bay, and taste the locally sourced food and exceptional wine that the region is renowned for.

Panorama of Stowaway Kangaroo Island.
Take in the panoramic views from Stowaway. (Image Nadinne Grace Photography)

Sky House

Best for: honeymooners or romantic getaways

Spend your stay on Kangaroo Island perched on a cliff overlooking Snellings Beach inside the exquisite Sky House (formerly LifeTime Private Retreats). The luxurious rammed-earth villa sleeps six, but you’ll want this one all to yourselves.

Woman reading book on the bed at The Cliff House on Kangaroo Island.
The Cliff House is luxury in a nutshell. (Image: Melissa Koh)

Boasting a number of romantic features, including a master bedroom fashioned inside a circular tower with panoramic views of the Southern Sea, a cushioned sunken pit with open fire, an outdoor cliff-edge Jacuzzi and a nearby helicopter pad for those romantic scenic flights you’re bound to book.

Woman drinking wine in the jacuzzi by the cliff.
Relax in the cliffside jacuzzi. (Image: Kane Overall)

The addition of a fully equipped kitchen keeps things simple and convenient for those not wanting to venture far, or opt to cook up some of that famous South Australian produce on the barbecue.

Food on the table at The Cliff House overlooking the ocean.
Cook up a feast with a view at Sky House. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

 

Ecopia Retreat

Best for: eco luxury

Set within 60 hectares of pure nature in a private wildlife sanctuary, Ecopia Retreat offers off-grid luxury with plenty of heart.

Choose to sleep in one of two rammed-earth eco villas, loft-style two-bedroom The Rise, or three-bedroom home, the Ecopia Residence.

A couple watches the sun set from the deck ar Ecopia Retreat on Kangaroo Island
Ecopia Retreat is an off-grid luxury stay on a private wildlife sanctuary. (Image: Tourism Australia/South Australian Tourism Commission)

Want more in the way of accommodation with all the trimmings? We’ve lined up Kangaroo Island’s most luxurious stays here.

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Holiday home accommodation

Antechamber Bay Retreats

Best for: nature lovers

A stay in one of the three self-contained properties at Antechamber Bay Retreats is a fully immersive experience of Kangaroo Island’s most coveted natural treasures.

Antechamber Bay Retreats bedroom with a view.
Antechamber Bay Retreats has two distinctive cottages: Nat’s and The Kona.

The three distinctive cottages – Nat’s (four bedrooms), The Kona (three bedrooms) and Shylie’s Retreat (one bedroom) – are located on Creek Bay, the oldest continuous farming estate in South Australia. Each property rewards its guests with dramatic ocean vistas, expansive views of native bushland and four kilometres of unspoilt white-sand beach to explore.

Watch the wildlife at dawn and dusk, cook a barbecue on the verandah or book the in-house catering option in advance of your stay for a little extra guaranteed downtime.

Aerial view of Antechamber Bay Retreats and the view of the ocean.
Each property has dramatic ocean views.

Airbnb stays

Airbnb properties on Kangaroo Island are giving hotel rooms a run for their money. Here is a selection that far exceeds expectations when it comes to the humble homestay.

Best for: Those who want it all

Want more options? We’ve lined up of the best Airbnbs to check out on Kangaroo Island here.

Caravan parks and camping

Are you one of those who want to wake up every day to a different view (and after a cheap accommodation on Kangaroo Island!)? Look no further than the island’s incredible campsites. When nature is the star attraction, it’s no wonder that so many campgrounds have popped up around KI.

Vivonne Bay Campground

Best for: Those who want to stay next to one of Kangaroo Island’s prettiest beaches

Stay a stone’s throw from one of Australia’s best beaches. The campground is accessible for caravans and has both powered and unpowered campsites and is one of the three council campsites to have showers available. It is just up the road from the famous Vivonne Bay General Store , with its equally famous whiting burger (one of the best things to eat on Kangaroo Island).

Costs range from $23 per night for two people at an unpowered site at this council-run campground. It is also pet-friendly, so no need to leave the dog at home.

Woman sits on cliff face overlooking Vivonne Bay.
Camping at Vivonne Bay puts you in the heart of everything. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Kangaroo Island Seafront Holiday Park

Best for: Those who like their camping with a touch of affordable luxury

Only 300m away from the SeaLink Ferry , the Kangaroo Island Seafront Holiday Park has incredible views over Hog Bay Beach. Settle in to enjoy them at one of the caravan parks glamping eco-luxury tents, oceanview villas or from a powered or unpowered campsite.

Couple sit at a table in front of glamping tent at Kangaroo Island Seafront Holiday Park.
Where camping meets luxury. (Image: Kangaroo Island Seafront Holiday Park)

Browns Beach Campground

Best for: Those who want an adventure with the family

With unpowered sites only, Browns Beach Campground overlooks the family-friendly beach located on the north coast of the island. Being just 15 minutes’ drive from Penneshaw, it’s no hassle to duck back into town if you need any further supplies – or a bottle from one of Kangaroo Island’s best wineries.

An accommodation overlooking the Browns Beach.
Stay overlooking the family-friendly Browns Beach. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)
Check out our Kangaroo Island guide for more on what to see and do while you’re there.
Kate Bettes
Kate Bettes is a freelance travel writer. Whether having a picnic in Vietnamese jungle with new friends, or partying in the back of a limousine in Hollywood, Kate’s experiences have left her with the sneaking suspicion that the best travel memories happen when you least expect. It’s this feeling - and how to get it - that she loves to write about.
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Ecopia Retreat, Kangaroo Island, Australia
Kangaroo Island

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The tastiest new players on Newcastle’s dining scene you need to try

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.

    When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle ). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.

    aerial of Nobbys beach in newcastle nsw
    Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)

    Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.

    1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle

    pastries next to a pastry box from crumb cafe in newcastle
    Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)

    Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB,  the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.

    Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.

    Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe .

    2. Destination dining

    Blanca resuarant in newcastle nsw
    Step inside Mediterranean-inspired eatery, Blanca. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca , which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.

    One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie , the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.

    Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.

    3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks

    people swimming at Newcastle Ocean Baths
    Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)

    What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?

    Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach . Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen , which is open from 6am.

    Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse .

    You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach , where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.

    Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.

    4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle

    couple eating at Flotilla newcastle
    Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)

    In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.

    Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.

    Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.

    5. Newcastle nightlife

    Bartholomew's small bar in newcastle nsw
    Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)

    As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.

    If a small bar in a grand old building is more your style, check out Roxanne , Bar Mellow and Bartholomew’s .

    Start planning your Newcastle culinary coastal getaway this summer at visitnewcastle.com.au.