hero media

The SA island named one of Australia’s top under-the-radar spots

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
Remote, rugged and on the rise – this is one of the country’s top hidden gems, as voted by you.

If there’s one thing Aussies do well, it’s celebrating local destinations that are pushing the envelope. And in our 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, you proved your impeccable taste once again. We asked you for the one destination that deserves a little more of the spotlight. Clearly, one South Australian gem stood out – and it’s not hard to see why.

Which SA island made the list?

Kangaroo Island, SA
The sea and the bush exist in peaceful harmony on Kangaroo Island. (Image: Frame)

It may only be 15 kilometres off the coast of South Australia, but Kangaroo Island feels a world away from anything. At just over 150 kilometres long and 55 kilometres wide, it’s a small but mighty sanctuary that lives and breathes the hyperlocal. Kangaroo Island is one of those deeply Australian places where the ocean and bush peacefully coexist, not just in close proximity, but in complete harmony.

It’s this gentle way of life, deeply rooted in the natural landscape, that captivated the island’s roughly 5000-strong population. It’s also what attracted over 180,000 visitors last year, a number the South Australian Tourism Commission expects to climb in 2025.

Kangaroo Island, SA
Kangaroo Island remains relatively untouched thanks to a sustainable ethos. (Image: As We Wander)

So, how has such a magical place managed to fly under the radar for so long? The answer is pretty simple – a sustainable ethos that respects the environment, paired with a conservationist mindset that aims to protect it for years to come. Visiting Kangaroo Island is all about treading lightly, with stays and experiences that blend low-impact and luxury in order to showcase the landscape, instead of competing with it.

Your guide to exploring Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island, SA
Take to the crystalline waters with Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari. (Image: Tourism Australia/South Australian Tourism Commission)

Kangaroo Island may be small in size, but it certainly isn’t lacking in things to see and do. In fact, you’ll be spoilt for choice. On the west coast, Flinders Chase National Park is a natural haven for wildlife.

It offers a rare glimpse into the lives of Kangaroo Island’s furred and feathered locals, from koalas, kangaroos, pigmy possums and penguins to a range of reptiles and over 260 bird species.

A baby seal on Kangaroo Island, SA
Kangaroo Island is home to a thriving colony of sea lions. (Image: Southern Ocean Lodge)

If you’d rather meet the residents of the sea, join a tour with Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari . The locally run business offers a range of experiences, from group snorkelling to private charters, where seals, sea lions, dolphins and turtles come out to play.

Prefer to take things a little slower? Spend an afternoon sampling local gin at Kangaroo Island Spirits , or pop into Kangaroo Island Brewery for a pint of beer brewed onsite. You can also taste your way through some of the island’s best restaurants – with menus that are inspired by the landscape and hero local ingredients.

Kangaroo Island Spirits on Kangaroo Island, SA
Sample gin infused with local ingredients and distilled on the island. (Image: Kangaroo Island Spirits)

Did you know that Kangaroo Island is also home to one of Australia’s most spectacular lavender farms? That’s right – head to the northern side of the island and you’ll find Emu Bay Lavender Farm , where you can purchase souvenirs like soap, lotion and oil, honey, jam and gin.

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

AI Prompt

Where to stay on Kangaroo Island

Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, SA
Southern Ocean Lodge is designed around 180-degree ocean views. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

While there’s an accommodation type to suit travellers of all budgets, Kangaroo Island offers some truly luxurious stays. Take the recently revamped Southern Ocean Lodge, which was meticulously restored following severe damage from the 2019-2020 Black Summer Bushfires.

Thanks to the dedication and determination of owners James and Hayley Baillie of Baillie Lodges , it reopened to the public in 2023. Guests can expect spacious suites, a day spa, wet-edge pool, walk-in wine cellar and uninterrupted ocean views – all futureproofed against fire.

Wander on Kangaroo Island, SA
Settle into your private outdoor tub overlooking Snelling Beach. (Image: Wander/Remy Brand Creative)

Or go off-grid at Wander on Kangaroo Island , a five-star stay that’ll have you feeling like the last person on Earth. Overlooking Snelling Beach, each WanderPod offers its own little pocket of private luxury. Your cosy cabin is complete with a fireplace, rainshower, outdoor bath and fully equipped kitchenette, plus some of the most jaw-dropping views you’ll ever see.

A few things to remember

Kangaroo Island, SA
Adhere to Kangaroo Island’s biosecurity laws to protect local wildlife. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Kangaroo Island is only accessible via air or sea. To get there, you can take a 45-minute ferry from Cape Jervis or hop on a 30-minute flight from Adelaide. SeaLink runs up to 12 services per day (dependent on the weather) and QantasLink offers daily departures.

Visitors should familiarise themselves with Kangaroo Island’s strict biosecurity laws before they arrive. Its remote location has protected it from many of the pests and diseases found on mainland Australia.

If introduced, these harmful organisms could have devastating effects on the island’s natural environment and agricultural industry. The exchange is beautifully uncomplicated: take only memories, leave only footprints.

Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to visit places like Norway and New Zealand, her favourite place to explore will forever be her homeland.
View profile and articles
An esky in the back of a vehicle by the beach on tour with Kangaroo Island Touring Company.
Kangaroo Island

15 must-try Kangaroo Island tours

When exploring an island that is four times the size of Singapore, it pays to book a tour with locals to see all the sights.

Read more
24 things to do on Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island

24 things to do on Kangaroo Island

From spending the night in luxury digs to touring the island on a foodie adventure and some of the best wildlife experiences you'll find anywhere, there's no end of things to see and do on this magical South Australian island.

Read more
An aerial shot of Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island

A Kangaroo Island accommodation go-to guide

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

Read more
Aerial view of False Cape Wines in Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Kangaroo Island

The must-visit wineries on Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island is making a splash on the drinks front. Here’s the lowdown on the best wineries on Kangaroo Island with a brewer and distiller thrown in for good measure.

Read more
hero media

Your guide to what’s new and exciting this summer on the Central Coast

    Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
    Continue
    From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

    Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

    Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

    1. Gosford’s glow up

    room at voco gosford
    Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

    Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

    Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

    Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

    Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

    2. Newcomers to the dining scene

    table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal
    Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

    The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

    Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

    Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

    Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

    3. New Central Coast experiences

    winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery
    Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

    It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

    Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

    Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

    For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

    4. Central Coast accommodation

    view from a cottage at Noonaweena
    Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

    There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

    Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

    In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

    To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

    5. Shopping on the Central Coast

    Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast
    Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

    For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

    Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

    Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

    Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

    For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

    Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .