Air Adventure Australia

Destination Profile - Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Kangaroo Island is South Australia's largest island and is located off the eastern coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula, 100 km south-west of Adelaide at the entrance to the Gulf St Vincent. It is renowned for its rugged and beautiful scenery and the beaches and fishing which it provides. Seals will be found at Seal Beach and are a popular attraction, and the Koala population of the island is becoming a problem so you will have no trouble seeing these popular creatures on your visit.

A mix of attractive small townships and fascinating wilderness; Kangaroo Island is Australia's third largest island.

Kangaroo Island statistics:

• 155 km from east to west
• 55 km at its widest point
• 1 km at its narrowest point
• Area about 4350 square km making it the second largest of the southern Australian system of islands after Tasmania
• Approximately 1600 km of sealed and unsealed roads
• Population 4237

Kangaroo Island claims to be the first South Australian settlement, as the early colonists stayed there before moving to the more suitable settlement at Glenelg in 1836. The island was settled by the South Australia company with the purpose of establishing Australia's free colony and to start a new colony between the Bight and Port Phillip Bay.

Throughout the nineteenth century various attempts were made to establish a viable industry on the island. Salt was mined; farmers tried to carve pastoral leases out of the poor soils; eucalyptus oil stills were set up, yacca was threshed for gum for lacquer and explosives; commercial fishing was undertaken, gypsum mining established itself and the tourism industry began.

At Cape du Couedic is one of the most picturesque of Australia's old lighthouses. Admiral Arch, a huge arch where stalactites are silhouetted against the afternoon sun is stunning sight. A colony of seals lives on the Casuarina Inlet, while protected breeding grounds are at Hanson Bay for fairy penguins and at Seal Bay for the Australian sea lion.

Viticulture has commenced here and the vines grow well in the moderate climate. The red wines produced are world standard.

One of Australia's true wilderness areas, Kangaroo Island's 18 conservation and national parks safeguard its flora and fauna while from its patchwork of farms and pure waters come foods the world's gourmets are just discovering.

This destination is part of the Western Wedge Safari Australian Adventure.