Kangaroo Island in South Australia is a unique, diverse and spectacular part of Australia. With endless stunning coastlines, unique wildlife and a plethora of outstanding landscapes, camping on Kangaroo Island gets you up close and personal to all the amazingness that is KI.
Table of contents
Getting to Kangaroo Island
Drive south from Adelaide to Cape Jervis for approximately an hour, before jumping on the Sealink Ferry to Penneshaw. You can take your own vehicle on the ferry, hire one in Adelaide or even hire one in Penneshaw once you dock on the island.
The ferry journey between Cape Jervis and Penneshaw is roughly 45 minutes, depending on the seas. The Backstairs Passage is known for being nauseating.
Top Tip – Keep your focus on the horizon to avoid feeling seasick.
Getting around Kangaroo Island
Keep in mind Kangaroo Island is the third-largest island off the coast of Australia, behind Tasmania and Melville Island.
Driving from West to East will take approximately two and a half hours and from North to South approximately 40-60 minutes depending on the route you take.
Roads on the island are a mixture of sealed and unsealed. Therefore, a lot of the unique places and campgrounds are found on dirt roads.
There are only a handful of petrol stations on the island. Therefore, be prepared
Pennshaw to Kingscote, the main town on the island is roughly a 45-minute drive.
Kingscote is a great place to pick up groceries and any supplies you may need or haven’t brought across from the mainland.
The best places for camping on Kangaroo Island
Vivonne Bay Campground
About 45 minutes from Kingscote is the stunningly beautiful Vivonne Bay. The sweeping shoreline, crystal clear waters and nearby bushland make this a cracking spot for camping.
It has a mix of powered (8) and unpowered sites available as well as spots for caravans. Toilets and showers are available with showers incurring a gold coin donation to activate the shower. Plus the campground has a picnic area, BBQ area, playground for the kids and direct beach access. What more could you want when camping on Kangaroo Island.
Plus you’re centrally located with Seal Bay, Little Sahara and Flinders Chase National Park all very close by.
Emu Bay Campground
Located on the north shore of Kangaroo Island and only a short 15-minute drive from Kingscote, is the beautiful Emu Bay Campground.
The beach at Emu Bay is a long single stretch of white sandy beach, which you can in fact drive onto. One of only two beaches on KI that allows direct car access onto the beach.
The campground has only unpowered sites and caravan sites, best for fully contained caravans. There are toilets but no showers here. There are also picnic and bbq facilities, however, these along with the showers, are located approximately 150m away and inland from the campground.
The best thing about Emu Bay, besides the stunning beach, is the permanent street food van, Mini Delights, set up right next to the campground. They have the best coffee and food, plus cocktails for when you’re enjoying the evening sunset.
Browns Beach Campground
One of the first campgrounds you’ll come across as you’re leaving Penneshaw. Browns Beach Campground is only a short 15-minute drive from the ferry terminal.
The campground overlooks Nepean Bay and has some of the best views of the Southern Ocean.
Facilities include unpowered sites and caravan sites. Toilets and coin-operated showers are available. As well as picnic and bbq facilities and direct beach access.
Western River Campground
Back on the north shore of Kangaroo Island is the Western River Campground. It is nestled between two headlands creating the calm Western River Bay Cove.
Because of its remoteness, only unpowered sites are available and it is not suitable for caravans. You’re also going to want to ensure you have all the supplies you need when staying. Picnic and bbq facilities are available as well as toilets, however no showers.
The beautiful and secluded beach is accessible via a footbridge from the campground and over the Western River, down to the white sandy beach.
Getting to this secluded and wonderful camping site on the north shore of Kangaroo Island will take approximately 1 hour from Kingscote.
American River Campground
If you’re into boating, sailing, fishing and scrumptious oysters then American River Campground is for you.
Only 30 minutes from Penneshaw ferry terminal, you’ll be set up and enjoying a dozen oysters from the nearby Oyster Farm Shop in next to no time.
American River Campground has everything you could need. Powered (6) and unpowered sites, caravan sites, toilets and coin-operated showers. As well as the standard picnic and BBQ facilities, direct beach access.
There is also a general store and cafe nearby, as well as a boat ramp for your tinny.
Related Posts
Recently upgraded camping site on Kangaroo Island
D’Estrees Bay Campground*
Found in the beautiful Cape Gantheaume National Park, the D’Estrees Bay Campground has had a recent upgrade to include toilets and a picnic shelter.
The sites here ate suitable for tents, caravans and campervans and are unpowered.
This secluded location is ideal for those that want to disconnect. With only 8 campsites available you’ll be waking up to stunning ocean views mostly to yourself.
Murray Lagoon Campground*
Another recently upgraded camping site on Kangaroo Island is Murray Lagoon. This inland site is on the banks of the lagoon.
Again with only 8 campsites available and suitable for tents, caravans and campervans, you’ll have this mostly to yourself too.
New additions to the campground include a camp shelter complete with a gas barbecue, picnic tables, 4 communal fire pits and long-drop toilets.
*Due to these sites being in a National Park you must pre-book and pay for your stay on the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s website.
Current fees for camping on Kangaroo Island
– Powered site $35 a night for up to two people
– Unpowered site $22.50 a night for up to two people
– Additional persons $7.50 a night
Booking a campsite
The KI Council does not take bookings for the sites and availability is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Paying site fees
Fees apply for each location and can be paid at a self-service machine.
Credit card (Visa or Mastercard only) payments can be made at the following sites, using the PARKEON Pay station.
- American River
- Brown Beach
- Vivonne Bay
Additionally, coin payment is also accepted. No change or refunds.
Check-in and check-out times
There are no traditional times as the campgrounds run on a first-come-first-served basis.
Pets
All the camping sites on Kangaroo Island are pet friendly. However, due to the unique biodiversity, pets must be leashed at all times. Waste from pets must be collected and properly disposed of. Finally, pets should also not cause any nuisance, noise or discomfort to other guests enjoying the facilities and island.
Additional information can be found on the Kangaroo Island Council Website.
So tell me, where are you going camping on Kangaroo Island?
This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase something using one of the links I may receive a commission.
Please see my disclosures for more information.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase using my link at no additional cost to you.