So Many Places to Visit on Kangaroo Island

Rebuild Independence Group (RIG) is a community-based, non-profit organisation with the mission of rebuilding a replica of the 45ft Schooner Independence, the first vessel built in 1803 in South Australia, by Captain Isaac Pendleton and his crew of the American Brig “Union”, from Stonington, USA.

The original Independence was presumed lost with all hands, south of New Zealand a few years later.

On the banks of American River, our local community have errected a huge shed to enable this full size replica of the Independence to be built securely under cover. The vessel when launched will carry Kangaroo Island visitors on short excursions into Eastern Cove, to experience life in the days of sail.

The boat will be a lasting legacy to the pioneering spirit of those early sailors that put the "American" in American River.

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Swim With Wild Dolphins

Enjoy a marine wildlife experience along the stunning North Coast of Kangaroo Island.

See seals, sea eagles and osprey plus view ancient fossil beds.

Take the opportunity to swim with wild bottlenose dolphins in shallow and protected waters, an experience that will take your breath away.

1.5 hour and 3 hour tours available.

The 3 hour tour includes the use of wetsuits and snorkel equipment, and is great fun for the whole family. For those who don't wish to swim, enjoy the view and relax with morning tea and homemade treats at a remote beach location.

Kelly Hill Caves can be found about 1.25 hours drive from Sunrise on Falie @ American River. They're located on the South Coast Road past Vivonne Bay, close to the Flinders Chase National Park entrance to Remarkable Rocks and Admirals arch.

Discover the magical underground world of these beautiful caves and admire the ornate cave decorations! For the bold and inquisitive there are also adventure caving tours that take you crawling through the underground maze. Or you may just like to go bushwalking above ground to appreciate the diverse landscapes.

Main cave tours will take about an hour, not accessible really for people with disabilities, as you do have to go down some steep steps at the cave entrance.

There is a nice picnic area next to the National Parks Educational and Ticketing office, plus some flat, easy access short walking tracks around the cave entrances. A very peaceful and fun thing to do.

Island Pure is a 260 hectare grazing property on the banks of the beautiful Cygnet River and Gum Creek on Kangaroo Island - where South Australia's first sheep dairy and cheese factory opened in 1992. Their entire range of dairy and cheese is handmade on site from 100 per cent sheep milk.

Farm Tours run between 11am and 3.30pm daily, with milking between 2 and 4pm, where you will learn all about cheese making, view the factory, watch the sheep being milked and kids of all ages and sizes (including the really big ones) can get up close and personal with their '4 legged girls'.

You'll also be treated to some tastings of their range of Yoghurt and Cheese. Yum!

Island Pure is about 20 minutes from American River and 10 minutes from Kingscote.

Raptor Domain has many orphaned, injured and sick Birds of Prey (Hawks and Eagles) come into their care each year.

Plus, some of their birds have been bred in captivity and are quite rare, like the White Goshawk, Black-breasted buzzard and the Sooty owl.

They offer a range of shows, demonstrations and presentations to make your visit inspiring and fun including Reptiles and Snakes.

Raptor Domain do not train animals to do circus tricks - instead they show you their natural behavior on command in a natural environment. Well worth the visit while on K.I.

• Sandboarding
• Kayaking
• Quad Biking

Sandboarding - the Little Sahara Sand Dunes are a system of naturally occurring coastal blow out dunes, covering approximately two square kilometers on the south coast of Kangaroo Island between Vivonne Bay and Seal Bay. The dunes vary in size, the highest dune being approximately 70 meters above sea level.

You can hire Toboggans that one or two people can sit on, or stand up Sandboards for the more confident, through to Performance Sandboards for the experienced boarder.

2 hour or full day hire options available. Outstanding fun - but muscles might be a bit sore the next day!

Kayaking - Paddle on up to 5 kilometres of the calm and meandering Harriet River with a variety of birds and other wildlife. Relax as you enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Choose from a Guided Kayak Tour or just hire the kayaks and make your own way up the river. Single or Double Kayaks available for hire for 4 hours at a time.

Quad Bikes - A guided quad bike tour passes through inaccessible parts of Kangaroo Island! Ride your own quad bike (ATV) through 500 acres of open grassland and pristine native bush, checking out wildlife and stunning views of the Southern Ocean along the way. Choose to ride through a wide variety of terrain and give yourself the freedom to ride safely to the conditions and within your ability.

Visit the Outdoor Action website to see the choices of paths available.

The Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the western end of Kangaroo Island close to the Remarkable Rocks entrance to Flinders Chase National Park.

The Sanctuary is the best place on Kangaroo Island to see a sustainable population of Koalas in the wild plus a range of other native Australian wildlife. This is an absolute must for international visitors! During daylight hours, you can take a self-guided tour and at night time, a guided tour is offered.

They have a Visitor Centre & Cafe offerening visitors great information, meals, snacks, drinks, souvenirs and barista made coffee. They also offer a wide range of souvenirs and Local Kangaroo Island produce to take home.

These nighttime wildlife tours get you out and about around twilight, sunset and immediately after, giving you an unforgettable look some of Kangaroo Island's most exotic and beautiful animals.

Run by experienced guides who live locally and know the area, you'll love experiencing the sights and sounds after dark.

The drop in air temperature and light means the island buzzes with activity as day gives way to night. See how this 155km long island transforms as the sun goes down and the 'local nightlife' warms up.

A two-and-a-half-hour package gives you the chance to see the more elusive animals, including Stone Curlews, Boobook Owls, Brush-tailed Possums and maybe even an adorable echidna. Spot Western Grey Kangaroos grazing in open grasslands, or discover Tammar Wallabies hiding in the shrub lands.

The group can even head over to the Kingscote coastline in the hope of seeing the adorable wild penguins. Other Tours Available:-

• Heritage Tours
• Guided 4WD Tours
• Hire a Guid Tours