Sue's North Coast KI Guide
Beaches
Highly recommend visiting this pristine, sheltered North Coast beach and mouth of picturesque Middle River, 2 minutes drive down the hill from our place. One of only two beaches you can drive onto. Stunning and sheltered when southerlies are blowing!
10 locals recommend
Snelling Beach
Highly recommend visiting this pristine, sheltered North Coast beach and mouth of picturesque Middle River, 2 minutes drive down the hill from our place. One of only two beaches you can drive onto. Stunning and sheltered when southerlies are blowing!
Something for everyone - enter through a 'secret' and unique cave entrance to discover a long sandy beach with big water (for strong swimmers only) plus a sheltered lagoon for the kids to swim in calm water. A beautiful beach, only 15 minutes from the Grass Tree at Middle River.
33 locals recommend
Stokes Bay
Something for everyone - enter through a 'secret' and unique cave entrance to discover a long sandy beach with big water (for strong swimmers only) plus a sheltered lagoon for the kids to swim in calm water. A beautiful beach, only 15 minutes from the Grass Tree at Middle River.
A beautiful beach recently voted best beach in the world! Worth a visit, many options all around the bay of where to lay your towel depending on weather
13 locals recommend
Vivonne Bay
A beautiful beach recently voted best beach in the world! Worth a visit, many options all around the bay of where to lay your towel depending on weather
Gorgeous sandy beach you can drive along to find the perfect spot for the day
16 locals recommend
Emu Bay
Gorgeous sandy beach you can drive along to find the perfect spot for the day
Stunning Southern Ocean beach, absolutely 😍 and wirth the 50 minute drive if there's a Northerly wind blowing!
If there's a Southerly will be a bit wild but still beautiful to observe the ocean.
6 locals recommend
Hanson Bay
Stunning Southern Ocean beach, absolutely 😍 and wirth the 50 minute drive if there's a Northerly wind blowing!
If there's a Southerly will be a bit wild but still beautiful to observe the ocean.
Stunning and sheltered blue beach, a few hundred metres walk from car park. Well worth it, great swimming, rock fishing and snorkelling.
Western River Bay
Stunning and sheltered blue beach, a few hundred metres walk from car park. Well worth it, great swimming, rock fishing and snorkelling.
Sightseeing
Iconic tourist attraction: stunning cave arch formation populated by seals and sealions, on the Island's rugged South coast. Watch the seals playing in the waves or lolling on the rocks, and enjoy the bracing sea air. Pay modest fees to enter Flinders Chase National Park at the new temporary visitors centre, oronline before you go.
17 locals recommend
Admirals Arch
Iconic tourist attraction: stunning cave arch formation populated by seals and sealions, on the Island's rugged South coast. Watch the seals playing in the waves or lolling on the rocks, and enjoy the bracing sea air. Pay modest fees to enter Flinders Chase National Park at the new temporary visitors centre, oronline before you go.
Iconic tourist destination with huge rock formations perched at the edge of the wild Southern Ocean. Well worth the drive. Pay modest fees to enter Flinders Chase National Park at the new temporary visitors centre, oronline before you go.
34 locals recommend
Remarkable Rocks
S Coast RdIconic tourist destination with huge rock formations perched at the edge of the wild Southern Ocean. Well worth the drive. Pay modest fees to enter Flinders Chase National Park at the new temporary visitors centre, oronline before you go.
Historic lighthouse with self-guided tour and amazing views less than an hour from the house. Pay modest fees to visit at the lighthouse, or online before you go.
6 locals recommend
Cape Borda Lighthouse
Cape Borda RoadHistoric lighthouse with self-guided tour and amazing views less than an hour from the house. Pay modest fees to visit at the lighthouse, or online before you go.
Cape Du Couedic
Historic lighthouse with tours and great views of the Southern Ocean
Iconic national Park with great scenery, abundant wildlife and amazing story of recovery following bushfires in early 2020. Less than one hour from the house. Pay modest fees to enter Flinders Chase National Park at the new temporary visitors centre, or online before you go.
35 locals recommend
Flinders Chase National Park
South Coast RoadIconic national Park with great scenery, abundant wildlife and amazing story of recovery following bushfires in early 2020. Less than one hour from the house. Pay modest fees to enter Flinders Chase National Park at the new temporary visitors centre, or online before you go.
Wildlife experience
Bird and reptile experience like no other. Informative and entertaining, meet and learn about fascinating creatures, rescued and rehomed
45 locals recommend
Raptor Domain
58 Seal Bay RdBird and reptile experience like no other. Informative and entertaining, meet and learn about fascinating creatures, rescued and rehomed
Visit and support park renowned for rescue work with kidskoala population following the 2020 fires
28 locals recommend
Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park
4068 Playford HwyVisit and support park renowned for rescue work with kidskoala population following the 2020 fires
Observe seals in their natural habitat, and seal pups during nursing season. A very special experience. (Also for less $$ you can see seals at play in the surf at Admiral's Arch in Flinders Chase. )
43 locals recommend
Seal Bay Conservation Park
Seal Bay RoadObserve seals in their natural habitat, and seal pups during nursing season. A very special experience. (Also for less $$ you can see seals at play in the surf at Admiral's Arch in Flinders Chase. )
Bushwalks/hikes
Fantastic walk through regenerating vegetation to a wild, secluded beach. Now reopened and still boasts stunning scenery. One of our favourite walks on KI. Go at low tide and explore the second cave back from the water line - opens up into huge cavern with stalag-mites and -tites!!!
Pack water and a snack for the beach (half way) and wear good walking gear/shoes as is a long ish walk. And be aware of the path ahead as there may be snakes - we haven't seen any, but there are plenty of goannas around!
Ravine des casoars hike
Ravine RoadFantastic walk through regenerating vegetation to a wild, secluded beach. Now reopened and still boasts stunning scenery. One of our favourite walks on KI. Go at low tide and explore the second cave back from the water line - opens up into huge cavern with stalag-mites and -tites!!!
Pack water and a snack for the beach (half way) and wear good walking gear/shoes as is a long ish walk. And be aware of the path ahead as there may be snakes - we haven't seen any, but there are plenty of goannas around!
Snake Lagoon to Rocky River mouth walk, now also reopened. A beautiful and moderately challenging walk. Some steep sections especially towards the end (beach) but well worth the effort. Pass a beautiful river bed with big ponds, out to rugged ocean. Pay modest fees to enter Flinders Chase National Park at the visitors centre, or online before you go.
Pack water and a snack for the beach (half way) and wear good walking gear/shoes as is a long ish walk. And be aware of the path ahead as there may be snakes - we haven't seen any on the trail ourselves, but there are usually plenty of goannas around.
Snake Lagoon
Snake Lagoon to Rocky River mouth walk, now also reopened. A beautiful and moderately challenging walk. Some steep sections especially towards the end (beach) but well worth the effort. Pass a beautiful river bed with big ponds, out to rugged ocean. Pay modest fees to enter Flinders Chase National Park at the visitors centre, or online before you go.
Pack water and a snack for the beach (half way) and wear good walking gear/shoes as is a long ish walk. And be aware of the path ahead as there may be snakes - we haven't seen any on the trail ourselves, but there are usually plenty of goannas around.
Great full day hike or 3 hours if you walk one way - for which you will need a car or a person willing to collect you at each end of the trail! Starting at the Kelly Hill Caves Conservative Park HQ on the South Coast Road, experience dense vegetation which has redoubled post bushfire, opening out to vast Grassdale Lagoon (home to many swans and waterfown), followed by sand dunes through to Hanson Bay.
Pack water and a snack and wear good walking gear/shoes as even half way is a long ish walk. And be aware of the path ahead as there may be snakes!
Hanson Bay Hike, Karatta SA 5223, Australia
Great full day hike or 3 hours if you walk one way - for which you will need a car or a person willing to collect you at each end of the trail! Starting at the Kelly Hill Caves Conservative Park HQ on the South Coast Road, experience dense vegetation which has redoubled post bushfire, opening out to vast Grassdale Lagoon (home to many swans and waterfown), followed by sand dunes through to Hanson Bay.
Pack water and a snack and wear good walking gear/shoes as even half way is a long ish walk. And be aware of the path ahead as there may be snakes!
Food Scene
A great lunch-spot and cafe for meals, drinks and ice reams - friendly atmosphere, known for its fish & chips. Daytime only, no meals after 3 or 4pm, worth checking opening hours in off season.
ps now closed on Mondays, open for 6 days/week in school holidays
16 locals recommend
The Rockpool Cafe
A great lunch-spot and cafe for meals, drinks and ice reams - friendly atmosphere, known for its fish & chips. Daytime only, no meals after 3 or 4pm, worth checking opening hours in off season.
ps now closed on Mondays, open for 6 days/week in school holidays
Divine meals in a magical setting, nestled in a spreading fig tree, just two minutes down the hill from the Grass Tree. Summer season starting 10 November 2022 to 10 April 2023.
Highly recommended - book early!
From the Encganted Fig Tree website:
Lunches: 10 NOV 2022 // 10 APRIL 2023
Lunch 5 days a week – 12.15 (sharp) for a 12:30 pm start, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Price: $175 (inc. GST)
Dinners:
Experience the magic at night… Our starlight dinners operate Friday and Saturday nights through January 2023.
7 locals recommend
The Enchanted Fig Tree
5995 North Coast RoadDivine meals in a magical setting, nestled in a spreading fig tree, just two minutes down the hill from the Grass Tree. Summer season starting 10 November 2022 to 10 April 2023.
Highly recommended - book early!
From the Encganted Fig Tree website:
Lunches: 10 NOV 2022 // 10 APRIL 2023
Lunch 5 days a week – 12.15 (sharp) for a 12:30 pm start, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Price: $175 (inc. GST)
Dinners:
Experience the magic at night… Our starlight dinners operate Friday and Saturday nights through January 2023.
Parndana Hotel
Crn Cook & Wedgewood RoadGreat family pub a half hour from the house. Bottle shop, pool table, generous pub meals and friendly staff in an outback town.
9 locals recommend
Parndana Hotel
Crn Cook & Wedgewood RoadGreat family pub a half hour from the house. Bottle shop, pool table, generous pub meals and friendly staff in an outback town.
A gorgeous spot for brunch, lunch or coffee. Delicious food, gorgeous products from the farm and other local makers. Well worth a visit!
40 locals recommend
Emu Bay Lavender
205 Emu Bay RdA gorgeous spot for brunch, lunch or coffee. Delicious food, gorgeous products from the farm and other local makers. Well worth a visit!
Cactus Kangaroo Island
54 Dauncey StOne of our favourite food and coffee stops in Kingscote. A fresh, exciting menu, good coffee and friendly folks make it popular with visitors and locals alike!
38 locals recommend
Cactus Kangaroo Island
54 Dauncey StOne of our favourite food and coffee stops in Kingscote. A fresh, exciting menu, good coffee and friendly folks make it popular with visitors and locals alike!
Another good spot for coffee or a hearty cooked breakfast or brunch/lunch. Good family spot.
7 locals recommend
Cafe Scrumptious
76 Dauncey StreetAnother good spot for coffee or a hearty cooked breakfast or brunch/lunch. Good family spot.
A new vebue, so we haven't tried it yet, but Anerican River locals swear by it. Small sittings so book in advance, set menu with local paired wine offerings.
They say: dinnertime service from Tuesdays to Sundays. Starting time of 18:30 between November and April and 17:30 between June and October. Holidays. From 26th April until 1st June.
Samphire
A new vebue, so we haven't tried it yet, but Anerican River locals swear by it. Small sittings so book in advance, set menu with local paired wine offerings.
They say: dinnertime service from Tuesdays to Sundays. Starting time of 18:30 between November and April and 17:30 between June and October. Holidays. From 26th April until 1st June.
Cellar door/distillery
Character-filled bespoke distillery, a great spot to stock up on mulberry gin or other treats on your way to the Grass Tree North Coast at Middle River. If you have time to linger, book a table in the garden and listen to some live music
34 locals recommend
Kangaroo Island Spirits
856 Playford HwyCharacter-filled bespoke distillery, a great spot to stock up on mulberry gin or other treats on your way to the Grass Tree North Coast at Middle River. If you have time to linger, book a table in the garden and listen to some live music
Recommended by guests who know their wine - cellar door tastings in a delightful setting.
26 locals recommend
The Islander Estate Vineyards - Kangaroo Island Wines
78 Gum Creek RdRecommended by guests who know their wine - cellar door tastings in a delightful setting.
Bay of Shoals Winery
49 Cordes RdBeautiful views and nice wines. Well worth a visit!
Kangaroo Island Brewery
61 N Coast RdWorth a visit if you'd like to sample some local brews!
Supplies
Closest supplies to Grass Tree North Coast at Middle River, other than going to Kingscote
Parndana IGA
8 Cook StClosest supplies to Grass Tree North Coast at Middle River, other than going to Kingscote
A little further afield, Kingscote Drakes stores fresh supplies and a great range
29 locals recommend
Drakes Kingscote Foodland
Commercial StreetA little further afield, Kingscote Drakes stores fresh supplies and a great range