
easy
14–16 hours
Comfortable with a long travel day and several short walks on boardwalks and uneven coastal paths.
Cross Backstairs Passage for a full-day, small-group journey through Kangaroo Island’s wild coast and Ngarrindjeri creation stories. Walk among seals, roam Remarkable Rocks, and let an elder’s perspective give shape to the land beneath your boots.
Dawn shakes Adelaide awake as the coach rolls south toward Cape Jervis. The sea is already in motion, urging the ferry across Backstairs Passage toward Penneshaw where Kangaroo Island rises—wind-sculpted, salt-etched, quietly immense. On the far side, Ngarrindjeri elder Mark Koolmatrie gathers the group for a slow stroll through coastal scrub, where fragrant leaves crush underfoot and bush foods reveal a living library. Here, the land doesn’t whisper; it speaks plainly, asking you to pay attention.

Expect an early start and late return. Eat breakfast beforehand and pack snacks to keep energy up between stops.
UV is fierce even on cool days and coastal winds can bite—wear a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and bring a light windproof layer.
The ferry crossing can be choppy. If you’re prone to seasickness, take medication 30–60 minutes before boarding.
Follow your guide’s lead during story-sharing and stay on paths at sacred or sensitive locations.
Ngarrindjeri creation narratives such as Nurrunderi and Kondoli connect sea and land along this coast; the island was uninhabited at European arrival but archaeological evidence shows ancient Aboriginal presence in the region.
Seal Bay and Flinders Chase are tightly managed to protect breeding seals and fragile coastal vegetation. Stay on signed paths and observe all wildlife from designated distances.
Boardwalks and granite platforms can be slick—good traction keeps steps sure-footed.
Coastal gusts are common year-round; a shell blocks wind and occasional spray.
spring specific
Strong UV exposure on open headlands and beaches makes sun protection non-negotiable.
summer specific
Hydration helps you stay sharp across a long day with limited refill stops.