The main caravan parks on Kangaroo Island are in Penneshaw, Kingscote and next door to Flinders Chase National Park. Our Kangaroo Island Caravan Parks guide gives you a feel for each park, what facilities they have, and the nearby attractions.
There are also council-run caravan parks and campgrounds at Emu Bay, Stokes Bay, Antechamber Bay and Vivonne Bay. These give you access to some of Kangaroo Islands most beautiful areas
Kangaroo Island is 50 minutes by ferry from the southern tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula. The ferry leaves from Cape Jervis, 90 minutes from Adelaide. The SeaLink ferry can take cars towing camper trailers and caravans. Brace yourself, the ferry ride with a caravan or camper isn’t cheap, but visiting Kangaroo Island is a travel experience that’s worth every cent.
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Kangaroo Island Caravan Parks
Kangaroo Island Seafront Holiday Park – Penneshaw
If you want to roll off the ferry and straight into a caravan park, then look no further than the Kangaroo Island Seafront Holiday Park in Penneshaw. This is a lovely little park and a great base for looking around Penneshaw and exploring the eastern end of Kangaroo Island.
The one quirk of the park is that there is no onsite check in. If you are staying in one of their Bell Tents, Villas or Eco Tents, check in is around the corner at Kangaroo Island Seafront Resort. If you have a powered site booked, your site number is on a board as you enter the caravan park.
Read More : The Best Glamping in South Australia
Grounds and Atmosphere
One of the best things about the Seafront Holiday Park in Penneshaw is the setting. The trees, gardens and views over Hog Bay create a really nice atmosphere. You can sit under your awning or outside your tent, watch the ferry come and go and listen to a chorus of birds that live in the park.
You are within easy walking distance of Penneshaw Beach and local cafes and shops. The Kangaroo Island Sculpture Trail is adjacent to the park and is a lovely walk. The sculptures are interesting and the views as you weave over bridges, along boardwalks and up and down a few steps are great. Keep an eye out for the Tammar wallabies as you make your way along either side of the ravine. They have a white stripe either side of their nose.
Facilities
The facilities here have been recently refurbished (as of early 2022). The ensuite style amenities are a cut above your usual caravan park amenities blocks – very nice! The BBQ area is centrally located and spacious. There are open fire pits, and the stump seats are the perfect place to catch up after a busy day at the beach, fishing, or sightseeing.
Powered sites are well spaced and can accommodate large rigs. There is plenty of shade under tall trees and you’ll quite likely have water views. Pets are allowed at Kangaroo Island Seafront Holiday Park so long as they are kept on lead, but they are not permitted in the Eco Tents.
Accommodation
As well as camping and powered sites, the Seafront Holiday Park has a fantastic range of Bell Tents and luxury safari glamping tents. So, if you like caravan park life but don’t want the bother of towing or setting up a tent, you have some spectacular options here.
In the Bell tents, there is the couples Luxe Tent complete with king bed, linen, crockery, an esky, deck and sea views. Or there is the Family Tent that sleeps 4 with a queen bed and two singles. The décor and styling are very different from your standard tent!
If you want to step the comfort up another notch, you are looking at Seafront Eco Luxury Tents. We couldn’t resist a bit of Kangaroo Island glamping so spent a couple of nights in one of these and loved it. You are in a private part of the park.
You get an ensuite and big zipable windows to take in the views. The deck is the perfect place to watch the birds and enjoy a glass or two of KI wine and some cheese and biscuits. There’s a T.V., fridge, coffee machine, mini bar and a kitchenette. If you’re tired of tent poles and sagging canvas, you’ll love it.
- Book your stay at Kangaroo Island Seafront Holiday Park here
Things to do from your Penneshaw Caravan Park
- Relax at Penneshaw Beach
- Explore the Kangaroo Island Sculpture trail
- Spend an afternoon at Dudley Wines
- Look around Cape Willoughby Lighthouse
- Fish, swim and play on the beach at Antechamber Bay
Kingscote Tourist Park and Family Units – Kingscote
Kingscote is the biggest town on Kangaroo Island and is a good base for exploring the north coast. The park is 40 minutes from the SeaLink ferry terminal in Penneshaw in the ‘suburb’ of Brownlow. If you see signs for the Browlow Caravan Park, you are still headed in the right direction. Kingscote Tourist Park is also sometimes called the Napean Bay Tourist Park (confusing!).
Grounds and Atmosphere
If there is a scale for caravan parks ranging from flashy resort style affairs through to parks that time has forgotten, Kingscote Tourist Park is on the forgotten end of the spectrum. This is by no means a criticism. It is clean, shady and has a peaceful caravan park of yesteryear vibe going for it. If you want a relaxed spot to unwind after a day of sightseeing, this is the place.
Facilities
The sites are generous, the amenities are spic and span and there is a nice undercover BBQ and picnic area. The park is just a stone’s throw from Brownlow Beach which is a family friendly spot, and you can launch a boat there. When you return from your day fishing, there is a fish cleaning station in the park. What more could you want? Pets are allowed at Kingscote Tourist Park but you must contact the park prior to your arrival to get approval.
Accommodation
Kingscote Tourist Park has around 50 big powered and unpowered sites. They also offer several cabins and units including a Honeymoon Suite and Fishermen’s Cabins. As it says on the park’s website, they are clean, comfortable and affordable. They have a homey, beach holiday house type of feel. What they might lack in modem styling, they more than make up for in cosy comfort.
Things to do around Kingscote
- Have lunch and try wine at the spectacular Bay of Shoals inery
- Explore the northern beaches including Emu Bay, Stokes Bay and Snelling Beach
- Swim in the Kingscote Ocean Pool
Read More : Plan your Kangaroo Island Holiday
Kangaroo Island Discovery Park
The western end of Kangaroo Island is why so many people visit. There is rugged coastline, wildlife everywhere and beautiful beaches. This part of Kangaroo Island was affected by bushfires in the summer of 2020/21, but it is on the road to recovery and Kangaroo Island Discovery Park (formerly Western KI Caravan Park) is the perfect base to explore the area.
Kangaroo Island Discovery Park didn’t escape the fire so many of its facilities and cabins have been rebuilt. There is also lots of regrowth occurring and the kangaroos, wallabies and koalas are back. The park is 90 minutes from Penneshaw and on the doorstep of Flinders Chase National Park. Because of the amount of wildlife in the park, you cannot bring your pets to Discovery Park Kangaroo Island.
Read More : The Best Spots to see Wildlife on Kangaroo Island
Grounds and Atmosphere
Kangaroo Island Discovery Park is the biggest caravan park on Kangaroo Island. There is lots of camping and powered sites and cabin accommodation. We have stayed here a couple of times, once when the place was quiet and once when it was bursting at the seams. On both occasions, it had a good atmosphere.
Even when it is busy there is so much room it still didn’t feel crowded. There was just a great mix of people from all over Australia and the world excited to be exploring the wild side of KI. When it is quieter, it is a great chance to walk around and spot koalas in the trees or watch the local cape barren geese roam the sites.
Facilities
Despite its size, this is not a resort style park. If you have made it to the western end of Kangaroo Island you will be out exploring. That said, there are big modern amenities and laundry. There are fantastic new camp kitchen facilities too. There is a small playground for the kids. On our last visit, there were koalas in the trees around the playground so keep an eye out.
One of our favourite thing here is the wildlife walks you can do from in the park. The Lagoon Walk is the best of them. It takes around 45 minutes and goes through bushland, around the lagoon and back to the park. It is an easy walk along a dirt track, there are markers to keep you going in the right direction. At dawn or dusk you could spot anything from koalas, wallabies and adorable KI kangaroos to echidnas, lots of birds and heath goannas.
Accommodation
As well as powered and unpowered sites, Western KI Caravan Park have cabins ranging from two-person budget set ups to luxury cabins that sleep up to 7. The luxury cabins have queen sized beds, fully equipped kitchens and air conditioning. We have stayed in these for a few nights, and they are great. The front balcony is perfect for sitting back and watching the little tammar wallabies come in at night.
- Book your stay at the Western KI Caravan Park here
Things to do near Western KI Caravan Park
- Hike through Flinders Chase National Park
- Visit Cape Borda Lighthouse
- Go to Cape du Couedic Lighthouse and Admirals Arch
- See Remarkable Rocks
- Visit the sea lions at Seal Bay
- See the beautiful Beach at Vivonne Bay
Parndana Caravan Park
Parndana is a small town in the middle of Kangaroo Island one hour from Penneshaw. Unless you are driving between the north and south coasts or visiting the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, you might miss it all together. The Parndana Caravan Park is tucked in behind the Parndana Hotel. It was looking a bit sad and sorry when we drove through.
There was no one there and the sites and cabins looked run down, we’d suggest there are better accommodation options nearer to more attractions. That said, the hotel is a lovely spot for a meal, they have great pub food, and you must check out the Parndana Jetty – it’s a good laugh.
Kangaroo Island Council Campgrounds
There are also several council-run campgrounds on Kangaroo Island. Availability of sites is on a first come first serve basis. Payment is made through a self-registration booth at the campground that accepts cash and card. There are showers at some of the campgrounds, these are coin operated for $2 per shower. Council campgrounds are also pet-friendly.
These are a few of our favourites which around the island:
Emu Bay Campground
Emu Bay is 50 minutes from Penneshaw and 15 minutes from Kingscote on the north coast of Kangaroo Island. The beach here is stunning. You can drive on in 2 and 4WDs and find your own patch of clean sand and turquoise blue water. It is a great spot for a swim, snorkel or long beach walk. The dolphin tour that runs from Emu Bay is also worth doing.
Emu Bay Campground is minutes from the beach. There are around 12 level unpowered sites that are suitable for camper trailers and caravans. There are picnic areas but no showers and toilets. More facilities – BBQs, toilets and a playground are at the nearby foreshore zone.
Read More : How to spend a few days in Emu Bay
Stokes Bay Campground
Stokes Bay is 75 minutes form Penneshaw. It is a popular beach on the north coast of Kangaroo Island. It is best known for the short walk between giant boulders to get there. You crouch, twist and turn between the rocks then suddenly emerge onto this beautiful beach. Another feature of Stokes Bay is the small lagoon which is ideal for toddlers. Another popular spot, Snellings Beach is just 20 minutes from Stokes Bay.
The Stokes Bay Campground has approximately 25 unpowered sites that are suitable for campers and caravans. There are also toilet and picnic facilities. The Rock Pool Café is next door to the campground.
Browns Beach Campground
Only 15 minutes from Penneshaw, Browns Beach is a beautiful beachside campground. It is a safe, sheltered beach perfect for families. American River is another 15 minutes away and is a great spot for kayaking, bird watching and nature walks. There are around 10 unpowered sites here which are suitable for camping only, no caravans. You’ll also find toilets, showers, picnic shelters and BBQs. There is also rainwater, availability depends on how much rain there has been.
Vivonne Bay Campground
Vivonne Bay is about 60 minutes from Penneshaw on the south coast of Kangaroo Island. Perfect for fishing, swimming or long walks on the beach, Vivonne Bay is regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in South Australia. Vivonne Bay is also a great base for getting to other attractions like Seal Bay, Raptor Domain, Little Sahara and Cape Gantheaume.
Vivonne Bay Campground has both powered and unpowered sites and is suitable for campers and caravans. There is a full range of facilities from toilets and showers to picnic shelters, BBQs, a playground and rainwater. The beach is a short walk from the campground.
Read More : Visit Seal Bay for the Day
National Park Camping
There are 10 National Parks and Conservation Parks around Kangaroo Island. They offer a great taste of Kangaroo Island’s wildlife, beaches and spectacular scenery. Some of the campgrounds have recently been upgraded. These can all be booked through the National Parks SA website. Pets are not allowed at these campgrounds.
Chapman River and Antechamber Bay Campground
Only 20 minutes east of Penneshaw, Lashmar Conservation Park is home to a couple of Kangaroo Islands most popular campgrounds. The Antechamber Bay Campground and Chapman River Campground are right next door to one another. In fact, you can easily walk between them over a new bridge that spans the Chapman River.
The main difference between the two parks is that sites on the Chapman River run along the river. At the Antechamber Bay Campground, the sites are set amongst trees and bushland. Both campgrounds have unpowered sites, flush toilets, are suitable for caravans and are 2WD friendly. Sites must be booked which you do through the SA National Parks website. There you will also find the size of each site.
From Antechamber Bay Campground it is an easy walk to the beach and river. The Chapman River Campground is great for launching a kayak or river fishing. The Park is a good base for exploring the eastern end of KI including Cape Willoughby Lighthouse or ducking into to have a look around Penneshaw.
Read More : Find More Low Cost & Free Camps in South Australia
Murray Lagoon Campground
One of Kangaroo Island’s newest campgrounds is at Murray Lagoon in Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park. Cape Gantheaume is 50 minutes from Penneshaw on the southeast coast. The campground has 8 sites, but you get to enjoy toilets, gas BBQS, communal fire pits and picnic tables. Bookings are through the SA National Park website. The campground can accommodate caravans.
D’Estrees Bay Campground
D’Estrees Bay Campground is also in Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park. The sites spread out along the coast between the scrub. Murray Lagoon is a haven for birdlife which you can see on the Timber Creek and Curley Creek walks. The campgrounds are a good base for exploring the attractions on Kangaroo Island’s south coast like Seal Bay and Vivonne Bay.
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