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Australia’s best beaches are hiding on Kangaroo Island, and only a road trip will get you there

Here are five of the most breathtaking beaches you’ll find on the island

Melissa Woodley
Written by
Melissa Woodley
Travel & News Editor, Time Out Australia
Aerial view of Pennington Bay
Photograph: Isaac Forman | Pennington Bay
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Like many fellow Aussies, I’m a sucker for a hidden gem. There’s just something magical about exploring the wonders of the world at your own pace and without the crowds. Throw in the fact that it’s a beach, and you’ve got me hooked.

Earlier this year, a secluded stretch of coast in South Australia was named Australia’s best hidden gem. After scrolling through endless photos of its glistening waters and golden sands, I knew I had to find my way there. The catch? It’s tucked away on a remote island, only reachable by four wheels and with no public transport in sight. Did that stop me? Absolutely not.

I won’t keep the beach a secret much longer. It’s the ever-so-dreamy Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island. And before you ask, yes, you’ll spot its namesake animal hopping around the island – even on the beaches, if you’re lucky. Tucked at the southern tip of Australia, Kangaroo Island is a hidden gem in its own right. It’s the country’s third-largest island and home to an abundance of native wildlife, charming farm gates, magnificent national parks, and many of the world’s best beaches (plural intended).

Getting to Kangaroo Island is half the adventure. It’s a 40-minute flight from Adelaide or a 45-minute ferry ride from Cape Jervis. The latter is preferable as you can bring your car or campervan along for the journey, with these four wheels coming in handy if you want to explore the entirety of the island. I opted to rent a campervan from Camplify so I could cruise around the island on my own time (or should I say, island time), stopping and sleeping wherever I wanted. I picked up ‘Van Helsing’ in Adelaide and enjoyed the scenic 1.5-hour drive down to Cape Jervis. In less than an hour, I was well on my way to the one and only Stokes Bay.

I don’t want to be dramatic, but Stokes Bay genuinely made me audibly gasp. After crawling through a rocky maze of caves, I stumbled onto some of the whitest sands and clearest water I’ve seen in Australia. The best part? I had the entire beach to myself (except for one lone surfer). Had it been summer, I would have definitely dived in the giant rockpool, which is perfectly sheltered from the surf.

I could have easily camped out at Stokes Bay all day, but my beach-hopping road trip was only just getting started. Over the next 48 hours, I came across many of the most breathtaking beaches I’ve ever seen. And that’s a pretty big call for a girl who grew up just 15 minutes from Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Below I've listed five of the absolute best, all only reachable thanks to my trusty Camplify van. 

1. Stokes Bay

This beautiful bay claimed the title of Australia’s best hidden gem in 2024, as well as Tourism Australia's best Aussie beach in 2023 – so much for being a secret. I won’t ramble, but it’s totally worth the hype. 

Beautiful beach with rock pools
Photograph: Melissa Woodley

2. Snelling Beach

A scenic 12-minute drive from Stokes Bay will bring you to Snelling Beach. The charming cove is the top swimming spot on Kangaroo Island’s north coast, featuring 660 metres of sheltered shallows and powdery sands. 

Couple walking on beach
Photograph: South Australian Tourism Commission

3. Vivonne Bay

This six-kilometre U-shaped cove is one of Kangaroo Island’s most popular surf beaches, offering sheltered breaks that both beginner and skilled surfers can ride without anything (or anyone) getting in the way. 

Beach landscape
Photograph: South Australia Media | South Australian Tourism CommissionVivonne Bay, Kangaroo Island

4. Seal Bay

As its name suggests, this south coast beach is home to Australia’s largest colony of sea lions. While you can’t swim here, you can watch these endangered animals play with their pups, bask on the sand and swim in the wild waters.

Seals on beach
Photograph: Melissa Woodley

5. Pennington Bay

My personal favourite, Pennington Bay, is the perfect final stop for anyone driving back along the south coast to the Penneshaw ferry terminal. With its pristine, deserted sands and powerful waves, it represents Kangaroo Island at its best.

Beautiful stretch of coastline with blue waters
Photograph: Isaac Forman

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RECOMMENDED:

🦘 Your guide to the best things to do on Kangaroo Island

🤫 Australia’s 10 best hidden gems have just been revealed

🌊 The 20 best beaches in Australia for swimming, surfing and sunbathing

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