Flinders Chase National Park

Flinders Chase National Park encompasses the wild, rugged west end of Kangaroo Island, offering some of South Australia’s most celebrated natural landmarks and wildlife experiences. The park is famous for the otherworldly Remarkable Rocks – giant granite boulders perched atop a windswept headland, carved by 500 million years of wind and waves into surreal shapes and golden-orange hues:contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}. Another highlight is Admirals Arch, a dramatic sea-carved archway dripping with stalactites, where a colony of long-nosed fur seals can be observed basking on the rocks below:contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}. Visitors can stroll the boardwalk down to Admirals Arch at Cape du Couedic to witness stunning coastal views and the resident seal colony at close range.

This 74,000-hectare park protects a diverse range of habitats – from coastal cliffs and pristine beaches to mallee woodlands and freshwater lagoons. It’s a sanctuary for wildlife: you’re likely to encounter kangaroos, tammar wallabies, koalas, echidnas, and abundant birdlife (like Cape Barren geese and Glossy black-cockatoos) in their natural environment. Flinders Chase also holds important historic sites, including the heritage-listed Cape du Couedic Lighthouse (built 1909) and remnants of early island homesteads.

Facilities: Flinders Chase has well-developed visitor amenities near the park entrance (just off South Coast Road). The Flinders Chase Visitor Centre (temporarily closed after bushfires) offered interpretive displays, a café and park information; in the interim, a mobile visitor information van and rangers provide assistance to visitors at key sites. There are picnic areas with shelters, BBQs and tables at Rocky River and Snake Lagoon, and public toilets at major stops like Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch. No playgrounds are present – the park’s natural landscape is the main attraction. Camping is available at West Bay and Snake Lagoon (bush camping), and there are cabins and campsites at Rocky River (near the visitor center) – advance booking is recommended. A vehicle entry fee applies for Flinders Chase (park passes can be purchased online or on-site).

Access: Flinders Chase National Park is located ~110 km west of Kingscote on Kangaroo Island. From the ferry at Penneshaw, it’s about a 1.5 to 2-hour drive across the island to reach the park’s entrance on West End Highway/South Coast Road. The park is open daily; note that large portions were affected by the 2020 bushfires, but as of recent years many sites have reopened with rejuvenating landscapes. Some walking trails and remote areas may remain closed for regeneration or safety – check the latest park alerts.

Despite the fire impacts, the park’s resilience is on display as wildlife and plants recover. Visitors can hike the Platypus Waterholes Trail (keep an eye out for elusive platypus in the pools at dawn or dusk), or trek part of the KI Wilderness Trail which showcases the park’s dramatic coastal scenery. With its spectacular rock formations, marine wildlife, and untamed wilderness, Flinders Chase National Park remains a must-see highlight of Kangaroo Island.