Best Things to Do at Flinders Chase National Park
Last Updated on April 15, 2024 by Kelly
Flinders Chase National Park is a spectacular park located on the western side of Kangaroo Island is South Australia. There’s so much to see at this park: unique rock formations, winding roads, ocean views, lighthouses, and plenty of wildlife! The park is currently recovering from recent bushfires, and many of the park’s iconic spots are now open for visitors. We visited Flinders Chase National Park during our honeymoon (prior to the bushfires), and it was one of the highlights of our trip to Kangaroo Island. We’ve updated this post to reflect the recovery since the bushfires. The photos are from our trip prior to the fires. In this post, we are sharing the best things to do at Flinders Chase National Park, where to stay, and how to get there!
If you’re in a hurry, we absolutely think it is worth visiting this park. In our opinion, the best things to see are the Remarkable Rocks and Admiral’s Arch.
Important Information
Flinders Chase National Park is very large. At over 126 square miles (326 square kilometers), there’s plenty to see and do when you visit!
Flinders Chase National Park consists of three sections: Cape du Couedic, Gosse Lands, and Cape Borda Lightstation. The park contains two geological monuments that have been recognized by the Geological Society of Australia: Cape du Couedic and the Remarkable Rocks.
We recommend that you book your park tickets in advance. You can purchase one-day or two-day admission tickets to Flinders Chase National Park.
Please note that WiFi and cellular data access are limited, so it’s a good idea to download offline maps in preparation for your visit.
Park staff are typically present from 9am to 5pm.
Be sure to pack enough water and food for your visit. The park does not have any concession facilities at this time. There are also limited toilets.
Be sure to check the park’s website for any alerts or trail closures.
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Park’s Website: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/flinders-chase-national-park Park Map: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/flinders-chase-national-park#maps |
When visiting, also be sure to follow Leave No Trace principles. Leave the park exactly as you found it. Help to protect the re-growth of the park’s ecology.
How to Get to Flinders National Park
Flinders Chase National Park is located on the western end of Kangaroo Island, about 68 miles (110 kilometers) west of Kingscote.
To reach Kangaroo Island from mainland Australia, you can choose to take a ferry or book a flight.
When we traveled to Kangaroo Island, we flew from Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Kingscote Airport (KGC). Kingscote Airport is the only airport on Kangaroo Island, and it’s served by Regional Express Airlines and Qantas Airlines. The flight is only 30 minutes long.
When we arrived on Kangaroo Island, we opted to rent a car so we could fully explore the island. Because Kangaroo Island has many unpaved roads and lots of wildlife, we found that the rental car prices were a bit higher than we expected due to greater liability. In our opinion, though, it was definitely worth spending a little more to have our own vehicle.
What to See at Flinders Chase National Park
There’s so much to see at Flinders Chase National Park! We did a lot of research on the park, and several of these recommendations are from our own personal experience.
Remarkable Rocks
One of the park’s most famous attractions is the Remarkable Rocks. The parking lot can fill up quickly, so we recommend arriving there early. Later in the morning tour buses will arrive, so it’s helpful to beat the rush. You’ll also have the advantage of less people in your photos!
The Remarkable Rocks are made of granite and they have unique shapes as a result of erosion due to the ocean winds. It’s estimated that it took 500 million years for the rocks to be shaped into their current formations!
Many of the rocks are covered in golden orange lichen. At sunrise or sunset, the golden light makes them quite beautiful. The lichen can also make the rocks slippery when it rains, so be sure to tread carefully when visiting.
Admiral’s Arch
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Another natural landmark at Flinders Chase National Park is Admiral’s Arch, which is a giant rock archway. When you take the boardwalk down to the arch, you’ll also likely see lots of seals. A large group of long-nosed fur seals have made Admiral’s Arch their breeding colony. When we visited, we saw lots of seals. The arch provided the perfect “window” to see the ocean. Between mid-May and late-October, whales migrate through the area. If you’re visiting during whale season, bring your binoculars and see if you can spot a whale!
Cape du Couedic Lighthouse
The Cape du Couedic Lighthouse was built between 1906 and 1909. The tower is 82 feet high. The lighthouse was greatly needed, because there had been several shipwrecks off the coast. For many years after its construction, it was only accessed by sea. Now there is a road that leads to the lighthouse. It’s currently listed as a heritage site.
Cape du Couedic Road
One of the highlights of our trip to Flinders Chase National Park was the drive down Cape du Couedic Road. The winding road is one of the most picturesque we have seen. We first saw the image of this road on postcards, and it did not disappoint when we saw it in-person.
Weirs Cove
Near the Cape du Couedic Lighthouse, you can find a trail that leads to Weirs Cove. The trail is a little less than two miles long roundtrip. The lighthouse keepers used to walk this trail to receive essential goods from the shore, and then they would have to haul it back to the lighthouse. You can walk the same trail they did!
Cape du Couedic Hike
The Cape du Couedic trail loop is less than 2 miles long and will give you dramatic views of the coast.
Ravine des Casoars
The hike to Ravine des Casoars is less than 5 miles long roundtrip and will take you to the coast. At the end, there is a very large cave.
Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail
The Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail is a 5-day trek that is nearly 37 miles long. The trail follows along Kangaroo Island’s southern coast. Much of the trail was damaged during the 2019-2020 bushfire. You can currently walk the trail as part of the Fire Recovery Experience through one of their licensed tour operators.
Cape Borda Lighthouse
The Cape Borda Lighthouse overlooks Investigator Strait. This short and square lighthouse was built in 1858, making it the third oldest lighthouse in South Australia. It was originally called Flinders Light. Near the lighthouse is a short trail (Cliff Top Hike) that will take you to a lookout with excellent views of the ocean.
Where to Stay Near Flinders Chase National Park
Hotels and Lodging
- Mays Homestead: This cottage has room for up to 4 guests. The cottage has two bedrooms, a kitchen, living area, and full bathroom.
- Postman’s Cottage: This cottage has room for 2 guests. There’s a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen.
Campgrounds
- Harvey Return Campground: This campground has 8 campsites, a pit toilet, and some picnic tables. Campfires are not permitted. This campground can be accessed by vehicles with 2WD or 4WD.
- West Bay Campground: This campground is a short walk from the bay. There are 8 campsites, a pit toilet, and some picnic tables. Access is limited to vehicles with 4WD. Campfires are not permitted.
Where to Eat
There are no dining options within Flinders Chase National Park, so it’s important that you pack a meal and snacks when you visit. (Be sure to follow Leave No Trace guidelines and pack out everything you pack in. Be careful not to litter!)
If you’re looking for a restaurant, you’ll probably need to travel to one of the following cities in Kangaroo Island:
- Kingscote: Approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Flinders Chase National Park
- Penneshaw: Approximately 132 kilometers (82 miles) from Flinders Chase National Park
- Parndana: Approximately 62 kilometers (38 miles) from Flinders Chase National Park
Frequently Asked Questions
Are drones allowed?
No, drones are not allowed in Flinders Chase National Park. Drones disrupt the wildlife.
Are pets allowed?
Dogs are not allowed in Flinders Chase National Park. Only service animals are allowed into the park.
Do you have to pay to see the Remarkable Rocks?
Because the Remarkable Rocks are located within Flinders Chase National Park, you’ll need to purchase a pass into the park.
Summary
Flinders Chase National Park was one of our favorite places to visit on Kangaroo Island. If you’re visiting Kangaroo Island, it’s definitely worth visiting the west side of the island to view the wildlife and geological features at Flinders Chase National Park.
Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information. The photos included in this post were taken prior to the 2019-2020 bushfire.
