Kangaroo Island, inland, south and west coast

The inland is the real heart of Kangaroo Island and it's known as Parndana. Here the ex-soldiers from War World II were given the task of farming the island in return for an allocation of 1200 acres of land that could be paid back later, so Parndanda is home to the Soldier Settlement Museum. The freshwater crayfish, marron, is farmed on KI and at Andermel Marron Farm, the marrons are kept in tanks, while at the Marron Cafè, they are served on plates to delight your palate. Another unique place is in the heartland of KI is The Islander Estate Vineyards, founded by the french Jacques Lurton, who after travelling around the world, was inspired by this spot for grape growing and wine making. 

Western Kangaroo Island is one of the most visited sites on the island. It has the Flinders Chase Visitor Centre, that is opened daily and explains some of the history of the island's formation and of the settlers; plus there are some beautiful spots all along the coast with wildlife and amazing view or interesting experiences, all combined in a peaceful and lonely atmosphere.

Away from the tourist spots, there's an abundant amount of wildlife, with birds, echidnas, kangaroos and koalas dozing in Eucalyptus trees. 

Hanson Bay is the place to go to see and spot some wildlife during the day and through nocturnal tours. For the more energetic, there's a spectacular Hanson Bay Hike that begins here and reach Kelly Hill Visitor Centre, 18 kilometres long it reaches Kelly Hill Conservation Park, where you can find underground sinkholes and caverns and you can crawling and sliding in the smaller caves. 

Other hikes well worth the energy are Weirs Cove Hike, Rocky River Hike, Snake Lagoon and Sandy Creek Hike. They are all at the western end of the island where the Flinders Chase National Park is located.

Tourist hot spots and most popular landmarks are in the Flinders Chase National Park, knowns as Admiral Arch and Remarkable Rocks, the first being a natural arch sculptured by the wind and sea where hundreds of New Zealand fur seals rest and play, the last being rocks on a cliff, having been there for 500 million years and changing shape throughout the years.

Cape du Couedic and Cape Borda lightstations are both found within the park and represent the historical spots on the western side of the island. It's fascinating to learn about the history and the habits of the people leaving there, know how they use to live, expecting provisions and supplies after months, 3 or more, from the sea or the heart of the island long ago when everything wasn't too developed and easy as nowadays. Departing from Cape du Couedic, a 2 kilometres hike provides coastal cliff-top views and leads to Admirals Arch car park or take the Weirs Cove Hike to understand the life of the light keeper back in the past, discover how people and supplies were landed along the coastline. By Cape Borda follow the Harveys Return Hike, a 9 kilometres hike that wanders along the light keepers' old cart track and discover how they used to transport their stores up from Harveys Return with a horse and capstan and small rail cars.

Other popular place on KI is the South Coast: its beautiful is stunning with Little Sahara, Seal Bay Conservation Park and Vivonne Bay, once nominated best beach in Australia from a Sydney University professor after a research study. Vivonne Bay is a long, curved and white sandy beach enjoyable during summer for picnicking, surfing and fishing.

Guided tours at Seal Bay Conservation Park provide the opportunity to observe Austrlian sea lions in their natural environment. If you like birds and want to learn more about the natural hanging abilities of eagles, owls, falcons stop at Raptor Domain, join Dave in a tour and entertain yourself watching this incredible creatures. If you are more adventurous and like adrenaline rush, try to sand board little Sahara dunes, kayak out of Vivonne Bay or quad-biking the island on a guided tour.