When to visit Kangaroo Island | Intrepid Travel NZ

If you’re planning a trip to Kangaroo Island, you’re probably wondering when is the best time to go. The truth is, you can visit Kangaroo Island any time of year. The weather never really gets too cold or too hot and every season has something unique to offer. A better question to ask yourself is what you’re hoping to see and get out of your trip. Do you want to experience the island in solitude? Are you travelling on a budget? Or perhaps you're hoping to see a particular species of wildlife. Certain times of the year are better for certain activities.

Average temperatures on Kangaroo Island

MONTH	AVERAGE HIGH (°C)	AVERAGE LOW (°C)
January	25	13
February	26	13
March	23	12
April	20	11
May	17	9
June	14	7
July	14	7
August	14	7
September	15	7
October	18	8
November	21	9
December	24	11

Spring

Best for: seeing newborn wildlife, bushwalking, wildflowers

Spring runs from September to November. The chilly winter winds blow away, the rainy season fizzles out and the days gradually get longer and warmer. The island starts to come alive, and it's a great time to see animals coming out to enjoy the sun. You might be lucky to see kangaroo and Tamar Wallaby joeys climbing out of their mother’s pouch to discover the world around them before going back in to feed. Bushwalking is very pretty during spring as native wildflowers start to bloom and the ground erupts in colour, especially along the Rocky River Trail. It’s also common to see Australia Sea Lions basking in the sun at Seal Bay.

Summer

Best for: fur seal breeding season, beaches

The summer season runs from December to February. It’s the most popular time to visit when the days are long and hot, although it rarely exceeds 35°C. The island's stunning natural landscapes draw people in from all over Australia, and if you love the beach you’ll be in your element. Spend your days lazing around on Emu Bay, Stokes Bay, Western River Cove and other little gems and take a dip in the shimmering ocean to cool down in the summer heat. The fur seal breeding season is from December to January and you might get to witness some pretty unique scenes along the boardwalks in Flinders Chase National Park. Other animals such as kangaroos and wallabies retreat into the shaded bushland to escape the heat. They might be harder to spot, but you might see them napping or chilling if you’re out bushwalking.

Autumn

Best for: seeing penguins, bushwalking, beaches

Autumn is a spectacular time of year with warm sunny days to explore and slightly cooler nights – perfect for getting cosy with a glass of famous Kangaroo red outside. The mild weather also makes great conditions for bushwalking and native vegetation and wildflowers are in full bloom including colourful peapods, banksias and gumnuts. It’s definitely still warm enough to enjoy the island's fantastic beaches, too (plus it’ll be a little quieter). March is a great time to see penguins emerging from the ocean to find their nesting spots right in time for the breeding season which starts in April. The rainy season also begins in May, so don't forget to pack a raincoat.

Winter

Best for: amazing opportunities to see wildlife, whale watching, peace and quiet

If seeing wildlife is the focus of your trip, then you should definitely consider visiting in winter. The island's beaches are pretty popular with colonies of fur seals who enjoy chilling on the rocks to bask in the sunlight in between hunting for fish in the cold ocean. It’s also a great opportunity to see newborn koalas, kangaroos and wallabies. Winter sees the heaviest rainfall so you’ll definitely need some waterproofs. It might be chilly, but the crowds are much smaller in winter so you can explore the park in solitude without having to share the views with throngs of tourists.

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