Flinders Chase National Park

Park Protected park on Kangaroo Island with coastal rock formations

On western Kangaroo Island, Flinders Chase features Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch, coastal walking trails and wildlife-sea lions, kangaroos and native birds-plus picnic spots and rugged shorelines.

Main image
Main image

Flinders Chase National Park occupies the western end of Kangaroo Island in South Australia and protects a mix of coastal scenery, native bush and wildlife habitat. The park is named after explorer Matthew Flinders and contains several high-profile geological features and sea-cliff formations.

Key highlights include the sculpted granite formations known as the Remarkable Rocks and the coastal sea-arch known as Admiral’s Arch, both of which offer short walks and established viewing platforms. The park is also valued for its wildlife, with frequent sightings of kangaroos, koalas and a seabird and seal presence along the coast.

The protected area was established to conserve the island’s natural and geological features and has been managed for conservation, visitor access and bushfire recovery where necessary. Infrastructure focuses on visitor carparks, walking tracks and lookouts at the main sites.

Flinders Chase lies at the western tip of Kangaroo Island, off the coast of Adelaide, and is accessed by ferry to the island followed by road travel; the nearest service town on the island is Kingscote, with the park located several tens of kilometres west of the main ferry terminal.

  • Wildlife viewing tips: Best times for wildlife viewing are early morning and late afternoon; the park is a prime spot for seeing kangaroos, koalas and a resident colony of New Zealand fur seals at sea cliffs.
  • Access and facilities: Park access is by road across Kangaroo Island; facilities and marked trails are concentrated at the main attractions such as Remarkable Rocks and Admiral's Arch.

What to See #

  • Remarkable Rocks: Remarkable Rocks - a group of sculpted granite boulders perched on the headland, formed by wind and sea weathering and offering panoramic coastal views.
  • Admiral's Arch: Admiral's Arch - a natural rock arch above the sea with an accessible boardwalk viewpoint and a nearby colony of New Zealand fur seals.
  • Cape du Couedic area: Cape du Couedic and lighthouse - a granite headland with a historic lighthouse, walking trails and coastal lookouts overlooking the Southern Ocean.
Flinders Chase National Park
Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia
-35.9290, 136.7221
Open access (parkland)
Free entry to the park (fees apply for campgrounds and some facilities)

How to Get to Flinders Chase National Park #

Access Kangaroo Island from Cape Jervis (South Australia) by SeaLink ferry to Penneshaw (ferry ~45 minutes). From Penneshaw drive across the island to Flinders Chase National Park on the island’s west end - plan on roughly 100-120 km of driving across island roads and about 2 hours driving time from Penneshaw. From Adelaide, drive to Cape Jervis (about 100 km, ~1.5 hours) to catch the ferry; there are also light aircraft services from Adelaide to Kingscote, from which Flinders Chase is a further drive of around 1.5-2 hours.

Tips for Visiting Flinders Chase National Park #

  • Buy the required South Australian national parks pass before arrival and aim to reach Remarkable Rocks at sunrise for the best photographic light and far fewer day-tour buses.
  • Visit Admirals Arch late afternoon or early evening for better chances of observing the New Zealand fur seals on the rocks below and to avoid the peak mid-day crowds.
  • If you want quieter walking tracks, plan to explore the less popular inland trails (away from Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch) late in the day or on weekdays when tour traffic is lowest.

Best Time to Visit Flinders Chase National Park #

Best from spring through autumn when trails are drier and wildlife is most active.

Spring
Sep-Nov · 10-20°C
Wildflowers and active wildlife after winter rains-good for walking and wildlife viewing with moderate temperatures.
Summer
Dec-Feb · 15-25°C
Warm, drier weather ideal for coastal hikes and beach stops; busier holiday periods in January.
Winter
Jun-Aug · 8-15°C
Cooler and wetter with rougher seas; quieter on the trails and good for seeing different wildlife behavior.

Weather & Climate near Flinders Chase National Park #

Climate

Flinders Chase National Park's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in February) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 8°C to 24°C. Moderate rainfall (704 mm/year).

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
24°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
14° 24°

Weather

22 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is the warmest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. The driest month with just 14 mm.

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
14° 24°

Weather

14 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm).

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
13° 22°

Weather

33 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm).

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
12° 19°

Weather

49 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm).

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
10° 16°

Weather

83 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (110 mm).

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
14°

Weather

110 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 13°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (118 mm).

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
13°

Weather

118 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
14°

Weather

104 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°

Weather

72 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm).

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 18°

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 20°

Weather

27 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
13° 22°

Weather

25 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

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