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.
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.
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.
Weather & Climate near Flinders Chase National Park #
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).
January
January is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall.
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February
February is the warmest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. The driest month with just 14 mm.
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March
March is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (110 mm).
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 13°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (118 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Light rainfall.
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December
December is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Light rainfall.