Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island
It’s easy to enjoy the good life on Kangaroo Island. Australia’s third largest island is equal parts tame and wild; a land of (sheep) milk and honey farmed since the early 19th century, and a significant sanctuary where creatures as diverse as koalas and bees have been saved from extinction.
Kangaroo Island can feel like our continent jam packed in one: a big land of few people, teeming with exotic animals and blessed with a natural beauty that ranges from wetlands and soaring cliffs to pristine beaches and forests. It is also home to some of the most fertile farming country in Australia, so it’s safe to say you’ll be indulging in nature’s finest produce.
While only 155km long – Kangaroo Island is not much smaller than Bali – this does not mean the island falls short of surprising accommodation delights.
Below, we’ve curated a guide on where to stay in Kangaroo Island, from a Gourmet Traveller Hotel and Travel Award winner to private retreats where the only neighbours are kangaroos, wallabies and echidnas.
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GT‘s picks for Kangaroo Island accommodation
- Best overall: Southern Ocean Lodge
- Best for couples: Tove by Sol Hus
- Best for families: Sea Loft Kangaroo Island
- Best farm stay: The Passage Kangaroo Island
Where to stay in Kangaroo Island 2026
Best for: staying at an award-winning escape
Sleeps: two to eight
Southern Ocean Lodge has a true sense of privacy and isolation. Winner of Resort of the Year in our 2025 Hotel and Travel Awards, the lodge lines a limestone clifftop on Kangaroo Island’s south-west coast, with only ocean between it and Antarctica. Destroyed by the 2020 bushfires, the luxury lodge was rebuilt to the tune of $55 million before re-opening in late-2023, and features 25 spacious split-level suites that follow the slope of the clifftop. All meals, included in the tariff, are created using local produce, much of it fished from the ocean surrounding Kangaroo Island. Environment, water, energy and community all factor in to the creation and maitenence of the stay, from the protected wilderness surrounding the lodge to investment in a large reverse osmosis systems, setting the benchmark for luxury experiential travel in Australia.
Address: Hanson Bay Rd, Kingscote SA 5223
Best for: sustainable comfort
Sleeps: two | Bedrooms: one
Built from rammed earth using solar-passive design, Ecopia Retreat offers something distinct, sustainable and unique. Here, two luxurious off-grid villas, Ada and May, offer a secluded escape immersed in Kangaroo Island’s natural landscape, with each villa privately positioned across a vast registered wildlife sanctuary. Featuring double-glazed windows, hardwood floors, a wood fireplace, king-size bed and freestanding baths, powered entirely by solar energy and rainwater, Ecopia is designed to bring the outdoors in, and feels more like being within a national park than a standard holiday property. Ideally positioned in the centre of Kangaroo Island, Vivonne Bay, Seal Bay Conservation Park and the Little Sahara Sand Dunes are all less than 20-minutes away.
“You’re kept cool by the rammed earth walls and ceiling fans – all while being sustainable,” said one five-star review. “The bed and linens are of great quality, the ambience is chill and no detail has been spared.”
Address: 563B Gregors Road, Seddon SA 5223
Best for: captivating views
Sleeps: two | Bedrooms: one
Pared back and off-grid, this ocean-view home by CABN offers a wealth of luxury features, including an indoor fireplace, ensuite bathroom, outdoor bathtub, private sauna and sweeping views of Antechamber Bay in one tiny home. Offering captivating views over the rambling wilderness thanks to its floor-to-ceiling windows, the line between indoors and out is blurred, immersing you in Kangaroo Island’s landscape from dawn to dusk. Spend your days exploring the island’s treasures before returning to moments of repose by the fireplace and drinks on the deck.
Address: Cape St Albans, Willoughby, South Australia 5222
Best for: switching off without sacrificing comfort
Sleeps: two | Bedrooms: one
Don’t take this tiny home’s quaint size at face value – The Passage is designed for year-round enjoyment and has much to offer. The cabin pairs double-glazed windows, French linen and an indoor wood-burning fireplace with panoramic ocean views and a fully equipped kitchen. Set on a working sheep farm on Kangaroo Island, just 10 minutes from the ferry and tucked into rolling hills overlooking Backstairs Passage, The Passage offers a serene way to experience the island’s rugged beauty without sacrificing comfort. The outdoor wood-fired bath is a real highlight, facing uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape.
“The outdoor tub was a highlight: soaking under the stars, and even spotting a shooting star, felt pretty magical. The views are absolutely breathtaking, and the whole place is incredibly quiet and peaceful,” said one five-star review.
Location: Cuttlefish Bay
Best for: exploring both the east and west
Sleeps: six | Bedrooms: three
Wake up to kangaroos, wallabies and echidnas at your doorstep at Sea Loft, a boutique retreat on a private five-acre property bordering a Native Vegetation Reserve on Kangaroo Island. Sleeping up to four adults and two children, the home encapsulates the best of the island’s scenery, all while providing the perfect base to explore both the east and west in equal delight.
“A magical experience with a picture perfect location and ample firewood supplied by our host for a cosy night. We also got to experience kangaroos coming up to the house. It was peaceful with stunning decor and a gorgeous view,” said one five-star review.
Location: Kingscote
Best for: a romantic escape
Sleeps: two | Bedrooms: one
This Scandinavian-inspired tiny home is the place to be if you’re keen for an intimate weekend away by the sea. Bright interiors, an indoor fireplace and serene coastal views mere steps from the ocean allow for rest at every corner. Located as one of three tiny homes on the site, each spaced around 150 metres apart, it offers a sense of privacy unlike any other, while every booking supports ocean conservation through the Australian Ocean Laboratory.
“A tiny home away from home; the hot tub and electric blinds were a highlight,” said one five-star review.
Location: North Cape
Best for: a gathering of sorts
Sleeps: six | Bedrooms: three
Just 150 meters from Vivonne Bay, this brand-new three-bedroom luxury retreat is designed for indulgent coastal escapes. The home features three spacious queen bedrooms, an oversized ensuite bathtub, six-person spa bath and private barrel sauna, alongside a beautifully furnished lounge with a fireplace and a fully equipped chef’s kitchen. Dine on the indoor-outdoor courtyard, featuring expansive windows overlooking the surrounding treeline, where koalas be spotted just metres from the balcony.
“We loved settling in by the fireplace with a complimentary glass of champagne before enjoying a home-cooked dinner made with beautiful local produce. The fully stocked kitchen made cooking and relaxing in for the evening so easy and enjoyable,” said one five-star review on the property, which has an average five star rating and is listed in the top 10 per cent of homes on Airbnb.
Location: Vivonne Bay
Best for: spectacular coastal views
Sleeps: four | Bedrooms: two
Luxurious and grounded in nature, Hawks Nest is a luxurious holiday home set on a private 110-acre property on Kangaroo Island’s North Coast, nestled between Stokes Bay and Snelling Beach. The retreat faces sweeping coastal views over the island’s untamed landscape and golden shores, and with privacy at its very core, where guests can experience Kangaroo Island’s wildlife up close and personal.
“It was worth it to experience the sun setting and watch the resident pelican fishing in the surf. A highlight was the Kangaroos coming up to the terrace every evening to take the food left out,” said one five-star review of the property, which is listed in the top five per cent of homes on Airbnb.”
Location: Middle River
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