Visit Kangaroo Island On Your Trip To Australia
Just off the coast of South Australia, lies an island known as Kangaroo Island. This island is truly remarkable; it is a microcosm of a number of Australian landscapes including; white sand dunes; pristine bush land; and magnificent seascapes where rocky cliffs drop into the clear ocean. Because there is such a diverse range of landscapes Island is a great place to go, especially if you dont have the time to see all of Australia.
With such natural beauty it comes as no surprise to learn that this wildlife-rich paradise has been classified as one of Australias National Landscapes; these are areas that are selected for there distinctively Australian natural and cultural significance. Formed by a partnership between Tourism Australia and Parks Australia, The National Landscapes program aims to conserve and promote these treasured areas. In fact Kangaroo Island has long been a shining example of how tourism and conservation can work together.
One of the most noticeable aspects of Kangaroo Island is its sheer scale, only 13km from the mainland it is the size of Singapore. However on Kangaroo Island you could drive for a day and not see anyone. The majority of the native bush land still remains as it was when British explorer Matthew Flinders named in 1802. In addition to this one third is protected as either a National or Conservation Park.
The wildlife on Kangaroo Island is also extremely diverse, despite what the name might suggest. Many of the species of plants or animals that exist on the island are either under threat or do not exist anywhere else in the world. In the course of one day you could come across wallabies, koalas, brush tailed possums, and maybe even the illusive platypus.
But the wildlife and landscapes are not the only attractions; the island also has a fascinating human history. Evidence of stone tools and campsites suggests that Aboriginal people inhabited the Island as early as 16,000 years ago and as recently as 2,000 years ago. It still remains a mystery as to why the Aboriginal people abandon Kangaroo Island only to return again. The first non-Aboriginal people to live on the Island were sealers, escaped convicts, and runaway sailors, seeking refuge in the early 1800s.
So if youre planning a trip to Australia make sure you include a trip to Kangaroo Island; experience the diverse landscapes and wildlife first hand. Encounter the Island as Matthew Flinders did in its true rugged natural beauty.
With such natural beauty it comes as no surprise to learn that this wildlife-rich paradise has been classified as one of Australias National Landscapes; these are areas that are selected for there distinctively Australian natural and cultural significance. Formed by a partnership between Tourism Australia and Parks Australia, The National Landscapes program aims to conserve and promote these treasured areas. In fact Kangaroo Island has long been a shining example of how tourism and conservation can work together.
One of the most noticeable aspects of Kangaroo Island is its sheer scale, only 13km from the mainland it is the size of Singapore. However on Kangaroo Island you could drive for a day and not see anyone. The majority of the native bush land still remains as it was when British explorer Matthew Flinders named in 1802. In addition to this one third is protected as either a National or Conservation Park.
The wildlife on Kangaroo Island is also extremely diverse, despite what the name might suggest. Many of the species of plants or animals that exist on the island are either under threat or do not exist anywhere else in the world. In the course of one day you could come across wallabies, koalas, brush tailed possums, and maybe even the illusive platypus.
But the wildlife and landscapes are not the only attractions; the island also has a fascinating human history. Evidence of stone tools and campsites suggests that Aboriginal people inhabited the Island as early as 16,000 years ago and as recently as 2,000 years ago. It still remains a mystery as to why the Aboriginal people abandon Kangaroo Island only to return again. The first non-Aboriginal people to live on the Island were sealers, escaped convicts, and runaway sailors, seeking refuge in the early 1800s.
So if youre planning a trip to Australia make sure you include a trip to Kangaroo Island; experience the diverse landscapes and wildlife first hand. Encounter the Island as Matthew Flinders did in its true rugged natural beauty.
