Looking for trails open after the bushfires?
5 Feb 2020: Kangaroo Island was devasted by bushfire in January 2020. Some parks and trails remain closed. View our article of 13 walking trails open post-bushfire.
- Distance
- 18 km return
- Duration
- 6-7 hours return
- Moderate
- Terrain
- Flat
- Part of a longer trail
- Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail
- Park
- Kelly Hill Conservation Park
- Region
- Kangaroo Island
- Download maps & GPS files
- 1 map PDF
- 2 GPS files
- Photos
- 13 photosJump to Photos section
- Travel options
- Car
About the Walking Trail
This hike is part of Day 5 of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail.
The hike can also be done by other walkers as a single section, without the need for a Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail Pass or ticket. If walking just this section, allow a full day for the return trip or try to arrange a pick-up.
This spectacular trail meanders from Kelly Hill Visitor Centre to Hanson Bay. It passes through banksia heath, Pink Gum woodlands, mallee and coastal heath, alongside freshwater lagoons, and over dunes to viewpoints that provide wonderful vistas inland and along the coast. Allow most of the day for the return trip or try to arrange a pick-up.
Access: This hike begins at Kelly Hill Visitor Centre, and the beginning takes in the Burgess Hike and May Walk.
Photos
The walking trail comes out onto Hanson Bay
The walking trail comes out onto the beach at Hanson Bay
The walking trail passes Grassdale Lagoon
South West River near Hanson Bay
This boat is used by guests on the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail to cross the South West River
Walking along the Hanson Bay Hike near Kelly Hill Caves
Walking near Grassdale Lagoon
Walking past a beach on Grassdale Lagoon
Walking through the forest on the Hanson Bay Hike
Walking through the shady forest on the Hanson Bay Hike