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
- 15.3 km one way
- Duration
- 4.5 - 6.5 hours
- Suitable for
- Hiking, Trail Running
- Grade 5, Trek
- Terrain
- Undulating
- Part of a longer trail
- Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail
- Park
- Flinders Chase National Park
- Region
- Kangaroo Island
- Download maps & GPS files
- 2 GPS files
- 1 website link
- Photos
- 21 photosJump to Photos section
- Travel options
- Car
About the Walking Trail
Spend 5 days hiking the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail along the spectacular coastline of south-west Kangaroo Island.
We’ve listed each of the 5 sections on a separate entry:
- Day 1, Rocky River Section
- Day 2, Maupertuis Section
- Day 2 or 3, optional sidetrip to Admirals Arch
- Day 3, Sanderson Section (below on this page)
- Day 4, Grassdale Section
- Day 5, Kelly Hill Section
Review of this Trail
In December 2016 we walked and reviewed the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. Read the review.
This section: Day 3, Sanderson Section
Hakea Campsite to Banksia Campsite (near Sanderson Bay)
6.5 hours, 13km (15.3km with return sidetrips)
The third day’s hike is truly remote. If you start early, you can arrive at Remarkable Rocks well before any of the day’s crowds. The trail initially heads inland, through taller shady tea trees, before heading out to Remarkable Rocks. The granite boulders appear as seemingly artistic sculptures scattered across a larger granite dome. Returning to the main trail as it heads east, remember to look back to see Remarkable Rocks from any angle no-one else sees it from, as it disappear from view on the horizon. Entering the large Sanderson Bay, you will walk along the cliffs before heading inland, into the shade and away from the winds. Nearing the campsite, there is a short sidetrip down to Sanderson Bay, which if you can play it safe makes a rewarding swim.
Photos
Views into Sanderson Bay
Each day you depart the campsite you'll be wished a great day
A welcome bench for a rest, a few kilometres before Remarkable Rocks
First glimpse of Remarkable Rocks
Looking towards Cape du Couedic from Remarkable Rocks
Remarkable Rocks from the first viewing platform
Remarkable Rocks from the walking trail
Remarkable Rocks Walk
The wheelchair accessible boardwalk to Remarkable Rocks
The wheelchair accessible boardwalk to Remarkable Rocks
Trailhead in carpark at Remarkable Rocks
Looking back down the trail towards Remarkable Rocks
Views into Sanderson Bay
See plenty of Rosenbergs Goannas (a monitor lizard) on the trail
Walking down to Sanderson Beach
On Day 3, from Hakea Campground to Remarkable Rocks the trail consists of mostly 2-3 metre high plants with some shade
Hiking through shady trees near Sanderson Beach
The kitchen and dining shelter at Sanderson Beach. The shelter here differs from others with a viewing platform
The bathroom facilties consist of two toilets, one inside a wheelchair accessible size room. There are two wash basins, one outside as seen here, and the other inside the larger toilet room
There is filtered tap water available in the kitchen area. They recommend to treat all water
There are seats scattered throughout the campgrounds