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
- 7.6 km one way
- Duration
- 2 - 2.5 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
- 12 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
- Day 4, Grassdale Section
- Day 5, Kelly Hill Section (below on this page)
Review of this Trail
In December 2016 we walked and reviewed the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. Read the review.
This section: Day 5, Kelly Hill Section
Tea Tree Campsite to Kelly Hill Caves
2.5 hours, 7.5km
The final day continues to follow the Hanson Bay Hike, past Grassdale Lagoon, watch out for birdlife, especially in the early morning. The inland walk continues into Kelly Hills, through the taller forest before meeting the Burgess Hike. On a short sidetrip here you can see the old entrance to Kelly Hill Caves. Back on the main trail, watch out for the craters which feed water into the caves below. Nearing Kelly Hills Caves Visitor Centre, there is a celebration spot marking the end of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail.
Photos
Some of the craters that drain into the caves below at Kelly Hills
The walking trail passes Grassdale Lagoon
Walking past a beach on Grassdale Lagoon
Walking along the Hanson Bay Hike near Kelly Hill Caves
Walking through the shady forest on the Hanson Bay Hike
Junction with the Hanson Bay Hike and Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail
Burgess Hike and May Walk
Walking through the forest on the Hanson Bay Hike
Hiking through the sugar gum forest on the Burgess Hike and May Walk at Kelly Hill Caves
The finishing trailhead near Kelly Hill Caves. You can use the pole on the right to place cameras
The finishing trailhead near Kelly Hill Caves
The picnic area at Kelly Hill Caves