KANGAROO ISLAND
A popular summertime escape from the rigors of mainland life to the isolation of the Southern Ocean, Kangaroo Island (pop. 4000) is located across the Backstairs Passage from the South Australian Fleurieu Peninsula. At 156km long, it's Australia's third-larg¬est island. With 30% of its land contained in national parks, Kangaroo Island teems with well-protected flora and fauna. The sprawling Flinders Chase National Park occupies the island's western corner, allowing both distinctive indigenous wildlife and endangered mainland species to thrive. Visitors enjoy strolling among snoozing sea lions or the much-hyped little penguins, past the awesome geological formations of Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch, and Kelly Hill Caves, or down the pleasant swimming beaches and small town streets of Kingscote and Penneshaw. The winters can be a bit lonely, but if it's solitude you seek, you'll find it here. "Nature's Pleasure Island" is pretty much left to nature as crowds slow and cooler temperatures set in.