Kangaroo Island is a lovely spot, stretching across 4,416 square kilometers—about six times the size of Singapore!
It measures 155 kilometers long and 55 kilometers wide, all nestled away from the mainland by a charming 15-kilometer stretch of ocean called Backstairs Passage.
Less than 5000 people are living on this island.
Getting to Kangaroo Island is simple! You can catch a ferry from Cape Jervis with SeaLink Kangaroo Island, or if you prefer to fly, you can take a Qantas flight straight from Adelaide to Kingscote Airport. Enjoy the journey!
I’m excited to share information about a new golf course being constructed on the island, designed by Darius Oliver.
Instead of focusing on the island itself, let’s discuss this project’s innovative features and potential impact.
Darius is a prominent Australian golf course designer renowned for his contributions to the golfing world. He is the Author and Publisher of the acclaimed Planet Golf series, which showcases exceptional golf destinations.
Additionally, he played a key role as co-designer of the impressive Cape Wickham Links on King Island in Tasmania, further establishing his expertise and influence in the industry.
The Cliffs Kangaroo Island – Preview Play in January 2026
This announcement marks the culmination of over a decade of thoughtful planning and development, setting the stage for what is poised to become one of the most extraordinary golf experiences in the world.
The Cliffs Kangaroo Island is set along the dramatic southern cliffs of Kangaroo Island, offering breathtaking views of the Southern Ocean.
The island’s unique flora and fauna surround the course, creating a unique and unforgettable golfing and visitor experience.
The Cliffs Kangaroo Island is committed to sustainability. Significant environmental work has already been done on-site, including removing over 1,000 noxious plants like box thorns and creating an on-site native plant nursery.
Sam Atkins, Developer and CEO of The Cliffs Kangaroo Island, says
“We’ve planted more than 2,500 native trees and plants and are on track to plant 10,000 more over the
next five years.”
It’s encouraging to see the golf club owners taking steps towards sustainability. I hope they continue this momentum by expanding their efforts into other areas, such as golf course operations, tournament management, social responsibility, and resource conservation.
This would create a more sustainable future for the sport.
The Cliffs Kangaroo Island will feature a stunning clubhouse with a pro shop, bar, restaurant, and corporate and event spaces with sweeping views of the course and surrounding coastline.
Created by South Australian architect Walter Brooke, the clubhouse will use local materials and highlight Kangaroo Island’s premier food and wine offerings, featuring a menu crafted by the group’s executive chef, Katie Allen.
Accommodation on the western end of the property is planned to open later in 2026.
Kangaroo Island – development plans
Kangaroo Island is set to enhance its travel options as it welcomes the larger Qantas Dash-8 aircraft beginning in February 2025.
This upgrade will provide more seating capacity and increase flight frequency, resulting in a remarkable 48% boost in air capacity to the island year on year.
Additionally, SeaLink is making significant strides by introducing two new passenger and car ferries in May 2025, improving the speed, comfort, and availability of ferry services to Kangaroo Island.
These substantial investments align perfectly with the upcoming opening of The Cliffs Kangaroo Island in 2026, promising a bright future for tourism and accessibility on the island.