Stokes Bay

When it comes to beaches on Kangaroo Island, many visitors head for the South Coast and never look back behind them. An hour west of Kingscote, however, Stokes Bay is a north coast outpost that can rival any south coast shoreline. In fact, the overall emptiness and rustic isolation add a degree of romance to this coastline, where a small campground and a handful of holiday homes are the only development around.
Aside from the white sand beach and the bluffs, the main highlight of Stokes Bay is the natural rock pool for swimming. This protected lagoon is the perfect place for wading in the water with small children, and you can listen to the rumble of crashing surf from the protected confines of the pool. Once finished soaking in the pool, head next door to Lathami Conservation Park on a search for endangered birds. The Glossy Black Cockatoo—of which only 250 remain—is only found on Kanagaroo Island, and one of the highest concentrations is located within this park less than a mile from the sands of Stokes Bay.

Practical Info

Stokes Bay is located 1 hour and 15 minutes from the main town of Kingscote, and nearly 2 hours from the ferry terminal at the small town of Penneshaw. The only facilities at the campground are toilets, and there are a small amount of rental homes for those who want to stay overnight.