The Kelly Hill Caves are only accessible by guided tour, in which you'll learn about the site's geological history while walking the underground boardwalks and experiencing a light show illuminating the unique rock formations. Above ground, a number of bushwalks and nature trails set out from the Kelly Hill Visitor Centre. For a longer trek, the Hanson Bay Hike is an 11-mile (18-kilometer) round-trip trail, passing lagoons, woodlands, and sand dunes.
Be sure to book your tour in advance and plan to arrive early at the site. (No refunds are given for late arrivals.)
Along with guided tours, the Kelly Hill Visitor Centre offers storage lockers, restrooms, a small café and gift shop, and picnic areas.
Wear comfortable shoes and clothes.
There is a steep staircase into and out of the caves, and low ceilings in some places. For the above-ground trails, travelers with limited mobility will need assistance.
Kelly Hill Conservation Park is located along the south coast of Kangaroo Island, close to Flinders Chase National Park and the Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Cave tours set out from the Kelly Hill Visitor Centre, which is about a 1-hour drive from Kingscote or an about a 90-minute drive from Penneshaw, along the South Coast Road. There’s no public transportation to the park, so it’s best to join a guided tour if you aren't driving.
The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and cave tours typically run between morning and late afternoon. With constant temperatures of 60°F (16°C), visiting the Kelly Hill Caves is possible regardless of the weather outside. Hiking in the park is also possible year-round—pack a picnic in the summer months and set out early to avoid the midday heat; in the winter, take advantage of the sheltered picnic areas and look out for wild orchids and fungi along the trails.
The Kelly Hill Caves are one of many natural wonders found on Kangaroo Island. Head into the nearby Flinders Chase National Park to admire the striking rock formations of Admirals Rock and the Remarkable Rocks, stop by Seal Bay to spot Australian fur seals lounging on the sandy shores, and take a walk through the Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, where wild koalas hang out in the shady eucalyptus forests. Along the north coast, Snellings Beach and Stokes Bay are among the best beaches, or you could head inland for a scenic walk around the Murray Lagoon.