Sea lions at Seal Bay
Seal Bay is the only place in Australia where you can walk on the sand with a wild Australian sea lion colony. The guided beach tour is the must-do. Pups in summer, breeding pairs year round, and the ranger does the talking so you can concentrate on watching.
Book the guided beach tour on the National Parks SA site. The self-guided boardwalk is a cheaper fallback but the beach tour is the experience you remember.
Fur seals at Admirals Arch
Admirals Arch sits at the south-west tip in Flinders Chase. The boardwalk drops down to a sea-cliff cavern with hundreds of long-nosed fur seals lounging on the rocks below.
Best in seal-pup season (October to December) when the population on the rocks doubles. Late afternoon light makes the arch itself photograph properly.
Koalas at Hanson Bay
Hanson Bay Sanctuary runs a self-guided koala walk along a creek line, with markers and recent-sighting boards at the start. You will see koalas on most visits, usually 3 to 8 across the loop.
Limited daily numbers. Book before you go. The walk takes about 45 minutes at a slow pace and the cafe at the start does decent coffee for the drive afterwards.
Kangaroos, wallabies and echidnas
You will see Western Grey kangaroos and Tammar wallabies on the island without trying. Best places: the open grazing land around Parndana, the lawns of every accommodation property at dusk, and the side of the Playford Highway from late afternoon onwards.
Echidnas are the surprise. Look for them ambling along the road verges in spring and autumn. Slow down for them. They are slow.
Birds, raptors and the dolphin pod
Raptor Domain runs flying displays with wedge-tailed eagles, barn owls and barking owls. The 45-minute show is the most engaging wildlife experience for kids and adults alike.
The Penneshaw dolphin pod cruises past the headland most mornings. Stand on the headland walk at 8 am and you will likely see them inside half an hour.
Sea eagles nest along the south-coast cliffs. You see them on the kayak tours upstream from Harriet River and from the cliff walks near Cape du Couedic.
How to build a wildlife trip
Wildlife mornings, beach or food afternoons, early dinners. Three or four nights is the realistic minimum. One day on the east (Seal Bay, a beach, sunset), one day west (Hanson Bay koalas, Admirals Arch, Remarkable Rocks at sunset), and the rest of your days slowed down.
Be off the gravel roads by sunset. Animal strikes are the main risk after dark. Stick to sealed roads after sundown and you will see more animals the next morning.