Kaiki Trail on Granite Island

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Posted 2022-09-28 by The wanderer ⇒ follow

Granite Island is located just a short walk from Victor Harbor, South Australia. The main town is an 85km drive from Adelaide City and has been a popular day trip, weekend and holiday destination for many years.

As its name suggests, Granite Island or Nulcoowarra is made from granite rock. The small island is one of South Australia's Recreational Parks. It is inhabited except for wildlife. You can find fairy penguin colonies, wallabies, numerous sea birds, seals, dolphins, small reptiles and insects, you may also observe whales during certain months of the year.

The easiest and quickest way to get to Granite Island, Victor Harbor is by car. However, you may also catch a train to Seaford and then a bus or if you are in the nearby towns of Goolwa or Port Elliot - check the Cockle Train timetable as trains also run to Victor Harbor.

Granite Island was once home to a whaling station but is now a tourist destination with several activity options for all ages.
Some of these include the horse drawn tram, swimming with tuna, big duck tours, visiting the island's cafe, fishing, swimming near the causeway or walking the Kaiki Loop trail.

The Kaiki walk is a 3.5 km loop trail taking you all around Granite Island. It is an easy walk with some stairs and small hills, the walk takes around 45 minutes to complete. Weather appropriate clothing and sturdy comfortable shoes are recommended for this walk, as it is mostly dirt paths. If planning to explore the island further, you may want to use the toilet facilities located near the cafe and bring some water or snacks with you. Once you get into the loop trail, there are no more facilities in the island.

The Kaiki Walk is open year round, it offers beautiful scenery to explore during different seasons as the flora changes slightly.
The island is an oval like shape and the loop trail surrounds the perimeter of the island. During the walk, you can appreciate 360 degree stunning coastline views, the variety in the landscape and the strength of the ocean around you, as nothing more lies between here and Antarctica. Granite Island is truly a dream for photographers and anyone seeking some solitude, peace, a meditative space in nature or a free memorable activity.

For those with a keen interest in art, the loop walk also features many outdoor sculptures dotted near the walking paths. This exhibition began in 2017 and has been slowly adding new pieces to the existing collection. Some sculptures are easily spotted whilst others are tucked away in trees, on the ground or on rocks. You may also observe some of nature's sculptures carved in immense granite rocks.

From June to September, the island offers a great whale watching spot as the Southern Coast becomes the home to numerous Southern Right Whales who come to take shelter to mate, give birth and nurse their offspring.