Exceptional Kangaroo Island

28/05/2026

🥳 Platypus spotted at Rocky River!

Some lucky guests, hosted by EKI guide Shauna, were recently treated to this fantastic Platypus encounter at Rocky River in Flinders Chase National Park.

A small population of Platypus were introduced to Kangaroo Island in the 1920s, in an effort to save them from extinction. Numbers remain low, and encounters are very opportunistic, so this was extra special!

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25/04/2026

25/03/2026

Update on Willoughby the Echidna… 💛

Back in November, we shared the story of this resilient short-beaked echidna puggle after it was rescued from Willoughby Road on Kangaroo Island. Found vulnerable and out of its nursery burrow, likely due to a hungry goanna, Willoughby began a long road to recovery under the expert care of Dr. Peggy Rismiller.

We are thrilled to share an update on Willoughby’s incredible progress. Now over 220 days old, Willoughby is no longer the tiny, pink hatchling we first met. This little survivor has developed a stunning coat of blonde spines and is rapidly reaching major developmental milestones.

As a monotreme, the growth process for a puggle is slow and steady. While Willoughby spent months tucked away in a specialized artificial burrow, mimicking the security of a natural nursery, the time has come to explore the world. We are seeing more and more independent behavior as Willoughby learns to navigate and forage, preparing for an eventually wilder life.

The journey from a tiny puggle found on the side of the road to a fully grown adult is a long one, but Willoughby is hitting every mark. We remain incredibly grateful to Michael for the initial rescue, and to Peggy and Mike for their unwavering dedication to Willoughby’s 24-hour care over these many months.

30/01/2026

Vici becomes an Australian Citizen! 🇦🇺🦘

Congratulations to our very own Vici Hasenau, who officially became an Australian Citizen earlier this week! To celebrate the occasion, Janet, Craig, Jamie, and Jane joined Vici’s partner Mark to cheer her on as she took the pledge.

Vici’s journey to this moment is a special one. Originally from Bamenohl, Germany (a town with a population even smaller than Kangaroo Island!), she first fell in love with Australia as a teenager. That connection was sealed in 2009 during a post-graduation trip, which included a two-day visit to KI that she loved!

In 2017, Vici returned on a Working Holiday visa for two reasons: a love for this country and, of course, love itself! Since then, she has become an integral part of the EKI family. For the past four years, Vici has been part of our office team, managing reservations and operations, while her partner Mark serves as one of our expert guides.

For Vici, Australia has long felt like home. Becoming a citizen is the final piece of the puzzle, deepening her connection to the wildlife, the landscape, and the "amazing community" she is so proud to officially join.

Please join us in giving Vici a huge "Hooray!" in the comments! 🐨✨

01/01/2026

Celebrating 40 Years! 🥂

In 1986, Peter and Cate Telfer started a small venture called Adventure Charters of Kangaroo Island. Peter handled the marine side, and in 1988, a young guide named Craig Wickham joined to lead the land-based tours. This was just the beginning of an amazing 40-year journey.

The Change in Ownership
Following Peter’s sudden passing in 1990, Craig purchased the business. Three years later, Craig's now-wife Janet (married in 1994) moved to Kangaroo Island, and joined the business. Operating from their family home with a team of five, they focused exclusively on land-based touring, setting the stage for what would become an award-winning eco-tourism operation.

The Growth
By 2001, the business had outgrown the home office. We moved to our current Playford Highway location, adding a commercial kitchen and a dedicated fleet facility. In 2005, we officially became Exceptional Kangaroo Island. It wasn’t just a rebrand; it was a promise to provide a "rounded and complete experience" - a mini-DMC that showcased the whole Island.

The "Can-Do" Philosophy
You don’t survive 40 years without facing the storm. From the 1989 pilot strike and the GFC to the 2019/20 bushfires and a global pandemic, our philosophy remained the same: Focus on what we CAN do.

Strategically, this meant caring for the guests we had, preparing for those coming next, and always looking forward. Even in the wake of the fires and COVID-19, we chose to grow - acquiring Kangaroo Island Wilderness Tours and launching KI E-Bikes and Walk Kangaroo Island.

World-Class Recognition
That resilience took us to the global stage:
• Twice named Best Australian Experience.
• Advanced Eco Accreditation for 28 years.
• Featured in the NY Times, Forbes, and TIME.
• Craig was named the Wanderlust Best Specialist Guide in the World.

The People Behind the Milestone
Today, we are a team of 28, supporting over 50 local businesses. But our greatest pride is our staff longevity. We are honoured to have Tim (33 years), Jamie (27 years), and Dave, Kathy, and Steve (10+ years) leading the way.

As we celebrate 40 years in 2026, the Wickham family legacy continues. With Craig’s son Blair in the business and his new twin boys growing up with KI in their blood, our connection to this Island is stronger than ever.

Thanks to all of you who have supported us along this journey, and here's to many more!

26/11/2025

We recently experienced a rare close encounter with a baby short-beaked echidna, known as a “puggle,” when former team member Michael found one injured on Willoughby Road on the east end of Kangaroo Island. This puggle was later named Willoughby, as a nod to the road where it was found.

Willoughby was dropped into our care, awaiting collection by world echidna expert, Dr Peggy Rismiller. Peggy believes the most likely explanation as to how Willoughby came to be found outside of its nursery burrow is that a Rosenberg’s goanna dug the puggle out, with the intent to eat it.

At this age and stage of development, a puggle would ordinarily be hidden away in a nursery burrow prepared by its mother. To ensure Willoughby feels secure, Peggy has created an artificial burrow for the puggle to rest in.

Short-beaked echidnas are fascinating and unique creatures, belonging to a group of mammals called monotremes - egg-laying mammals. Along with the Long-beaked Echidna and the Platypus, they are the only animals in this family. Uniquely, female echidnas do not have ni***es or a traditional pouch. Instead, the mother’s abdomen contracts to form a ‘pseudo-pouch’ to hold the hatchling, and milk is secreted through patches of skin on her abdomen.

This is why you see Dr Peggy feeding Willoughby from the palm of her hand; allowing the puggle to lap up the milk formula mimics the natural feeding process.

We do not yet know the gender of the puggle, as echidnas possess no obvious external differences. An ultrasound or blood test is the only way to determine this for now.

Having been rescued, Willoughby is suckling well and is gaining weight. A big thank you goes to Michael as the rescuer, and to Peggy and Mike for the continued care as Willoughby grows into a full-sized, spiny echidna.

17/10/2025

Proud mum showing off her latest little backpack! 🥰🐨

29/09/2025

Echidna Train! 🦔🚂

Our new GM, Dave, recently had a special wildlife encounter on his way home from work - an echidna train!

These fascinating mating rituals can last for up to six weeks. A single female is followed by several hopeful males, each competing for the chance to mate. Over time, the “train” shortens as males drop away, leaving just one determined suitor to become her chosen partner.

These rare sightings remind us how lucky we are to be able to showcase wildlife in the wild - truly unforgettable!

Interested in learning more about echidnas? Our 3 day private Conservation Connection tour includes a session with world echidna expert Dr Peggy Rismiller.

04/09/2025

We have some more big news to share! 🎉

Please give a warm welcome to our new General Manager, Dave Bell!

Dave has worked extensively in tourism and hospitality roles both in Australia and the UK for over 20 years. He landed on Kangaroo Island for the first time in 2020 and has since settled in his own slice of paradise on the island. Dave and his wife Broc (along with their trusty canine companion, 'Roo') love the outdoors, wildlife, and fully embrace and enjoy all the unique elements of what living on Kangaroo Island has to offer.

We're thrilled to have him on board and as the newest member of the Exceptional Kangaroo Island team! 🦘

21/08/2025

It’s Joey season! 😍🐨

With spring just around the corner, we’re seeing plenty of joeys - koalas, kangaroos and wallabies - poking their heads out for a look around. 💙

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