KIWT - Day 2: Maupertuis Section (14km)

Day two of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail reveals the wild character of the island’s southern coast, with the 14-kilometre Maupertuis Section offering a powerful mix of isolation, beauty, and the constant presence of the sea. This moderate, grade 4 walk takes around six hours and leads from Cup Gum Campground, near Snake Lagoon, to the sheltered haven of Hakea Campground within Flinders Chase National Park.

Setting out from Cup Gum, the trail follows the Snake Lagoon Hike before breaking away toward the coast. The climb up the rocky headland where the Rocky River meets the Southern Ocean rewards you with sweeping views that stretch endlessly southward. It’s a humbling moment to stand there knowing that beyond the horizon lies Antarctica, with nothing but the deep ocean between.

As you trace the coastline, the raw beauty of the landscape unfolds. Birds of prey circle overhead, dolphins glide through the turquoise water, and in the cooler months between June and early October, Southern Right Whales can sometimes be seen breaching offshore. The trail descends to the pure white sands of Maupertuis Beach, where the relics of shipwrecks remind you of the sea’s untamed power and the lives it has claimed along this rugged shore.

Climbing once again, you’ll pass through heathlands and coastal scrub, with occasional glimpses of the Cape du Couedic Lighthouse watching over the headland. The view across Maupertuis Bay is one to pause for, especially in the shifting light of late afternoon. From here, the path turns inland through quieter terrain, leading gently to Hakea Campground. Nestled in a sandy swale, it provides welcome protection from the wind and the soothing rhythm of distant surf.

If you have the energy, consider a short detour to Admirals Arch before dusk. This natural rock formation, carved by relentless waves, is home to a colony of fur seals and makes for an unforgettable place to watch the sun set behind the Southern Ocean.