Welcome to Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

Hanson Bay CABINS HAVE REOPENED.bOOKINGS CAN ONLY BE MADE BY EMAILING STAY@HANSONBAY.COM.AU See Tours page for more information ABOUT VISITING THE SANCTUARY.

Welcome to Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, a privately-owned conservation sanctuary focused on providing habitat for native animals to live in the wild. Since 1997 the Sanctuary has worked to conserve and protect the natural resources within its boundaries, especially the native Australian flora and fauna.

The bushfires of January 2020 ravaged the Sanctuary and destroyed two thirds of the cabins and the Covid-19 travel restrictions added insult to injury, but we are incredibly happy to announce that we have now reopened. The sanctuary can only be visited by prebooked guided tour. Please see the Tours page for more information. Cabins can only be booked via email (see cabins page). Because Australia is not yet open for international visitors, we’ve left up photos and videos from before the fire, to inspire us and all future guests on our journey forward. We hope to see you soon.

On 3 January, 2020 the bushfire that started in the Ravine area of Flinders Chase National Park roared through the Sanctuary.

The flames consumed most the buildings and much of the habitat in the Sanctuary and also burned down to the coast and destroyed the Hanson Bay Cabins. Many native animals were lost in the fire. Injured animals were sent to veterinary triage in the early days post fire.

After the fires, HBWS took the unprecedented step of partnering with Cleland Wildlife Park in the Adelaide Hills and sent 28 koalas to Cleland as an insurance colony against another catastrophic event. Even after sending the koalas to Cleland, there are still 40+ healthy, wild koalas living in and around the Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary is moving from the Recovery phase to the Re-Opening Phase. Animals that survived the fire were closely monitored; the Sanctuary took the extraordinary steps of supplementing food sources for several weeks while the native plant life recovered.

The wildlife is amazingly resilient and at the Sanctuary we believe the story of the fire – destruction and regeneration – is compelling. Fire is often a part of the Australian environment’s life cycle. The rebirth of the Australian Bush is a fascinating thing to witness, and we hope to share it with you soon.

Before the Covid-19 travel restrictions, several groups of volunteers spent time at the Sanctuary helping with the cleanup. We are so appreciative of support and we look forward to welcoming visitors and volunteers back to the Sanctuary.

The 2,000 hectare (5,000 acres) Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the western end of Kangaroo Island, between the Kelly Hill Caves Conservation Park and the Flinders Chase National Park.

It is bordered by thousands of hectares of protected wilderness lands as well as the Great Southern Ocean. It is the gateway to one of South Australia's most iconic wilderness areas and is connected to the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail which provides walking access to Remarkable Rocks. Pristine beaches, spectacular coastline, old growth maritime bush land and forest plus abundant wildlife combine to make this area one of Australia's most awe-inspiring places. 

Kangaroo Island’s Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for its abundant native bird and animal wildlife.

Australian wildlife is predominantly nocturnal so it is most active between dusk and dawn. Recent visitors to the Sanctuary have encountered Australian native animals such as Koalas, Kangaroos, Tammar Wallabies, Possums, Echidnas, the Rosenburg Goanna, and the Bush Stone Curlew. The Sanctuary has also been known as a bird watchers paradise with regular viewings of Blue Wrens, Scarlet Robins, Lorikeets, Crimson Rosellas, Black Cockatoos, Scrub Wrens, Bush Stone-Curlews, Crescent Honey-eaters, Banded Plovers, and Cape Barren Geese. Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is recognised as a diverse and pristine ecosystem.  Over 190 native plant species have been recorded on the property.

Please share your details with us and we will keep you updated on our progress.