Kangaroo Island, Australia ? The airline attendant in the Adelaide Airport on the mainland tells passengers to bring only one bag. The plane can’t carry more than that, she says.

It’s hard not to feel a little queasy when walking onto the tarmac and eyeing the tiny twin-engine Cessna. But except for a few bumps, the 30-minute flight to Kangaroo Island went smoothly.

Waves crash against the rocks at Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island, Australia. Seal Bay is one of the places on Kangaroo Island that offers breathtaking views of the ocean.

On the ground, visitors are greeted by some of the locals which come in various shapes, sizes and textures.

Wallabies, koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, penguins and sea lions wander this unspoiled stretch of land, sharing with visitors its blue waters, grand views and clean air.

Kangaroo Island is perhaps the best place in Australia to see wildlife in a natural setting. Because of its isolation from the mainland, the island’s quiet shore has preserved its natural diversity.

Large populations of native animals, particularly wallabies and opossums, thrive here because of the absence of foxes and rabbits. Substantial portions of bushland remain untouched, and the island’s plant catalogue lists more than 850 species.

The weather is mild almost year-round.

Discovered by Matthew Flinders in 1802, the 96-mile-long island is the third-largest island off the coast of Australia.

Visitors also can come by ferry from Cape Jervis on the mainland to Penneshaw. They can opt to bring their vehicle on the ferry or rent one at Kingscote, Penneshaw or the airport. There is no public transit system or taxi service, but shuttle services are available from the airport and ferry terminal. Although four-wheel drives are not necessary, islanders suggest renting one there are only two paved roads on KI.

So much to see

A koala sits in a tree on Kangaroo Island, perhaps the best place in Australia to see wildlife in a natural setting.

A good chunk of the island can be toured in about two days, says Anthony Bennett, a tour operator at Adventure Charters of KI.

“It just depends on what you want to see,” Bennett says. “We can hop in the truck and see just about everything if you’re up to it.”

Tours can also be taken at a leisurely pace, allowing visitors to sleep in, take a walk in the bush, go fishing or scuba diving.

A popular spot is Flinders Chase National Park, a 190,00- acre park that spans the entire west side of the island. The Rocky River Homestead, which was once a small farm, is now the park’s headquarters.

Flinders Chase is the perfect natural setting to catch a mid-afternoon glimpse of kangaroos, opossums, echidnas, platypuses and many exotic birds, including the rare Cape Barren Goose a pale gray bird with black markings near the tips of its wing feathers and tail. The bird, which was once one of the rarest in the world, can be easily spotted with its pink legs, black feet and striking bright greenish yellow marking on its bill.

Another favorite spot is the lighthouse at Cape du Couedic on the southwest tip of the island. There are three cottages near the Cape that are named after vessels that serviced the island Throughbridge, Karatta and the Pardana and were home to a lighthouse keeper and his family.

A stroll farther down the coast leads to the Remarkable Rocks huge natural granite sculptures overlooking the bright, blue sea. Carved out in part by wind and water, the naturally sculptured rock formation is a monument to nature.

The nearby Kelly Hill Caves also offers its own visually stunning example of nature’s handiwork with its limestone caves topped by high, rolling calcareous sand dunes.

Don’t have to rough it

Seascape on Emu Bay, a contemporary five-star home on five acres of land on the north coast, offers 180-degree views of the coast and caters to visitors looking for a relaxing atmosphere.

Hosts Jenny and Jean Pierre Bloemendal own the house and welcome guests to have dinner, cocktails and a nightcap with them. Dinner, which includes a three-course meal and a glass of wine, is about $33 per person; lunch about $15.

There are also several dining-out options, from Italian to traditional Australian food, such as kangaroo and King George Whiting. Marron, a fresh water crayfish, is also popular.

Among the favorite restaurants locals recommend are the Cape Willoughby Cafe, Ellson’s Seaview, Grimshaws and Gum Creek Marron.

“We have just about everything to tempt your pallet,” said Lars Toman, a local at Cape Willoughby Cafe. “And if you like seafood, you’ve just hit the jackpot.”

Besides its fresh and saltwater fish, the island is also known for its produce.

Surrounded by the sea, island industries include wool, free-range poultry, honey and eucalyptus farming.

Islanders seem to prefer sheep’s milk yogurt from Island Pure Sheep Dairy with a dollop of honey from Island Ligurian Honey or Cliffords Honey Farm. Try an Island Sting, an indigenous honey liqueur that packs a punch.

The island also has dairies that produce the country’s best brie and camembert cheeses.

Another favorite is the sheep’s Haloumi cheese, a mild semi-hard cheese that can be sliced, fried, roasted or grilled without becoming liquid like most cheeses. Grilling Haloumi with a lemon on top is a zesty entree before heading out for a swim or snorkel.

Some of the island’s most breathtaking views come at dusk, when the sky turns a majestic maroon, mixed with bits of purple and orange.

Pouring a glass of wine from an island vineyard and sitting on his back porch star gazing is one of Josh Hatman’s favorite ways to end a day.

“There’s nothing more amazing than being this close to nature,” says Hatman, who moved here from London six years ago. “You feel really at peace with yourself and with life. The stars put on a show for you every night. The world comes alive.

“What could be better than that?”