Kangaroo Island.

An hour's ferry ride from the mainland, Kangaroo Island feels like a pocket of Australia preserved in amber. Third-largest of the country's islands, its draw lies in its unmanaged, fence-free scale, where native koalas, sea lions, echidnas, and kangaroos outnumber the human residents. The geography dictates the adventure here, bookended by the wind-sculpted granite of Remarkable Rocks and the secluded, white-sand cove of Stokes Bay. Visitors can trek a portion of the rugged 66-kilometer Wilderness Trail or opt for a slower pace tasting local Ligurian honey and botanic gin. Because the island's raw coastal landscapes and wildlife sanctuaries are highly spread out, it rewards those who bypass a quick day trip in favor of a multi-day, self-drive exploration.