What is Admirals Arch on Kangaroo Island?
Admirals Arch is a dramatic natural rock arch at Cape du Couedic in Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island. It is home to a colony of long-nosed fur seals.
The arch was formed by waves, wind and rain eroding the limestone and calcrete of the cape over thousands of years. Stalactites hang from its roof, a reminder that it was once part of a cave.
A boardwalk leads down from the Cape du Couedic Lighthouse to a viewing platform beneath the arch. From there, visitors watch seals resting on rocks and playing in the surging water.
Seals and lighthouse
Long-nosed fur seals, also called New Zealand fur seals, breed and rest at the site. Their numbers have recovered strongly since seal hunting ended in the 1800s.
The Cape du Couedic Lighthouse was completed in 1909.
The area was affected by the 2019-20 bushfires, and the site was closed for repairs before reopening to visitors.
Visitors are asked to stay on the boardwalk and keep quiet so that resting seals are not disturbed. The cape is exposed to strong winds and huge Southern Ocean swells, which crash spectacularly against the rocks. Remarkable Rocks lies only a short drive away, so most visitors see both on the same day.
Did You Know?
Cape du Couedic is named after a French naval officer, Charles du Couedic.