Why is Kangaroo Island called Kangaroo Island?

Answer 1

Kangaroo island was named by sea explorer Matthew Flinders on his journey to circumnavigate Australia. By the time he and his crew reached the southern shores in March 1802 (having gone in an anti-clockwise direction from Sydney), they had gone without fresh food for four months, living only on salted meats. Upon landing on the island, they found as much fresh food and easy game as they could possibly want, by way of kangaroos. Flinders recorded: 'the whole ship's company was employed this afternoon in the skinning and cleaning of kangaroos' and 'In gratitude for so seasonable a supply, I named this south land KANGAROO ISLAND'.