That is a shame, as Kangaroo Island is a really beautiful place, but it is the third biggest island in Australia. Before the bad bush fires, we used to stay there annually in accommodation on both ends of the island (Penneshaw, on north east coast of Dudley Peninsula, near the ferry terminal, and at Flinders Chase National Park at the opposite end of the island). Whilst at Penneshaw we would tour the beautiful Dudley Peninsula - beaches, parks, winery, cafe with spectacular views, lighthouse. It has it all for day trippers without the long boring distances. The tourist information at Penneshaw sells local products, which saves you driving to all the individual places throughout the island. If you have a week or two for a holiday, there are other beautiful places to stay, which we do on day tours from our accommodation.
Do you know why everything was boarded up and closed? Maybe they are still being effected by the bushfires.