Inspiration

How to wring the most from your Kangaroo Island getaway

Recharge your batteries and reconnect with nature amongst the unreal beauty of South Australia’s Kangaroo Island. Teeming with wildlife, fresh produce and rugged coastlines, the island is enormous -- the third largest off the Australian mainland – and just begging to be explored. Think sea lions soaking up the sun on clear, bright beaches; hikes that weave through old growth native flora, through gorges and up to lookouts; and an artisan food and wine scene with a reputation for purity and taste. Though more than a week on the island is ideal to properly sink your teeth into everything it has to offer, if you’ve only got a day or two, it’s still possible to get a delicious taste of all the highlights – if you do it right! Here are our recommendations for getting the most out of your short escape to Kangaroo Island.

If you’re self-guiding your Kangaroo Island adventure, sort your ferry out early

Visitors to Kangaroo Island can either book a transfer as a passenger or with a vehicle – be it car or motorbike. The ferry leaves from Cape Jervis – two hours from Adelaide – and takes you on a stunning 45-minute journey across to Penneshaw. The on-board café is licensed and serves tasty refreshments, and there’s even WiFi on board so you can send your friends and family some snaps of the surrounding beauty as you pull in! Tickets can also be purchased for the return journey.

From Adelaide, book in a one-day experience tour

Soak up some of Kangaroo Island’s most golden features on a one-day experience tour leaving from Adelaide . Go googly-eyed at sea lions basking in the sunshine on the Seal Bay Conservation Walk, indulge in a long lunch at Vivonne Bay Bistro, hand feed kangaroos at Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park and explore the incredible Flinders Chase National Park and Remarkable Rocks. It’s an early start, which means you might get treated to a sunrise out the window on the way; and you’ll be dropped back in Adelaide when it finishes after a late-night ferry ride home.

Or do a daytrip that focuses on the island’s fresh local produce – and birds of prey!

After a pretty morning drive through the Fleurieu Peninsula, you’ll board a ferry and jet across to Kangaroo Island in just 45 minutes for this great value day . First up, you’ll have a fascinating experience at the Raptor Domain’s Birds of Prey Display, before sitting down for a two-course lunch and guided tour of the famous Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery. Leave some space for dessert though, because you’ll be stopping at Clifford’s Honey Farm (you’ve got to try the ice-cream – and the ale!) and False Cape Wines for a tasting. The whole experience is a treat for your tastebuds and is expertly guided by knowledgeable drivers and guides who’ll equip you with a host of local knowledge.

For more information about Kangaroo Island experiences, check out our catalogue of curated experiences that will ensure your visit is extra special. From one day Kangaroo Island tours from Adelaide, multi-day itineraries or independent travel with Kangaroo Island passenger and vehicle ferry tickets, we have a range of experiences available to book online here.

Experience Oz

We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Custodians of Country and their connections and continuous care for the skies, lands and waterways throughout Australia.