Kangaroo Island Itinerary

SPEND THREE DAYS SURROUNDED BY NATURAL WONDERS, RUGGED BEAUTY AND WILDLIFE WITH OUR GUIDE TO KANGAROO ISLAND.

Wind your way on a three-day road trip across Kangaroo Island: South Australia’s paradise for wildlife. Slip away to a sanctuary for wildlife and natural beauty, trading the hustle and bustle of city life for iconic Australian animals, mouth-watering local food and wine, breathtaking scenery and luxury accommodation. Get back to nature with our three-day Kangaroo Island itinerary.

Where to stay

One KI, Kangaroo Island

One Kangaroo Island offers one of Kangaroo Island's best private luxury beachfront accommodation and wildlife experiences. Situated on the beautiful north facing Brown beach, this stunning architectural accommodation features five double king bedrooms (four with en-suites), internal and external entertaining areas, and an expansive deck space providing amazing views along the coastline.

Ecopia Retreat, Kangaroo Island

More than 60 hectares of natural wilderness surrounds Ecopia Retreat, located in the centre of the island. Choose from four bespoke luxury retreats – two Villas, the Residence and The Rise – each designed to be eco-friendly using 100% pure Kangaroo Island rainwater and an off-grid solar energy system. Seal Bay is located just 15 minutes away and Flinders Chase National Park is just 45 minutes.

Hamilton & Dune, Kangaroo Island

Hamilton & Dune are two properties overlooking the pristine, north facing Emu Bay. Hamilton House is a 1960's beach house just 100m from the beach which underwent a complete renovation in 2018 which brought in modern contemporary fittings and luxuries without sacrificing the old world charm. Nearby Dune House is an architecturally designed, light filled and modern house which provides views from every room.

See more Kangaroo Island accommodation here.

Where to eat

Millie Mae's Pantry, Kangaroo Island

Millie Mae's Pantry is in Penneshaw and its lovingly sourced and prepared Kangaroo Island food is dished up daily for breakfast and lunch. Relax in the garden under the established fruit trees and leave with some of the local produce from their pantry store.

The Fig Tree, Kangaroo Island

Tucked off the picture-perfect shores of Kangaroo Island’s Snelling Beach, your table is set under the gnarled branches of the ancient Fig Tree. Planted some 120 years ago to sustain the first settlers of the island, its bending boughs and shaded canopy now provide a magical setting for a feast worthy of a fairy tale. Opening hours are during summer months from early November to Early April. 

Discover more of Kangaroo Island's incredible local produce with our foodie's guide to Kangaroo Island.

Where to drink

Kangaroo Island Spirits

At Kangaroo Island Spirits, native botanicals sourced from around the island are distilled to create some of Australia’s most awarded gins. South Australia's first boutique distillery established in 2005, the cellar door is located half an hour’s drive away from Kingscote in Cygnet River. The tranquil gin garden is the perfect spot to while away the afternoon.

False Cape Wines, Kangaroo Island

False Cape Wines is a cellar door where you can sample and buy minimal intervention wines that honour sustainable and time-honoured wine practices. With a deck perched on the Dudley Peninsula overlooking Terra Rosa soils of limestone on the banks of the Willson River flat, False Cape Wines' cellar door has an idyllic Australian setting. Keep your eyes open for the local mob of Kangaroos.

Kangaroo Island Brewery

Tucked on 20 acres of picturesque land just outside Kingscote, settle in for the afternoon and sample your way through eight different craft beers accompanied with a platter or wood-fired pizza at Kangaroo Island Brewery. The brewery has been crafted from recycled materials gathered from all over the island including shearing sheds and local stone, with most of the ingredients for the beer also sourced locally.

Dudley Wines, Kangaroo Island

Relax for the afternoon on the deck with fantastic coastal views while enjoying Dudley's locally produced, award-winning wines. Established in 1997, Dudley Wines is Kangaroo Island's pioneer winery and includes a one hole, one par clifftop golf course. The Cellar Door is just 12 kilometres from Penneshaw, perched on Kangaroo Island's stunning north coast.

Kangaroo Island is brimming with incredible produce. For more food and drink options, check out our foodie's guide to Kangaroo Island.

What to see

Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island

Flinders Chase National Park is a rugged island wilderness home to abundant wildlife and iconic landmarks including Admiral's Arch and Remarkable Rocks. Nestled in the western end of Kangaroo Island about an hour's drive from Kingscote, this national park is a mecca for wildlife lovers, avid bushwalkers and beach bums. Jump on a guided Fire Recovery Experience tour and follow the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail to witness nature's remarkable post-bushfire regeneration powers.

Beaches, Kangaroo Island

Boasting more than 500 kilometres of coastline, Kangaroo Island is a true island paradise with sandy white shores, turquoise water, secluded coves, secret rockpools and even surf breaks. Once voted Australia’s best beach, Vivonne Bay's six-kilometres of pristine sand and gently lapping waves have to be seen to be believed. On the other side of the island, you can pull up on the sand and plonk yourself down on the sand at Emu Bay. This gorgeous stretch of sand and surf is protected from the elements; if it's windy in Kingscote, just slide around to Emu Bay, finding conditions calm, clear and gorgeous. Check out our guide to the best beaches on Kangaroo Island for more inspiration.

Curious? Discover more bucket-list worthy spots with our guide to Kangaroo Island's most jaw-dropping natural wonders.

What to do

Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park

Get acquainted with Australia’s cute, cuddly fury friends at Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park. Here you can, hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies, get up close and cuddle koalas, see penguins play and watch their diverse range of wombats, dingoes, reptiles and echidnas. The Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park has played a very important role in nursing and rehabilitating animals affected by the Kangaroo Island bushfire. 

Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures

For an unforgettable close encounter with the locals, swim with wild dolphins and seals in crystal clear waters on tour with Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari. On tour, you'll also encounter Osprey, Sea Eagles and Wedge Tail Eagles. If you'd rather stay dry, then book the 75 minute coastal cruise and soak it all in from the comfort of the boat. If you're on the north coast near Emu Bay can also swim with dolphins with Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures or catch some fish with Emu Bay Fishing Charters.

Wildlife tours, Kangaroo Island

The best way to meet the local native wildlife on Kangaroo Island is on a tour with a local guide who knows the lay of the land unlike anyone else. Experience Kangaroo Island on a luxury, small group or private tour with Exceptional Kangaroo Island, get the perfect introduction to unspoiled and natural wildlife with Intrepid, or head off on an adventure in style with Kangaroo Island Trails. All tour operators are committed to the conservation of Kangaroo Island's wildlife and nature and are hosted by passionate, knowledgeable guides. 

Fast-paced action, Kangaroo Island

If soaking in the sun sea-side sounds too laid back, then Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action will give you your adrenaline fix. From quad biking tours through the beautiful native flora, snowboarding the massive sand dunes of Little Sahara, fat bike tours, guided walking tours and kayaking you'll be kept busy exploring the Island with guides who are born and bred on Kangaroo Island. 

Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island

Just 40 minutes’ drive away from Flinders Chase National Park lies Seal Bay, home to an endangered colony of Australian sea lions for thousands of years. Watch resident sea lions in their natural habitat from a 900-metre-long wheelchair accessible boardwalk, meandering through the dunes to impressive coastal lookouts or get even closer with a guided beach tour.

HOW TO GET TO KANGAROO ISLAND

Getting to Kangaroo Island is a comfortable 45 minute ferry trip from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw with SeaLink, or a short 30 minute flight from Adelaide to Kingscote Airport with QantasLink. If you are unable to secure vehicle space for your preferred travel dates, consider hiring a car on the Island.