Getting to Kangaroo Island and Around
SeaLink makes getting to Kangaroo Island easy with options to suit everyone.
Enjoy the leisurely drive through the scenic Fleurieu Peninsula in your own car, in a rental car or on a SeaLink coach connection. Relax on board our ferry for your 45 minute cruise to Kangaroo Island where a selection of touring options await you.
Explore the island at your own pace in the comfort and convenience of your own car or let our SeaLink guides host and inform you on one of our many tours - the choice is yours.
You take the wheel
Let us take you
When time is tight
Driving to Kangaroo Island
Enjoy the leisurely 1.5 hour drive from Adelaide to Cape Jervis through the Fleurieu Peninsula. We recommend that you arrive at least half an hour prior to departure for check in. So to allow 2 hours from Adelaide prior to your scheduled departure will ensure a relaxed drive and adequate time to check-in.
Please note: there is the Southern Express Way from Adelaide to the Greater Southern Suburbs, a free carriageway, that may be able to reduce your journey to Cape Jervis.
| Travelling to Cape Jervis | Time | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Murray Bridge | 1 hour 54 mins | 150 kms |
| Gepps Cross | 1 hour 43 mins | 116 kms |
| Mount Barker | 1 hour 22 mins | 104 kms |
| Strathalbyn | 1 hour 21 mins | 109 kms |
| Adelaide City | 1 hour 31 mins | 107 kms |
| Travelling to Cape Jervis | Time | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Mannum | 2 hours 14 mins | 169 kms |
| Marion | 1 hour 18 mins | 96.3 kms |
| Lonsdale | 1 hour 4 mins | 83 kms |
| Goolwa | 1 hour | 78.6 kms |
| McLaren Vale | 56 mins | 74.1 kms |
| Seaford Rise | 55 mins | 73.4 kms |
| Willunga | 54 mins | 67.7 kms |
| Aldinga | 48 mins | 63.7 kms |
| Victor Harbor | 45 mins | 60.6 kms |
| Myponga | 36 mins | 47.6 kms |
| Yankalilla | 26 mins | 33.9 kms |
| Normanville | 22 mins | 30.8 kms |
| Wirrina Cove | 17 mins | 22.1 kms |
| Second Valley | 14 mins | 18.6 kms |
Estimated travel times to Cape Jervis. Times will vary based on traffic conditions, and other variables, please use these as a guide and ensure adequate time for check-in.
Car Parking at Cape Jervis
Safe, secure day and longer-term car parking is available at Cape Jervis right near the SeaLink Terminal. The car park opens prior to the first ferry departure and is locked after the last departure arrives from Penneshaw. The cost is $17 per day and bookings can be made when arranging your ferry travel or at the terminal on check-in. Unsecured time restricted car-parking is also available. For more information call our sales centre on 13 13 01.
Coach Connections
SeaLink operates daily coach connections from Adelaide, Goolwa and Victor Harbor to the ferry terminal at Cape Jervis and from the terminal at Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island to American River and Kingscote. For a coach connection timetable with pick-up and drop off locations please visit our SeaLink timetables page.
Transfers
Airport transfers on Kangaroo Island to and from Kingscote airport to Kingscote township accommodation can be booked with SeaLink. There is a transfer service to meet all flights. We can also arrange personal or group transfers. To book a transfer please contact our sales centre on 13 13 01 or email [email protected]. Kangaroo Island Transfers also operates private transfers on Kangaroo Island. For bookings and enquiries phone 0427 887 575. For more information go to www.kitransfers.com.au
Self-Drive and Save
Kangaroo Island is one of the best regions in South Australia for a self-drive holiday. SeaLink can help you plan own car or hire car options with an extensive range of Kangaroo Island accommodation to choose from and suggested itineraries. Kangaroo Island has seven regions within it so you can easily spend at least 7 days exploring this rich and diverse Island. See more about Kangaroo Island's regions.
Visit our Self-Drive Accommodation Packages on Kangaroo Island for further information.
Roads and Driving
Kangaroo Island is widely accessible by conventional vehicles and is well serviced with an extensive bituminised road network.
We urge caution on all island roads, especially the unsealed ones. Kangaroo Island residents are some of the warmest and most hospitable people you’ll meet anywhere but, not unreasonably they take a very dim view of people driving on their roads at excessively high speed.
Please also remember that in Australia, we drive on the left hand side of the road and if you find that you are travelling at a lower speed than vehicles behind you, it is courtesy to pull to the left hand side of the road, when safe and practicable, to allow these vehicles to overtake you.
Also, please be wary that native animals on Kangaroo Island (as they do in many regional areas of Australia), come out early in the morning (dawn), at sunset (dusk) and during the night and they tend to congregate at the sides of the road. These animals have not been to road safety school, so please take care.
Fuel
For a list of petrol stations on the island please download SeaLink's Useful information for travel on Kangaroo Island document.
Please note, if you are departing Kangaroo Island on a late ferry service, the nearest open petrol station will be at Aldinga, 64km north of Cape Jervis, en route to Adelaide. You may need to top up your petrol tank prior to leaving the island.
Car Hire
If you don't have your own car to take on the ferry, SeaLink can arrange a rental car in Adelaide or to be waiting for you on arrival at the Pennehaw ferry terminal on Kangaroo Island or at the Kingscote airport.
Conventional vehicles are fine to use on Kangaroo Island however some visitors prefer the confidence of a 4WD vehicle on unsealed roads.
SeaLink recommends Budget Kangaroo Island when booking a rental car on Kangaroo Island, find out more about available cars, and prices here.
Safe Driving on Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third largest island and is 4500 sq kilometres. It has a vast network of both sealed and unsealed roads. SeaLink promotes safe driving on Kangaroo Island and we invite you to view this short safe driving video.
