Summer is the best time to visit Kangaroo Island with your friends and family. So, if you're heading over with your group of friends or with your close ones, you'll never need to worry about accommodating different tastes and interests. Claiming the well-deserved #2 spot on the Lonely Planet's 2024 Best in Travel Top Region's Hotlist, Kangaroo Island has something for everyone: plenty of adrenaline-pumping adventures, amazing cellar doors, a distillery, a brewery, and breathtaking scenery to enjoy. So, what are you waiting for? Gather your friends and plan a road trip to Kangaroo Island. Check out our recommendation for a four-day, three-night itinerary below. This one's your perfect Kangaroo Island summer itinerary.
Day 1: Swim with dolphins, get up close with Australian sea lions
To make the most of your time on Kangaroo Island, take the early morning SeaLink ferry from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw. Pack a hearty breakfast for the ferry ride as you'll have a long day of adventure ahead of you. The ferry takes about 45 minutes from Cape Jervis.
Upon arriving on Kangaroo Island, drive straight to Kingscote or Emu Bay to join a ‘swim with dolphins’ tour with Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures. The tour normally takes about 3 hours in the morning. The journey from Penneshaw to either Kingscote or Emu Bay takes about 40 to 50 minutes, so make sure to add up the driving time on your travel plan for the day.
For lunch, head to Kingscote where you’ll find plenty of options to choose from. If you’re looking for Instagram-worthy delicious fusion food, stop at Cactus Café. If you fancy a pizza, then either Bella Café & Pizza Bar or Café Scrumptious is a great choice.
In the afternoon, head over to Seal Bay Conservation Park and get up close and personal with a colony of endangered Australian sea lions. Join a guided tour and beach walk with a National Parks Ranger and learn about these amazing marine mammals. You might even catch seal pups playing in the shallow waters.
Spend the rest of the afternoon at Vivonne Bay Beach to admire its white sandy beach and crystal-clear water. Pack in your bathers and head down to the gorgeous Vivonne Bay rock pool for a splash around. The rock pool is easy to find and is quite large to fit your gang. Don’t forget to take some photos with your friends at the picturesque jetty before you head down to your accommodation.
Alternative itinerary for day 1: Swim with the dolphins, hike up Prospect Hill
Not everyone is a morning person and if you arrive on the island a little bit later in the morning, you can visit the Seal Bay Conservation Park first. Then, head to Penneshaw for lunch at the Penneshaw Pub or Fat Beagle. In the afternoon, join a '75-minute ocean safari' or a '2-hour swim with dolphins or seals' tour with Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari. Spend the rest of the afternoon by visiting Prospect Hill, the highest point on KI, before you head over to your accommodation. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes when you go on the hike.
Day 2: Picnic at Snelling Beach, enjoy a gastronomical delight
Head over to Snelling Beach for some breakfast by the beach with friends. Pack a picnic basket filled with nutritious food to share and enjoy the pristine beauty of Snelling Beach. If you drive a 4WD then you’re in for a treat as you get to drive onto the beach. Please be mindful that Hooded Plovers lay their eggs in the sand during warmer months, so drive with caution. Don’t forget to pack some towels and bathers because there’s no way you can escape the temptation to swim in the turquoise water.
In the afternoon, enjoy a magical dining experience under the century-old fig tree at The Fig Tree by John Stamatakis. You’ll be served a chef-curated lunch set menu inspired by sea, land, and earth, including a Kangaroo Island Spirits cocktail on arrival. The dining experience will take approximately 3 hours and don’t forget to take some photos as a memento.
Wrap up your day with a visit to KI’s secret beach, Stokes Bay beach. Pass through the 'Secret’ labyrinth of boulders and rockfaces to get to the beach, which can be a thrilling experience. Then, relax in one of the natural pools and enjoy the rest of the early evening listening to the sound of the waves.
Day 3: Drive up to Flinders Chase National Park, sip the island's best drops
Head to the Flinders Chase National Park in the morning to see some of the island's stunning natural beauty. Depending on where you stay, the drive can be up to 1 hour and 50 minutes each way. Consider having a big breakfast that can last you for a while as there are no places to eat near the National Park. Don’t forget to bring some snacks and bottled water with you. Visit the park’s three main attractions, Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch, and Cape du Couedic lighthouse. Allow yourself to stroll around the park for 2 to 3 hours to fully immerse in nature.
Stop at Vivonne Bay General Store for lunch and get their famous whiting burger. Continue your adventure for the day by visiting numerous Kangaroo Island cellar doors and vineyards, such as The Islander Estate Vineyards, Spring Roads Wines, and Bay of Shoals Wines. Or if you’re a fan of gin, make sure to stop by the island’s only (and Australia’s first) boutique distillery, Kangaroo Island Spirits. If you fancy a pint of beer, head over to Kangaroo Island Brewery.
Day 4: Get an adrenalin rush at Little Sahara, indulge in tasty oysters
Head to Little Sahara, the island’s famous sand dune, for some adrenaline-pumping activities. Join a 2-hour tour with Little Sahara Adventure Centre. Choose a fat bike tour if you like to explore on two wheels or choose a buggy tour if you can’t ride a bike. You can also hire a sandboard or a toboggan and race with your friends down to the bottom of the dune.
If you and your friends are seafood lovers, a visit to KI Oysters is a must! Stop by the shop for some fresh, delicious seafood platter for lunch. If you and your party are not big fans of seafood, then head to Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery for some juicy burgers, salads, and cold ciders. Don’t forget to bring home one or two of the distillery’s eucalyptus products for yourself or loved ones back home.
Finally, spend the rest of your final day on the island by visiting Dudley Wines for its stunning clifftop view or False Cape Wines with its luscious vineyard. After a relaxing afternoon with a glass of wine, drive to Penneshaw to get the ferry back to the mainland.
Helpful Tips:
There are two supermarkets on the island, Drakes in Kingscote, and IGA in Penneshaw. We recommend stopping by and stocking up, especially if you stay at an accommodation far away from the two main towns on the island.
Driving at night is generally not advisable as kangaroos and other animals on Kangaroo Island are normally out and about during this time. If you must drive, please be cautious of your surroundings and drive slowly.
Remember to purchase your entry tickets to the Flinders Chase National Park before you visit the park. You may purchase your entry tickets online from the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA website.
