Route Summary: Adelaide – Cape Jervis – Penneshaw – Kingscote – Emu Bay – Dudley East (False Cape Wines) – Cuttlefish Bay (Dudley Wines) – Haines (Clifford’s Honey Farm) – Vivonne Bay (Little Sahara Adventure Centre) – Cygnet River (Kangaroo Island Spirits) – Emu Bay (Emu Bay Lavender Farm) – Stokes Bay – Parndana – Seal Bay (Seal Bay Conservation Park, Raptor Domain and Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park) – Flinders Chase National Park (Cape du Couedic Lighthouse, Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks)
Get ready to make unforgettable memories on one of Australia’s most extraordinary islands! Just a short ferry (or flight) from Adelaide, Kangaroo Island offers it all — rugged landscapes, pristine beaches, wildlife experiences, great food and wine and a whole lot of family fun. From the calm waters of Emu Bay to the wild cliffs of Flinders Chase, this seven-night itinerary has been designed with families in mind, striking the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. For a humble little Island, KI really packs a punch!
Day 1
Adelaide – Penneshaw – Kingscote – Emu Bay – Kingscote
Total Driving Distance: Approx. 106km from Adelaide – Cape Jervis | Approx. 45km from ferry terminal / airport to Emu Bay
Stay
Emu Bay Holiday Homes are spacious, family-friendly and just a stone’s throw from one of the island’s best beaches. Choose from their selection of cottages, cabins or houses, all which include the amenities required to self cater for a fuss-free stay.
Image credit :: Emu Bay Holiday Homes
Morning:
- Travel to Kangaroo Island via ferry or flight. The ferry leaves from Cape Jervis (an approximate 1.5 hour drive from Adelaide) and takes 45 mins. Your car comes on the ferry with you so you’ll have the convenience of using your own vehicle while on the island. A flight direct from Adelaide Airport to Kingscote Airport will take 40 minutes. If you fly, you’ll need to arrange a hire car for your use once you arrive.
- The ferry will disembark in Penneshaw. If you haven’t packed the car with groceries from home, we suggest you drive to Kingscote and pick up supplies for the next few days. There are long distances between supermarkets on Kangaroo Island so it’s best to be organised and plan some meals to cook at your accommodation ahead of time, particularly if you are staying rurally.
Lunch:
- While you’re in Kingscote, stop in at Cactus Cafe for coffee and a bite to eat.
Afternoon:
- Drive to Emu bay and check into Emu Bay Holiday Homes. Unpack, relax and explore the nearby Emu Bay Beach. It’s perfect for a safe family swim, beach cricket, building sandcastles or exploring amongst the rocks at low tide. See who can find the biggest crab!
Dinner:
- Self-cater dinner and enjoy relaxing in your accommodation after a day of travel. Alternatively, you could book a family meal at Zone Restaurant in Kingscote (a 15-20 minute drive away).
Image credit :: South Australia | Cactus Cafe | Zone Restaurant
Day 2
Emu Bay – False Cape Wines – Dudley Wines – Clifford’s Honey Farm
Driving Distance: Approx. 170 return
Morning:
- Enjoy a light breakfast at home before setting out for the day.
Lunch:
- Drive to False Cape Wines for a relaxing lunch where both adults AND kids will be happy (think nature playground and basketball ring)!
- After lunch, head to Dudley Wines for one of the most spectacular views on the island. Their cellar door looks across the Backstairs Passage and in clear weather you can see all the way over to the mainland. Do a wine tasting or enjoy coffee with a view. There’s a lawned area and nature play for the kids too!
Afternoon:
- On your way home, stop in at Clifford’s Honey Farm. Learn about bee keeping and the unique Ligurian Bees (only found on Kangaroo Island). Check out their range of products for sale and don’t forget to try their famous honey ice-cream!
- Head back to your accommodation for a relaxed arvo — read a book, play a board game or go for a nice walk.
Dinner:
- Cook a family barbecue at your holiday home and enjoy watching the sunset over the ocean.
Image credit :: False Cape Wines | Dudley Wines | Clifford’s Honey Farm
Day 3
Emu Bay – Little Sahara Adventure Centre – Vivonne Bay – Kangaroo Island Spirits – Kingscote
Driving Distance: Approx. 130km return
Morning:
- Have breakfast at home and then make your way to Little Sahara Adventure Centre. Hire sandboards or toboggans and ride the dunes. You’ll have a tonne of fun (and get a workout climbing the dunes)!
- Then drive 10 minutes to the white sandy shores of Vivonne Bay (you’ll be staying here next so a little reconnaissance is always good)!
Lunch:
- The Vivonne Bay General Store will take care of you for lunch. Either eat in or take away and enjoy on the beach. You can’t go past their famous KI Whiting Burger!
Afternoon:
- On your way back to Emu Bay, pop into Kangaroo Island Spirits for a quick tasting while the kids enjoy the gardens and giant outdoor games.
Dinner:
- Relax back at your Emu Bay accommodation with a simple dinner — self-cater or order some takeaway wood fired pizza from Amadio’s Vino E Cucina in Kingscote and pick it up on your way home.
Image credit :: Little Sahara Adventure Centre | Amadio’s Vino E Cucina | Kangaroo Island Spirits
Day 4
Emu Bay – Emu Bay Lavender Farm – Stokes Bay Beach – Kingscote
Driving Distance: Approx. 100km return
Morning:
- Start the morning with brunch at Emu Bay Lavender Farm. Wander through their beautiful gardens and check out their amazing range of lavender products for sale.
Oh, and you can’t leave without trying their famous lavender scone! - Then head to the spectacular Stokes Bay Beach (voted Australia’s best beach in 2023). Make your way through the headland of boulders before emerging to a pristine white sandy beach with a sheltered rockpool. It’s one of the island’s most magical (and safest) family beaches.
Lunch:
- Pack a picnic or snacks to enjoy on the beach or head back to Emu Bay for a late lunch back at your accommodation. If it’s open, Beach Day Emu Bay is also a great little pop up cafe that serves coffee, cocktails and yummy food.
Afternoon:
- Spend the afternoon enjoying the beach at Emu Bay. Whether it’s a brisk walk along the shore, swimming, exploring amongst the rocks or throwing in a line.
Dinner:
- Head back into Kingscote for a pub meal at the Queenscliffe Family Hotel.
Tip:
I’d also recommend you stock up on groceries while in Kingscote today before heading to Vivonne Bay tomorrow to check into your next accommodation. You will only be able to buy basic supplies there.
Image credit :: Emu Bay Lavender Farm | Stokes Bay Beach | Beach Day Emu Bay
Day 5
Emu Bay – Parndana – Vivonne Bay (Wild Retreat)
Driving Distance: Approx. 70km
Stay
Wild Retreat in Vivonne Bay is luxury self-contained accommodation on the Southern Ocean side of Kangaroo Island. This family friendly retreat has all the mod cons you could wish for and offers 180 degree views over Vivonne Bay’s turquoise waters.
Image credit :: Wild Retreat
Morning:
- Check out of Emu Bay Holiday Homes and begin your scenic drive towards Wild Retreat in Vivonne Bay.
- Either have a simple breakfast before checking out or stop back into Emu Bay Lavender Farm for one last delicious feed and a take-away coffee. Alternatively, you could stop in Parndana on your way through to Vivonne Bay and grab an easy bite at the Parndana Bakery and Cafe.
- Spend some time enjoying Vivonne Bay Beach before checking in. If it’s warm, take a dip in the crystal clear waters, or if you like a spot of fishing — the jetty is a popular spot to throw in a line.
Lunch:
- If you’ve worked up an appetite, grab a bite to eat from the Vivonne Bay General Store.
Afternoon:
- Check into your accommodation at Wild Retreat and spend the afternoon settling in and enjoying the spectacular outlooks.
- Alternatively, hire some kayaks or book in for a guided tour with Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action and paddle on up to 5kms of the calm and meandering Harriet River.
Dinner:
- Cook up a barbecue outside looking over the ocean and enjoy your first sunset over Vivonne Bay. If it’s cool, light up the fire pit and toast marshmallows with the family.
Image credit :: Parndana Bakery and Cafe | South Australia | Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action
Day 6
Vivonne Bay – Seal Bay – Raptor Domain – Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park
Driving Distance: Approx. 90km return
Morning:
- Visit Seal Bay Conservation Park and walk among the seal lions. You can either explore on your own or book a guided tour to make it even more personal.
- Next stop: Raptor Domain for the Birds of Prey presentation (booking ahead is recommended). This is a highlight for both kids and adults.
Lunch:
- Head back to Wild Retreat for lunch and a bit of down time before heading out again for the afternoon.
Afternoon:
- Make your way to Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park in Duncan. Feed kangaroos, cuddle koalas and meet reptiles and penguins!
Dinner:
- Head to the Vivonne Bay General Store for dinner (eat there or take away and enjoy back in the comforts of Wild Retreat.
Image credit :: Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park | South Australia
Day 7
Vivonne Bay – Flinders Chase National Park
Driving Distance: Approx. 120km return
Morning:
- Have a hearty breakfast and set off for a day of exploring Flinders Chase National Park (it’s about a 25 minute drive from Vivonne Bay to Flinders Chase Visitors Centre, and then another 25 minutes to the main attractions).
- Tip: Although there is one cafe (The Rocks Cafe) located within the Visitors Centre, the area is quite remote, so we recommend packing enough food and water to see you through a day of driving, walking and sightseeing.
- Also note: entry fees apply to enter Flinders Chase. Tickets can be purchased online or at the visitor centre. See here for more information.
Lunch:
- Grab lunch at The Rocks Cafe or find a nice spot to enjoy a packed picnic.
Afternoon:
- Head to your first attraction, Cape du Couedic Lighthouse and learn about the history of this incredible structure.
- Next stop — Admirals Arch. This natural rock arch has been sculpted over thousands of years by weathering and erosion from the sea. Note: You can reach the arch via the purpose-built boardwalk, but it is steep in parts. To reach the arch itself, you’ll need to use stairs when the boardwalk ends. If you can’t use stairs, the scenery and views along the boardwalk is still worth a look. Keep your eyes peeled for seals among the rocks!
- Next stop — the Remarkable Rocks. And boy are they just that! These precariously balanced granite boulders have been shaped by the erosive forces of wind, sea spray and rain over some 500 million years. You’ll want your camera here folks! Note there is also a viewing platform here to provide a vantage point for disabled access.
Dinner:
- Celebrate the end of an epic week with one last farewell dinner at Vivonne Bay General Store or cook up a post adventure storm together at Wild Retreat.
Image credit :: South Australia
Day 8
Vivonne Bay – Penneshaw (ferry) – Cape Jervis – Adelaide
Driving Distance: Approx. 115kms
Morning:
- Check out and make your way back home via ferry or flight.
- If time allows, grab a bite to eat in Penneshaw before heading off. Both Millie Mae’s Pantry and Fat Beagle Coffee Shop are family friendly spots with something for everyone on the menu.
Image credit :: Fat Beagle Coffee Shop | Millie Mae’s Pantry
Extra tips
- Pre-book Seal Bay, Raptor Domain, and other tours during peak seasons.
- Bring sand toys, beach shade and a portable esky if it’s warm and you’re planning to do long beach days.
- At night, go outside and look UP! The stars on Kangaroo Island are truly something else!
