Wild Weekender: Kangaroo Island

Looking for a taste of the island life without the overseas flight? Kick back on Kangaroo Island with our Wild Weekender. With the nearest ferry terminal a mere two-hour's drive from the city centre, it’s never been easier to upgrade your weekend away to an offshore escape.

Can you hear KI's coastline calling? Follow our three-day itinerary to discover where to go, what to do and what to see as you make your way around South Australia's very own island paradise.

Day 1: Fuel up on a gourmet food tour

From the bustling Adelaide CBD, grab a car hire and make the 100-kilometre trek south to Cape Jervis, where your seafaring chariot awaits. A mere 45-minutes aboard the ferry and you'll find yourself in the epicentre of fresh seafood on Kangaroo Island, Penneshaw, just in time for lunch. Take your pick of one of the many seaside restaurants and settle in for a bucket of Spencer Gulf prawns, or opt for a feast of oysters plucked and shucked beside the sea.

Once you've had your fill of Penneshaw's ocean produce, cruise the picturesque South Coast Road to reach the island's inland town of MacGillvray, where Clifford’s Honey Farm produces some of the country’s most delicious honey from the world’s last remaining colony of pure-bred Ligurian bees. If your seafood feast leaves room for dessert, be sure to sample the farm’s signature honey ice cream, which is churned in-house daily.

En route to Cape Willoughby’s famous lighthouse for a good night’s rest, call into the prestigious Chapman River Wines Cellar Door for a nibble and a tipple to end the day. A delight for the palate as well as the eyes, this historic vineyard sees quality wines, seasonal cuisine and local artworks combine in a truly one-of-a-kind setting.

Day 2: Discover the island's roots

After an overnight in the historic lighthouse keeper's cottage, track back to Kingscote to learn more about the island's rich heritage. Just two kilometres south of the state's first official settlement, Reeves Point, travellers can stroll the water-edged esplanade, discovering the areas origins one museum and landmark at a time.

While the area's colonial history alone could keep travellers busy for days, historical landmarks aren't the only way to step back in time on Kangaroo Island. Travel just 60 kilometres from Kingscote and you'll find yourself in the heart of Flinders Chase National Park, where natural geological wonders like the Remarkable Rocks and the Admirals Arch are kept company by local critters of all kinds, including echidnas, fur seals and, of course, kangaroos.

If you're not quite ready to leave KI's rugged wilderness behind, make a beeline for Stokes Bay, where secluded beaches are flanked with seaside holiday homes and family friendly campgrounds. Fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean before waking up renewed for a final day of fun on the island's north-east coastline.

Day 3: Dive into a day of adventure

After a quick morning dip in the tranquil waters of Stokes Bay, pile your bags into the boot and make your way east to Emu Bay. Nestled on the tip of the island's north coast, this sheltered escape is the perfect place to grab a glimpse of the island's unique colony of fairy penguins, who waddle to and fro along the water's edge at dusk and dawn each day.

Once the penguins have come and gone, take the leisurely, 40-minute drive to American River, where one final waterside activity awaits. Renowned for its world-class fishing both on and offshore, catching local sand crabs, snapper and whiting is as easy as casting a line off the local wharf.

The final destination before boarding the ferry back to the mainland, Penneshaw is where your perfect weekend away comes full circle – provided you're ready for it to end. Grab the last of the island's spoils and enjoy a picnic on board as you set your sights back on city life or extend your stay and start your exploration all over again.

Ready to ditch your city shackles for a weekend escape? Grab a car rental Adelaide and cruise to Cape Jervis, where a secluded island paradise is just a ferry ride away.