PERFECT 3-Day Kangaroo Island Road Trip + FREE Map

We recognise the Ramindjeri, Ngarrindjeri, Kaurna, Nharangga and Barngalla nations as the Traditional Owners of Kangaroo Island.

Day 1: Arrive to Kangaroo Island + North Coast

Kick things off by catching one of the early ferries. The first one is at 7am, so you’ll have the whole day to explore! 

Note that you will have to drive to the ferry terminal in Cape Jervis which is 1hr 45min from Adelaide city centre.

You can go over as a foot passenger or with a car. We recommend a car as the island is large and you will need a car to see the best spots.

Rent a car in Adelaide if you don’t have your own as it will be cheaper. Check out Booking’s car rental feature, they usually have the best deals. You won’t need a 4wd, a normal 2wd will be fine on Kangaroo Island.

Once on the island, grab a brekky and a proper coffee at Cactus Kangaroo Island. Hands down the best café we found there!

Then, we recommend taking the rest of the day to explore the North Coast. Here are some really cool places to check out:

Stokes Bay Beach

It was voted Australia’s best beach for a reason! But don’t stop at the car park. Head to the north-eastern end, look for the “Beach” sign, and follow the tunnel under the rocks. Trust us, the real award-winning beach is through there. This was one of our favs!

Snelling Beach

It’s a good spot for a swim or a surf, and the drive from there to Stokes Bay is surprisingly scenic! The drive is stunning and even if you are beached out after Stokes Bay then its worth the drive.

Emu Bay Beach

Another great spot closer to the ferry, with calm waters and usually less crowded than the other two. And if you’ve got a 4WD, you can drive right onto the sand! 

Wrap up with a wine tasting and pizza at Dudley Wines, or hit Kangaroo Island Brewery for a cold one. 

Honestly we loved Kangaroo Island Brewery and spent the afternoon there. The tasting paddles are worth it…

Keen on more beaches? Here’s our top 10 beaches on Kangaroo Island! 

Day 2: West End of KI

Today it’s time to explore the rugged side of the island! Pack food and plenty of water for the day, there’s nowhere to grab a bite once you’re out here. 

You’ll spend most of the day in Flinders Chase National Park (entry fees here). These are some of the things we recommend checking out while you’re there:

Remarkable Rocks

They actually live up to the name! They are giant boulders perched on a granite dome, with wild ocean views. This is definitely one of Kangaroo islands draw cards.

Make sure you give it plenty of time as it’s a bit of a drive from pretty much wherever you are on the island.

Platypus Waterholes Walk.

It’s an easy 2-hour return hike and, if you’re lucky, you’ll see platypus! Your best shot to see them is at dawn or dusk, but even if they’re hiding, you’ll see heaps of other wildlife and the walk itself is great.

Cape du Couedic Lighthouse.

It sits at the end of a winding road with some of the best coastal scenery on the island. 

Admirals Arch,

A dramatic rock arch down the road from the lighthouse. It’s also an epic spot for spotting seals!

Depending on your route, you could go for a meal at Vivonne Bay general store. They do a whiting burger that’s famous on the island (100% worth it)! 

But if you can’t go today, don’t worry, you’ll be back there tomorrow anyway.

Day 3: Southern Coast

Start early it’s your last day and we still have a heap to see!

Seal Bay Conservation Park

It’s a must-do while on the island, you’ll get up close to the sea lions, they’re adorable!

It’s also the only spot you’ll need to book a tour for. The tour takes around 45 minutes and last time we checked, the last entry was at 4PM. You can book it here.

Vivonne Bay

The beach there is excellent for a swim or a fish, and it’s not usually crowded. And at lunch, grab a whiting burger from the general store, we swear it lives up to the hype!

If you’re still feeling energetic, Little Sahara is nearby for sandboarding or a buggy ride.

We rented a sandboard and went at it on our own which was fun but rougher than expected, so be careful if you’ll do that!

There’s also some really cool Quad Bike Tours in Vivonne Bay if you’re keen to do something different. Here’s a great one, check it out.

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If you prefer something more chill, head to a honey farm instead! Island Beehive does behind-the-scenes tours (like this one) and you’ll learn heaps. Plus, the honey’s top-notch!

Then it’s back to Adelaide. Jump on the late arvo ferry back to make the most out of your day.

Where to stay on Kangaroo Island?

Most places to stay are cabins, resorts, or fancy eco-lodges, there aren’t heaps of hotels. There are some campgrounds, we’ll talk about them later.

If you don’t want to camp and are watching your wallet, Kingscote and American River usually have the best deals and are handy for supplies!

Kingscote’s got the most options for food, groceries, and anything else you might need.

We stayed at Ecopia Retreat and honestly, it was next level! It’s a luxury eco-resort that’s honestly worth the splurge. You feel off-grid although you’re not, and we saw the most wildlife while there!  

If you want the full rundown, we wrote a review with our full experience here. 

Here are other places to stay with excellent reviews: 

• Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge. It’s in the American River, a short drive from Penneshaw and is within walking distance from the ocean. 
• Villas on the Bay. It’s closer to the airport, restaurants, and markets, plus has good prices. 
• Ozone Hotel. Another Kingscote option if you want more of a classic hotel feel.

Camping on Kangaroo Island

There aren’t any caravan parks on Kangaroo Island right now, so you’ll be looking at bush camping. 

There are 7 campgrounds around the island. Some are pretty remote, without power or drinking water, plus mobile reception can be patchy or non-existent. 

So you’ll need to be fully self-sufficient. Bring enough water, food, and a way to charge your gear!

If you want to check out the locations or book a site, here are all the details. You’ll need to book ahead.

If you want to rent a caravan from Adelaide, here are some recommendations: 

• JUCY campervans. Great balance between prices and quality. Their caravans are excellent for a 3-day road trip, although some don’t have bathrooms so plan ahead. Check them here. 
• Star RV. They’re the best for premium campervans. It’s basically a home on wheels. If you want to go on an adventure without sacrificing comfort, this is it! Check them here. 

Planning your Kangaroo Island visit

How to get to Kangaroo Island

You’ve got two options: ferry or flight. 

The ferry leaves from Cape Jervis, about 1.5 hours south of Adelaide, and drops you in Penneshaw after 45-60 minutes.

Ferry tickets book out fast, especially if you want to take your car, so don’t leave it to the last minute. Prices jump in school holidays and peak times.

Flying is quicker, with regular flights from Adelaide to Kingscote Airport. You’ll need to connect through Adelaide if you’re coming from anywhere else.

How to get around Kangaroo Island?

You’ll need your own wheels to get around Kangaroo Island, as public transport is basically non-existent and everything is pretty spread out. 

You can ferry your car, but that will add at least $200-$250 to your return ticket! Keep that in mind when budgeting your trip. 

If you have to rent a car, it will probably be cheaper to rent it in Adelaide and pay the ferry fee instead of renting on Kangaroo Island (there are rentals in Penneshaw and Kingscote). 

We recommend checking both Booking’s car rental and DiscoverCars and compare prices for your dates. Definitely crunch the numbers before you book, you could save some money!

As for the roads, they’re a mix of sealed and gravel, and some of the rural stretches can get narrow and twisty. No traffic lights anywhere, so drive carefully.

Fuel up when you can, especially in Penneshaw, Kingscote, or American River. There aren’t many servos outside these spots and you don’t want to get caught out.

Driving after dark is not a good idea. Wildlife here is particularly active, so unless you like dodging kangaroos and wallabies on the road, go back before the sun goes down.

Access to National Parks

Some of Kangaroo Island’s national parks are free, but a few do charge an entry fee, which you can pay online.

For example, Flinders Chase and Cape Willoughby Conservation Park both have entry fees, so factor that into your budget.

Seal Bay Conservation Park is a bit different, as you can only get in by booking a tour. Parking is free, but you’ll need to pay for the tour itself.

If you’re camping or staying overnight in any of the parks, there’s usually an extra fee on top of entry. Check the latest prices before you go, as they can change.

Best time to go to Kangaroo Island

We reckon spring or autumn is the sweet spot for Kangaroo Island. We went in shoulder season and it was perfect for us! 

The weather is still good, the ferry tickets and accommodation are a bit cheaper, plus there’s a good chance you’ll have some beaches to yourself.

Summer is peak season, so the beaches are great but you’ll be sharing them with a lot more people. Places like Seal Bay and Remarkable Rocks get busy, and there’s a higher bushfire risk, so keep an eye on local alerts.

Winter is pretty rough, honestly. It gets wet and windy, some of the dirt roads turn to mush, and you might hit road closures if there’s heavy rain.

If you want a relaxed trip without the crowds or weather dramas, shoulder season is the way to go. That’s when we went, and it was incredible.

Top Tips

There’s a list of banned products to help protect the local wildlife. This includes honey, potatoes, or rabbits! You’ll get checked at the ferry, so double-check before you go, here’s a list of all the banned products.

Also, distances are deceiving. It’s a big island and getting between sights can take more time than you’d think, especially due to the gravel roads. Plan for slower travel and don’t try to cram too much into one day.

Some beaches look inviting but have rough surf and strong currents. If you’re not a confident swimmer, stick to the patrolled spots or just enjoy the view from the sand.

Groceries and fuel cost more on the island, so pack a few basics if you can. Stock up before you get on the ferry to save a bit of cash.

A lot of cafes and restaurants shut early or don’t open every day, especially outside peak season. Have a backup plan for meals and check opening hours ahead.

Mobile reception drops out in plenty of spots, and the roads can be rough or winding. Carry a spare tyre and a repair kit, waiting for help could take a while!

Did you know?

Nearly half the island burned in the 2019-2020 bushfires, but the bounce-back has been unreal! You’ll spot new growth everywhere and wildlife making a strong comeback.

Also, over a third of the island is protected, so you’ll see plenty of wild bush and untouched coastline. It’s a proper sanctuary for native plants and animals!

The koalas you see aren’t actually from there. They were brought over from Victoria in the 1920s to save them from hunting. Now there are thousands munching their way through the gum trees.

The island has deep Aboriginal roots, with the Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna people calling it home long before Europeans showed up. By the time settlers arrived about 200 years ago, it was uninhabited.

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