Getting There
The best way to get to Kangaroo Island is by ferry. The Sea Link Ferry operates daily from Cape Jervis, located a 1.5-hour drive from Adelaide. The ferry takes 45 minutes to get to Kangaroo Island and can also transport your car and caravan. The ferry price varies, for 2 adults and your car prices start from $196 one way. You can view the timetable and book your ferry tickets Here. During the peak season and if you have a caravan/Rv it is advisable to book your ferry tickets in advance and reach the terminal at least 45 minutes before the departure time.
Getting around the Island
The best way, and maybe the only way, to get around Kangaroo Island is in a car. If you don’t want to bring your car across on the ferry you can rent a car from $85 per day click Here for more information. Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third-largest island. It covers an area of 4,416 square kilometers, and is separated from the mainland by a 15 kilometer stretch of ocean. You can drive from one end of the island to the other end in about 2 hours. Kangaroo Island can be divided into two parts by drawing a vertical line down its center. The eastern half is where the port and the major towns are located. Whereas the western half is more untouched and natural. It’s where Flinders Chase National Park and many beautiful beaches are located.
Accommodation
For the campgrounds we stayed at click here. Most campground’s around the island are from $17-$22.50 per night. There is 4 campground’s on the island so in peak times make sure you book ahead. They are located at Penneshaw, Western KI (near Flinders Chase National Park), Parndana (central KI), Kingscote. There is also plenty of unique luxury accommodation and Budget cabin accommodation. I have suggested a few places throughout this blog. When we stayed on the island we mainly stayed in the council and national park campgrounds.
Day 1- Emu and Stokes Bay
Arrive off the ferry and head through the town of Kingscote. In Kingscote take a walk around Reeves Point up to the flagstaff Hill lookout. Also, stop by the Silo art and Island Beehive for some delicious honeycomb Ice cream. In the afternoon head to Emu Bay and Stokes Bay along the North Shore Road. On the way to Emu Bay stop past the salt Lagoon.
Also make sure to stop by George’s Castle it is a beautiful display of different ornaments and a big adventure land for children and adults. It’s located just 10 minutes from Emu Bay and at night time the castle comes alive with over 50,000 lights.
Cabins start at $110 and Unpowered sites from $31 at Kingscote tourist park Or camp at Stokes bay for $22.50 per night.
Day 2- Flinders Chase National Park
This morning leave Stokes Bay campground Or Kingscote Tourist Park and head to Flinders Chase National Park. On the way stop past Snelling beach and De Tong Ling Stupa. Once you have arrived at Flinders Chase National park first stop at Admirals Arch, Remarkable rocks and weirs Cove lookout. There is a beautiful 3km hike around the lighthouse to Admirals arch. To begin this hike start at the first car park near the lighthouse. Click Here for a how we spent a morning at Flinders Chase National Park.
Tonight stay at Vivonne Bay which is $22.50 per night or Western River caravan park Cabins start at $120 and unpowered starts from $30 per night.
If you have a caravan call up the caravan park and see if you can leave your caravan here for the day Or see if you can set up your caravan early. Before heading into Flinders Chase national park. There is also a Gravel area where you could unhitch your caravan before heading into the National park. Although you could bring your caravan into the national park getting a car park could be a little bit tricky in some spots. If time permits and you have an afternoon free make sure to stop by Hanson Bay.
If you had 4 nights and 5 days on the Island you could change the itinerary by staying one night at Western KI caravan park and one day at Vivonne bay.
Day 3- Antechamber Bay
This morning head out to the little Sahara sand dunes, and spend the morning here. In the afternoon first stop at Mount Thisby, the walk up to the top is up 500 steps and has one of the best views looking over the island. You can also stop by Pennington Bay which is 5-minute drive from the lookout. Next head to Antechamber Bay campground. In the evening head to Cape Willoughby Lighthouse. Entrance to the lighthouse is $5.50 they also have a few tours, tours start from $10.50. Click Here for more information.
Antechamber Campground is $17 per night Or Rooms starting from $135 at the KI seafront Holiday Park in Penneshaw.
Day 4- Penneshaw
Spend the morning at Penneshaw walk along the sculpture trail which is 1.5km return walk close to the Penneshaw Jetty. Another great hike is to the top of the ironstone hill the hike is a 4.2km return hike. With spectacular views across the ocean and out to the Fleurieu Peninsula. The hike leads to the ruins of Harry Bates’ cottage. Catch the afternoon Ferry back to Cape Jervis.
