Island bound
There’s something special about an island holiday. Crossing the sea to another land creates both a physical and mental separation from work, school, traffic snarls and mowing the lawn.
Words: John Pedler
If you’re seeking a summer getaway with stunning beaches, wonderful coastal scenery and top-notch food and drink, look no further than Kangaroo Island.
If you’re seeking a summer getaway with stunning beaches, wonderful coastal scenery and top-notch food and drink, look no further than Kangaroo Island.
Sun and surf
Not just one, but two Kangaroo Island beaches have featured on Australia’s best beaches lists. Access to Stokes Bay is like something from a Narnia-esque fairytale. After skirting a patch of seaside rubble, visitors must pass through a narrow, rocky passageway before a glorious stretch of sparkling sand and turquoise water is revealed. A backdrop of low cliffs and dunes adds an extra layer of seclusion, and near the entrance to the bay, a shallow reef protects a picture-perfect swimming lagoon.
On KI’s south coast, clear seas wash the sands of the island’s other award-winner, Vivonne Bay. When swells roll in like corduroy from the Southern Ocean, expect to find surfers carving the face of crisp, clean waves. By city standards, this is a remote area with few beachside facilities – just sun, surf and views, without the crowds.
Beyond these two coastal gems, there are plenty of other picturesque seaside spots. Near the western end of the island, Lashmar Conservation Park offers a variety of water activities in one location.
Kayak among the paperbarks along Harriet River, before hitting Antechamber Bay’s broad sandy beach. Slip, slop, slap, seek and slide for a day of swimming, fishing or staring smugly at the mainland where you’re not at work.
Get ready for Instagram-worthy shots at Pennington Bay Beach, where sweeping views extend along imposing cliffs in both directions.
If you’re only on the island for a day, turn left at the ferry terminal and you’ll find Penneshaw Beach directly in front of you.In the deeper water down south, you might even be lucky enough to reel in a tuna. With the current algal bloom impacting many South Australian coastal regions, including the Yorke Peninsula, make sure you check the State Government's algal bloom website for any information before you head off.
Island flavours
While many visitors are drawn to KI for its natural beauty, the island is also a great destination for food and wine buffs.
Perched on the edge of the island’s north coast, with magnificent views across Backstairs Passage, Dudley Wines is considered KI’s pioneer winery.
Head onto the deck with your favourite drop, together with a lunchtime gourmet pizza or tasting platter and soak in the scenery.
Set among vineyards and eucalypts, False Cape Wine’s rustic cellar door has been crafted from local limestone, jetty timbers and other recycled wood, providing a unique space to sample a diverse range of reds and whites.
Kids will enjoy the playground and lawned area, and quite likely the homemade pies as well.
Just outside Kingscote, Bay of Shoals is another KI winery with superb views. The cellar door overlooks the vineyard and the serene waters of the winery’s Drop in for the signature Shoals
Platter and guided wine tasting experience, which includes a seafood spread of prawns, pickled calamari, hot-smoked salmon and, of course, wine.
For an authentic taste of Italy, head to Amadio’s Vino e Cucina in Kingscote. The kitchen sources local and South Australian ingredients, and complements its tasty dishes with wines from Amadio’s Adelaide Hills winery.
True to its name, Sunset Food and Wine bistro is renowned for its remarkable evening views. Owner, Jack Ingram, was trained in Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK and enjoyed a stint as Executive Chef at KI’s luxurious Southern Ocean Lodge.
Settle in for delicious food, with a focus on local produce, paired with an impressive wine list.
The evocative aroma of lavender features in a range of products, but what’s it like in a scone? Find out at Emu Bay Lavender Farm, north-west of Kingscote.
As well as eggs Benedict, smashed avo and chicken ciabatta, the café’s menu includes whopping lavender scones topped with lavender jelly, jam and cream.
The farm also stocks an extensive range of personal care products, as well as lavender-infused gin and honey.
Main: Vivonne Bay Jetty. Above: Bay of Shoals Wines and Emu Bay.
Sea life
The seas off KI are teeming with marine life of all shapes and sizes. Seals play in the shallows and flop about on wave-worn rocks, while dolphins torpedo through the water, occasionally popping up for a breath and a stickybeak.
In the winter, southern right whales leave chilly Antarctica and migrate to the South Australian coast to breed and calve.
A boat trip with Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari gets you among the action, and while there’s no guarantee the animals will come out to play, passengers will enjoy a delightful scenic cruise. For an immersive experience, join an Island Explorer Tour and Dolphin Swim for an underwater encounter with these curious characters.
A good night's rest
From bush camps and caravan parks to hotel rooms and a five-star lodge, there are plenty of accommodation options on KI. In the heart of Kingscote, the Ozone Hotel sits on the foreshore, offering a selection of sea view rooms, studios and poolside family rooms.
The Seafront Kangaroo Island Hotel is only a short stroll from SeaLink’s Penneshaw ferry terminal. Facilities include a pool, an electric vehicle charging station, E-bike hire, and if you hook a few fish during your travels, you can grill them on the hotel’s barbecue.
For pampered luxury and incredible ocean views, book a suite at the clifftop Southern Ocean Lodge, on the remote south-west coast.
The room rate includes fine dining and beverages, complimentary in-suite bar, a selection of island tours and, of course, panoramic vistas through floor-to-ceiling windows. Or you can lean into relaxation with a soothing treatment at the spa.
Southern Ocean Lodge.
All aboard
Getting to Kangaroo Island is about to become even more comfortable, with SeaLink’s two brand-new ferries on the horizon.
These state-of-the-art vessels will bring greater vehicle capacity, a spacious café, and even a dedicated pet lounge. Boarding will also be quicker and easier, with a drive-through design that allows vehicles to drive on and off in the same direction.
There’s nothing like an island holiday, particularly when the island is conveniently located just a stone’s throw from the SA mainland. So rather than flying interstate or overseas, head across Backstairs Passage for a blast of nature, indulgence and seaside fun.
IMAGES: Meaghan Coles; Kane Overall; SATC/As We Wander, Ben Goode; Josie Withers.
