What is the best time to visit Kangaroo Island?

All seasons on Kangaroo Island has something unique to offer. If you are after wildlife, the best time to visit Kangaroo Island is towards the end of Winter, early Spring, joey's are emerging from their mothers pouches and moving around. Young koala's are perched on their mother's back. Animals are more active as it's not hot, you may see echidna trains, with one female leading the train and up to 10 males following. It's also whale time.

How long does it take to drive to Kangaroo Island?

If you are travelling from Adelaide, it takes roughly 2 hours to drive from Adelaide to Cape Jervis. The ferry departs from Cape Jervis and is a 45 min ride (allow an hour) across to Penneshaw (Kangaroo Island). Penneshaw is then roughly 1 hour to Kingscote. There is no public transport on Kangaroo Island so if travelling with a car, some fore thought will need to go into your trip. There is a shuttle that runs twice a day, operated by Yorke Peninsular Coaches. Alternatively, some of our Kangaroo Island Tours do pick up and drop off in Penneshaw. Contact us to discuss options.

How long should we stay on Kangaroo Island?

Kangaroo Island is a lot bigger than what you realise. If you can stay for a night or two, we do highly recommend it, you will see so much more than in one day. In saying that, it is very doable to come across from Adelaide for the day. Many of our guests come over for the day. The coach departs from Adelaide at 06:45am and arrives Cape Jervis at 08:30am, connecting with the 09:00am ferry to Penneshaw (Kangaroo Island). We then meet you at the ferry terminal, when the ferry arrives, tour all day then we have you back by 6:30pm, giving you time to then catch the 07:30pm ferry back, connecting with the 08:30pm coach back to Adelaide. Our most popular tour from Penneshaw is the Scenic, Nature & Wildlife Tour.

Where do you recommend staying on Kangaroo Island?

Kingscote is the main hub of the island and is an hour from Penneshaw. It's easy to walk around to cafes and restaurants and tours often start earlier. There are quite a few different places in Kingscote to stay such as hotels, AirBnb's, holiday homes etc. Three places we recommend are the Aurora Ozone Hotel, The Seaview Motel and Villas on the Bay, all within walking distance from town and right on the waterfront.

Is it safe to swim on Kangaroo Island?

Kangaroo Island has some of the most stunning beaches in Australia but not all of them are safe. The top swimming spots on Kangaroo Island that are considered safe are: Penneshaw Beach, Stokes Bay Beach, Emu Bay Beach, Vivonne Bay Beach and Kingscote Tidal Pool. If you want to swim anywhere else, we recommend that you check by asking locals and checking https://beachsafe.org.au/

Kangaroo Island Tours | Kangaroo Island Trails

So Glad We Booked!

We were hesitant at first, but this was the best decision of our whole trip. Worth it!

— Jen, Canada (Tripadvisor)

The Perfect Day in Nature

It felt like a road trip with friends. Our guide was warm, funny, and incredibly knowledgeable.

— Lisa, USA (Tripadvisor)

Worry-Free, Worth Every Penny

We didn’t have to worry about a thing — everything was taken care of for us.

— Amanda, Australia (Google)

Bucket List Magic

We saw koalas, sea lions, and kangaroos — all in the wild! Absolutely unforgettable.

— Karla, USA (Tripadvisor)

Seamless, Scenic, and Delicious

Every stop was thoughtful and well-paced. The food was amazing and the views even better!

— Sophie, Sydney (Google)

So Glad We Booked!

We were hesitant at first, but this was the best decision of our whole trip. Worth it!

— Jen, Canada (Tripadvisor)

The Perfect Day in Nature

It felt like a road trip with friends. Our guide was warm, funny, and incredibly knowledgeable.

— Lisa, USA (Tripadvisor)

We’re more than a tour company — we’re your gateway to Kangaroo Island’s soul. Since 2016, Kangaroo Island Trails is one of Australia’s leading tour operators, offering exclusive small group and private tours that showcase Kangaroo Island. Whether you’re craving wildlife encounters, gourmet tastings, or a deeper connection with nature, we craft every journey to be personal, immersive, and unforgettable. With us, it feels like a road trip with friends. Inspired, not rushed.

Kangaroo Island Trails is proudly based on Kangaroo Island, South Australia — just a short flight or ferry ride from Adelaide.

We operate from Kingscote, the island’s largest town, and are perfectly positioned to explore all corners of this spectacular destination. Whether you’re arriving by air or sea, our team will ensure a smooth start to your island adventure.

With our local knowledge and central location, we make it easy to discover Kangaroo Island’s hidden gems, iconic landscapes, and unforgettable wildlife encounters.

At Kangaroo Island Trails, environmental sustainability is at the core of everything we do. Since our inception, we’ve embraced the responsibility to not only sustain but regenerate the landscapes and communities we engage with. Our mission goes beyond simply reducing our impact — we are committed to a regenerative approach to tourism, ensuring that our tours on Kangaroo Island contribute positively to both the environment and the people of Kangaroo Island. Join us in our journey towards a more sustainable and thriving future.

Elderly couple, holding hands, stroll along a sandy beach at sunset.

Over 50's Holiday Escape

EXCLUSIVE TOUR

Discover Australia at a relaxed pace with a small group, all-inclusive care, and unforgettable experiences from the Murray River to Kangaroo Island.

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Sea lion on a sandy beach, holding a stick in its mouth, light brown fur.

Kangaroo Island Scenic Nature and Wildlife Tour – Penneshaw Departure

Experience Kangaroo Island’s stunning beauty on a guided tour from Penneshaw, featuring close-up wildlife encounters and spectacular views of the island’s rugged coastlines.

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Kangaroo Island Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Tasting Tour

Savour the flavours of Kangaroo Island on a guided tasting adventure through local vineyards, distilleries, and cafes.

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Kangaroo Island Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Scenic Tour

Designed for cruise passengers, this tour delivers the island’s most iconic scenery and wildlife in a single, unforgettable day.

Explore More

Over 50's Holiday Escape

EXCLUSIVE TOUR

Discover Australia at a relaxed pace with a small group, all-inclusive care, and unforgettable experiences from the Murray River to Kangaroo Island.

Explore More

What is the best time to visit Kangaroo Island?
All seasons on Kangaroo Island has something unique to offer. If you are after wildlife, the best time to visit Kangaroo Island is towards the end of Winter, early Spring, joey's are emerging from their mothers pouches and moving around. Young koala's are perched on their mother's back. Animals are more active as it's not hot, you may see echidna trains, with one female leading the train and up to 10 males following. It's also whale time.
How long does it take to drive to Kangaroo Island?
If you are travelling from Adelaide, it takes roughly 2 hours to drive from Adelaide to Cape Jervis. The ferry departs from Cape Jervis and is a 45 min ride (allow an hour) across to Penneshaw (Kangaroo Island). Penneshaw is then roughly 1 hour to Kingscote. There is no public transport on Kangaroo Island so if travelling with a car, some fore thought will need to go into your trip. There is a shuttle that runs twice a day, operated by Yorke Peninsular Coaches. Alternatively, some of our Kangaroo Island Tours do pick up and drop off in Penneshaw. Contact us to discuss options.
How long should we stay on Kangaroo Island?
Kangaroo Island is a lot bigger than what you realise. If you can stay for a night or two, we do highly recommend it, you will see so much more than in one day. In saying that, it is very doable to come across from Adelaide for the day. Many of our guests come over for the day. The coach departs from Adelaide at 06:45am and arrives Cape Jervis at 08:30am, connecting with the 09:00am ferry to Penneshaw (Kangaroo Island). We then meet you at the ferry terminal, when the ferry arrives, tour all day then we have you back by 6:30pm, giving you time to then catch the 07:30pm ferry back, connecting with the 08:30pm coach back to Adelaide. Our most popular tour from Penneshaw is the Scenic, Nature & Wildlife Tour.
Where do you recommend staying on Kangaroo Island?
Kingscote is the main hub of the island and is an hour from Penneshaw. It's easy to walk around to cafes and restaurants and tours often start earlier. There are quite a few different places in Kingscote to stay such as hotels, AirBnb's, holiday homes etc. Three places we recommend are the Aurora Ozone Hotel, The Seaview Motel and Villas on the Bay, all within walking distance from town and right on the waterfront.
Is it safe to swim on Kangaroo Island?
Kangaroo Island has some of the most stunning beaches in Australia but not all of them are safe. The top swimming spots on Kangaroo Island that are considered safe are: Penneshaw Beach, Stokes Bay Beach, Emu Bay Beach, Vivonne Bay Beach and Kingscote Tidal Pool. If you want to swim anywhere else, we recommend that you check by asking locals and checking https://beachsafe.org.au/