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Your Quick Guide for planning your Kangaroo Island Holiday

What you need to know for planning a great Kangaroo Island holiday

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Why would you want to visit Kangaroo Island?

If getting back to nature, experiencing unspoilt beauty, taking the pace of living back a step or three, experiencing peace, calm and space – then visiting Kangaroo Island and staying at Emu Bay Holiday Homes is a must.

How big is the Island and how long should I stay?

The island is a lot bigger than most people think with lots to see and do. It is just over 150 km long and about 55 km wide at the widest.

Whether it is the beautiful beaches of the North and South Coast, the iconic Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch, wildlife experiences, wine tastings and beautiful food, a long walk on the beach and then relaxing on your patio with a great book and a coffee or wine that attracts you, a 4 nights stay will give you time to get to most of the attractions, relax a little and soak up the views and peace at Emu Bay Holiday Homes.

A two night stay will give you a small taste of what the Island offers and a week or longer will give you time for real rest and rejuvenation. The most common thing I hear guests say is ” We wish we were staying longer”.

 

How do I get to Kangaroo Island?

There are two ways you can reach Kangaroo Island from mainland Australia. You can travel by sea or air. You can take the 45-minute ferry ride from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw or a  short 35-minute domestic flight from Adelaide to Kingscote Airport with Rex.

Self drive is definitely the way to go as its gives you the flexibility to spend your time on what you enjoy most.

Whether you are bringing your own vehicle or a  rental vehicle:

We can book your ferry for you!

Book a Ferry

Some car hire places in Adelaide do not allow their vehicles to be brought on the ferry, or drive on dirt roads or after dusk so make sure you check the details if  you need to hire a vehicle in Adelaide. Vehicles can also be hired on the Island from Penneshaw.

Budget     Hertz

 

 

KIConnect is a passenger service ferry only that connects via bus from Adelaide and offers vehicle hire in Penneshaw. You can also drive to Cape Jervis and leave your car there.

Click to know more

The ferry crossing departure point at Cape Jervis is approximately a 2-hour drive from central Adelaide. The actual crossing lasts about 45 minutes. You must arrive 30 minutes prior to your ferry departure time to allow time for check-in and loading.

 

Flight with Qantas Airline or Regional Air Express(REX)

Flights from Adelaide (ADL) to Kingscote (KGC) with either Regional Express  or Qantas is about 30 minutes in duration. COVID has affected schedules so please check availability. Vehicles are available for hire at the Kingscote Airport. It is recommended that you prebook your vehicle.

 

Budget     Hertz

 

 

What is there to do on Kangaroo Island?

To make sure you have the best time possible on your stay, a handy guide has been compiled to the island’s top attractions. Find places to eat, attractions to visit, driving times and other information that will be helpful on your visit. As you’ll see, there is so much to do that at least a 4 night stay is recommended. At Emu Bay Holiday Homes we offer a minimum two night stay and discounted rates for longer stays.

 

Click the map to learn more.

 

Where to stay and why Emu Bay?

If you enjoy your own space, privacy, peace and quiet, good social distancing, great sea views, easy access to the beach and Kingscote – Emu Bay Holiday Homes gives you great balance between being close enough to what you need and away from everything for a good break.
Emu Bay is well positioned to be able to access Kingscote easily with a  15 minute drive for access to restaurants, stocking up on any provisions you may need and to visit the many attractions around the area.

Some suggested excursions.

  • Half day outings: Stokes Bay and the other North Coast beaches, KI Wildlife Park and Parndana for lunch at the Cafe or local pub.
  • South Coast Road – Raptor Domain, Seal Bay, Bales Bay, Vivonne Bay could be full or half day.
  • Adventure excursions: Sand boarding or E-Bikes at Little Sahara, Quad biking at Vivonne Bay.
  • Wineries including Islander Estate, Springs Road Winery, KIS Gin distillery, Bay of Shoals Winery and the KI Brewery. Recommended to visit False Cape Winery (mention you’re staying at Emu Bay Holiday Homes for a discount) and Dudley Winery on arrival or departure day.
  • Art galleries, gift, craft, The Beehive and other shops in Kingscote, with a nice lunch at Cactus.
  • Fishing – from the jetty or beach in Emu Bay or Kingscote, fishing charters or dolphin excursions.
  • Multiple hikes all around the island. The Sculpture Trail in Penneshaw is great for arrival or departure day, and the lookout at Prospect Hill near Vivonne Bay gives you expansive views.  https://www.tourkangarooisland.com.au/walks-and-hikes
  • Full day: Visit Flinders Chase National Park and see the iconic Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch.

As you can see, definitely too much for a 2 day stay, although you’ll get a taste for what you want to come back for. 

 

Emu Bay Holiday Homes is very popular with our guests. Have a look at what they say on Tripadvisor and Google. 

Trip Advisor Google Reviews

 

Eating out?

 

Multiple options for dining out in Kingscote (click here). An array of pop up caravans operate as well. Look for the sign as you drive in or on the foreshore. Fresh local fish at the Fish and Chips Shop at the Caltex Service Station and a Beef Brisket Burger from Amanda’s Take Away is a must. Cactus and the Emu Bay Lavender Farm that is open for breakfast and lunch are favourites among the locals. 

If you feel like “eating out” with the views from your home at Emu Bay Holiday Homes contact Lucy’s KIKitchen that does delivered meals to your accommodation for self heating. 24 hour notice required.

 

Emu Bay Holiday Homes looks forward to being your HOME AWAY FROM HOME when you choose to use as your base for your Kangaroo Island Holiday.

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Reviews and Testimonials

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Exceeded our high expectations!

A wonderful experience that exceeded all expectations. The cabin has everything one needs. The surroundings are very beautiful and kangaroos, koalas and the birds come to visit often. Just when we thought it was as good as it can be, we realized there was more! Incredible starry skies and a lot of shooting stars. Wishing we could have stayed for more than 9 days.

– Trip48477180221

Vacation ❘ Couple

We stayed in the Bayview Guest wing, perfect for the two of us, for our seven night stay. Although it is attached to Amani House, (so it can be hired as part of Amani too), it is very well sound proofed and we chatted to our neighbours at times but felt undisturbed by their presence. Fantastic views of the superb Emu Bay, surrounded by wildlife and we were made very welcome by Rene and Johannes. The lovely Rene visited us to make sure we had whatever we needed and she is very knowledgeable about KI and can answer any questions you might have. Everything we needed was supplied, including a welcome gift of a bottle of False Cape red wine, local honey and KI oats and the apartment was beautifully clean. An easy walk to the beautiful beach, friendly locals and a fifteen minute drive to Kingscote for a meal at the pub, or the local Italian.

(Booking is a good idea!)

Highly recommend Emu Bay Holiday Homes.

– nick vallence

Vacation ❘ Family

“Emu Bay Holiday Homes offers a delightful experience with its stunning views of Emu Bay, exceptional service, and comfortable rooms. The central location is perfect for exploring the major attractions of Kangaroo Island. A special thanks to the owner for providing an EV charging facility, which adds a thoughtful touch to an already fantastic stay. Highly recommended for anyone visiting the area!”

– Jag Kakarlapudi