On arrival at Adelaide Airport you check in for your flight to Kangaroo Island.
A staff member from Exceptional Kangaroo Island will greet you on arrival to Kingscote Airport and transfer you to your accommodation.
Following is an indicative programme which takes in the highlights of the island with your own private guide.
This morning you are met by your guide from Exceptional Kangaroo Island and kick off your Island Life tour (private basis, including lunch) with a visit to Seal Bay.
Take the opportunity to immerse yourself in Island Life - spend some time at a slower pace, a more connected and grounded place. Where we can share who lives in that house, who was driving that car and who baked the bread. This is a chance to learn about the community, the environment and the landscape.
Travel out through Wisanger - past salt lakes first exploited by sealers in the 1800s’. Travel through back roads to Emu Bay - seeking out wallabies, kangaroos and other creatures in the bush as we traverse the landscape. Break for a home-baked morning tea at Emu Bay - a long white sand beach which is the centre of community life through the summer and a welcome slice of solitude in winter.
Travel inland to Cygnet River - the largest drainage basin on the Island which morphs from a dry riverbed in summer to a broad flood-out in winter. This region provides habitat for koalas, many parrots and bush birds in a setting first settled in 1819. Learn about the history of the Eucalyptus oil industry - perhaps the most original Australian product.
Visit a private property amongst the redgum forest and enjoy a barbeque lunch. After lunch check out the feeding and breeding habitat of the critically endangered Kangaroo Island glossy black cockatoo before continuing to Seal Bay.
At Seal Bay take a private guided tour into the colony of Australian sea-lions where you can learn about the feeding and breeding behaviour of these photogenic creatures. The experience has been likened to that in the Galapagos, where people and animals enjoy “shared space”.
End the day at D'Estrees Bay where opportunities include looking for osprey or other seabirds, learning about Wreckers' Beach or taking a walk around the marine lagoon at Wheaton's Beach.
Later in the day you are transferred to your accommodation. Dinner is included in your stay.
Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and pack your swimmers and towel.
Your guide will again meet you and embark on your touring (private basis, picnic lunch included).
The Dudley Peninsula which forms the east end of Kangaroo Island is a microcosm of the rest of the island. The north coast has hills rolling down to the sea and white sand beaches. Roadside vegetation forms an avenue overhead many of the narrow roads. Ice-age dunes and rugged limestone cliffs dominate the south coast, which is indented by high-energy beaches.
Start the day at Pennington Bay situated at the narrowest part of the Island. This Southern Ocean beach is a popular fishing and surf spot. Enjoy home-baked morning tea overlooking extensive wave-cut platforms and contrasting deep aqua water.
Travelling east you get endless views of the serene marine sanctuary which is Pelican Lagoon. Adjacent the lagoon is excellent kangaroo habitat and the tea-tree thickets harbour tammar wallabies sheltering from their constant predator - the wedge-tailed eagle.
The deep alluvial soils of Willson River overlying limestone are perfect for grapevines. The team at False Cape Wines have a newly opened cellar door experience overlooking well-established wines. You will sample their range of wines and then enjoy a local produce picnic overlooking the vines.
Cape Willoughby Lighthouse, established in 1852, stands tall on an exposed headland. Explore the lighthouse precinct and the granite canyon known as "Devil's Kitchen". This lighthouse shines a warning for sailors traversing the treacherous Backstair's Passage. The headland provides protection from ocean swells for Antechamber Bay. Take a walk on the long white sandy beach or seek the birds on the quiet backwaters of the Chapman River estuary.
End the day in Penneshaw which can be accessed via a 4WD trail known as Binney's Track. This runs adjacent to Baudin Conservation Park which provides habitat for a range of wildlife including glossy black-cockatoos, kangaroos, wallabies and echidnas.
You return to your accommodation in the late afternoon.
Once again comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Today is at your leisure to enjoy your surrounds, or alternately another day of touring can be arranged.
As your touring would be on a private basis this day can be tailored to suit your interests and the level of activity you wish to enjoy. Suggestions for you to consider are:
- Meet the Dolphins (half day) - join your skipper for an ocean rafting adventure and come prepared for a swim. Your guide assists in the dolphin watch programme, and they can share details about the visual recognition system used to track dolphin movement between pods. Depending on weather conditions and the activities of any dolphins encountered this experience may include swimming with dolphins in the open ocean.
- Fat Tyre Bike Ride (half day) - Travel to Little Sahara – extensive sand dunes on the edge of Seal Bay Conservation Park. Get on your bike – a fat-tyre bike that is – for a guided ride through the bush keeping an eye out for wildlife and loop back around through the dunes.
- Fine Flavours Tour (full day) - Begin the day in the pristine farming region of Cygnet River, which produces a range of primary food sources including barley, wheat, canola, oats, lamb and beef. Visit Kangaroo Island Olives and enjoy a tailgate tasting of both table olives and the oils they produce. Continue on to Fryar’s Kangaroo Island Free Range Eggs and learn about the fascinating egg farm. The hens are free to roam wherever they like foraging in the pastures under the careful protection of Maremma guardian dogs. Visit the Kangaroo Island Oyster Farm Shop, which produces delicious Pacific Oysters in the calm waters of Eastern Cove. Depending on the season, either sample some oysters in the shop or at a secluded picnic spot. Your alfresco lunch features smoked meats, fresh salad and a selection of local beer and wines. After lunch visit Clifford’s Honey Farm, home of Kangaroo Island’s Ligurian Bee. Gain an insight into the production of honey, including a tasting of a range of honey plus Jenny’s famous Honey Ice Cream! After lunch travel to The Islander Estate Vineyards and visit their tasting room and sample a selection of their wines. End the day with a tasting at Kangaroo Island Spirits, who have won numerous awards globally (including New York and London) for their range of beautiful gins and liqueurs.
Today you return home.
You are transferred to the Kingscote Airport for your flight to Adelaide and connect with your homebound flight.
END OF ARRANGEMENTS
