Incredible Kangaroo Island Group Tour with Untamed Escapes: Review

This blog post is all about my Kangaroo Island group tour review with Untamed Escapes.

If you’re planning a trip to South Australia and wondering whether a Kangaroo Island group tour is worth it (especially if you’re travelling solo or want to meet new people) let me just say: yes.

A thousand times, yes.

I recently explored Kangaroo Island on a 3-day tour with Untamed Escapes, and it easily became one of my favourite Australian travel experiences so far.

From spotting wild seals and kangaroos to hiking lookouts, sipping wine at a clifftop winery, and camping under the stars with a small group of (now) friends, the entire weekend felt like a perfect mix of adventure, nature, and connection.

This Kangaroo Island group tour was a gifted partnership with Untamed Escapes, but (as always) all thoughts and experiences below are genuinely my own.

And if you’re thinking of booking your own tour, I have a discount code that works across all Untamed Escapes adventures: ‘ORLAGHSESCAPES‘.

Our Kangaroo Island group tour was actually the first part of a much bigger adventure. After this weekend, I joined a 10-day Adelaide to Perth road trip with a new group (content on that coming very soon!).

But today, I want to focus on this incredible Kangaroo Island group tour and share everything we did, what was included, and what you can expect if you join this tour yourself.

Whether you’re into wildlife, hiking, beaches, or you just want to do Kangaroo Island without planning a single thing, here’s my full, honest review of the Kangaroo Island group tour.

RELATED Kangaroo Island Group Tour blog posts to read:

And if you want to see our exact Kangaroo Island trip, you can see everything that we got up to on our Untamed Escapes tour in my Kangaroo Island YouTube vlog below:

Table of Contents

Who Are Untamed Escapes?

If you’re not familiar with Untamed Escapes, they’re one of Australia’s leading small-group adventure tour companies.

They focus on meaningful travel, things like nature, wildlife, food, culture, and connecting with local communities.

They also make group trips feel personal and intimate, thanks to their small group sizes and knowledgeable guides.

Having now travelled with them for more than 12 days straight (including my Adelaide to Perth road trip), I can honestly say their style of travel suits backpackers, solo travellers, and couples who want the flexibility of a road trip without the stress of planning anything.

Why Choose a Kangaroo Island Group Tour?

Traveling by yourself or with your partner can be amazing, but there’s something so special about joining a small group adventure.

A Kangaroo Island group tour takes away all the stress of organising ferry times, national park fees, meals, transport, and finding the best spots.

Untamed Escapes handled literally everything, and all I had to do was show up at 6:30am with my bag and my sense of adventure.

A few reasons I highly recommend this Kangaroo Island group tour:

1. You’ll see far more than you ever could on your own

The island is huge, and so much of it is remote.

Having a guide who knows the hidden beaches, short hikes, wildlife hotspots, and local stories makes all the difference.

2. The group size is small

We had just six people on our Kangaroo Island group tour, making it feel like a road trip with new friends rather than a big group bus tour.

3. All the meals, transport, and logistics are sorted

From daily breakfasts to BBQ dinners, ferry tickets, entry fees, and campsite gear, everything is covered.

4. You get insider stories and local history you’d never learn otherwise

Untamed Escapes guides are full of knowledge, and the island’s history is honestly fascinating.

5. You’ll meet likeminded travellers

Our Kangaroo Island group tour included a father and son from Australia, a guy from Taiwan, and a woman from Germany.

Such a mix of people from different backgrounds, but we all got on so well.

If you want to disconnect, see wild nature, and properly experience South Australia, a Kangaroo Island group tour is a perfect way to do it.

Kangaroo Island Group Tour: Our 3-Day Itinerary

Now, let’s get into everything we did on our Kangaroo Island group tour, with all the details.

Day 1: Ferry, Lookouts, Secret Beaches & A Campfire Under the Stars

Below is a run-through of our first day with Untamed Escapes.

Just note that the below might not reflect the exact itinerary on their website, but we ticked off everything there was to see (just in a slightly different order).

6:30am Adelaide Pickup & Drive to Cape Jervis

Our weekend started bright and early at the Adelaide Bus Station, where I met the rest of my group and our guide, Chris.

As we drove through the Fleurieu Peninsula, our guide shared stories about the early history of South Australia, the first settlers in the area, and how Kangaroo Island became such an important part of the region.

The drive went so quickly because we were chatting, learning heaps, and watching the sunrise over rolling hills (and spotting so many kangaroos!).

Ferry to Kangaroo Island & First Stop: Frenchman’s Rock

After boarding the ferry at Cape Jervis, we crossed over to Penneshaw and headed straight to Frenchman’s Rock, one of the island’s oldest historical landmarks.

Here, we learned about Kangaroo Island’s “discovery,” the French explorers who landed here, and how the island got its name.

Coastal Drive: Penneshaw, Beaches & Pennington Bay

Next, we cruised along the coastline, stopping at viewpoints overlooking the most beautiful turquoise bays and the stunning Pennington Bay.

Already, you could tell this island is something special.

Short Hike to Mount Thisby Lookout on Prospect Hill

Our first opportunity to stretch our legs was a short hike up the 350 steps at Mount Thisby Lookout at the top of Prospect Hill.

The view from the top is a panoramic sweep of the coastline, cliffs, and dense bushland, the perfect introduction to Kangaroo Island.

Clifford’s Honey Farm for Honey Ice Cream & Lunch

One of my favourite stops of the entire trip was Clifford’s Honey Farm, home of the famous honey ice cream.

So creamy. So delicious. So necessary.

We had lunch here and learned about the island’s protected Ligurian bee population, the only pure strain left in the world.

Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery

After lunch, we headed to Emu Ridge for a crash course in eucalyptus oil production.

The family-run distillery has been around for decades, and seeing the process up close was honestly fascinating.

We also met some rescued joeys, which was such a wholesome moment. I could’ve stayed here for hours just watching them sleep.

Stokes Bay Secret Beach

Next was one of the biggest highlights of the day: the secret beach at Stokes Bay.

You reach it by walking through a maze-like passage of rocks before suddenly emerging onto a hidden, crystal-blue lagoon.

It genuinely feels like entering another world, with no one else around.

Silo Art Stop

We made a quick roadside stop to admire some colourful silo art.

It’s a great photo spot and another example of how creative and community-driven Kangaroo Island is.

Arriving at Camp: Swags, BBQ Dinner & Campfire

By late afternoon, we arrived at our campsite: peaceful, tucked away, surrounded by wildlife, and genuinely such a soothing place to settle in for the night.

We set up our swags, cooked up a BBQ dinner, and finished the evening with marshmallows and chats around the fire.

It’s been a minute since I slept in a swag (back in May during our trip to Uluru) but I was excited that these swags came with poles to have a mini tent-like experience.

By this point, the whole group felt really comfortable together, just how a good group tour should feel.

Day 2: Seal Bay, Flinders Chase & Our Last Night Under the Stars

This is how our second day played out on our Kangaroo Island group tour:

Sunrise Breakfast with Kangaroos & Chickens

We woke up to kangaroos casually hopping through camp and chickens pecking around.

You really don’t get more Aussie than that, and I was fully living out my rural life Pinterest board.

Breakfast at sunrise was the perfect start before another full day of exploring Kangaroo Island.

Seal Bay Conservation Park

Our first stop was Seal Bay, where we walked down onto the beach to see one of Australia’s most important sea lion colonies.

There were so many adults, pups, and lazy seals snoozing in the sun.

Some of the younger pups were even friendly enough to approach a few of the groups to have a little sniff of their shoes. Absolutely adorable.

Coffee at Vivonne Bay General Store

We headed to the iconic Vivonne Bay General Store for a coffee stop and a morning muffin.

It’s a tiny, charming spot that every visitor should stop at at least once.

Exploring Flinders Chase National Park

Then it was off to the famous Flinders Chase National Park, one of Kangaroo Island’s biggest attractions.

After a picnic lunch, we spent the afternoon exploring its top natural attractions.

Photo Stop at “Drunken Road”

A quick fun detour, this wiggly-looking stretch of road looks warped due to the landscape.

It makes for a great optical illusion photo.

Remarkable Rocks

Remarkable Rocks is one of Kangaroo Island’s most iconic sights.

The massive prehistoric granite formations sculpted by wind and weather over millions of years.

Standing beside them makes you feel tiny and it made for many great photo opportunities.

Admirals Arch

We continued to Admirals Arch, an incredible natural rock arch where dozens of New Zealand fur seals sprawled across the rocks below.

The boardwalk views were unreal and we even spotted an echidna!

Cape du Couedic Lighthouse

Next was Cape du Couedic Lighthouse, where our guide told us about the island’s darker history of shipwrecks and tragedies before the lighthouse was built.

Wildlife Spotting Along the Way

Throughout the day, we spotted echidnas, more kangaroos, and even a wild koala sitting calmly by the roadside.

A memorable surprise for everyone.

Evening at Antechamber Bay & Campfire

After returning to camp, we took a walk down to Antechamber Bay, a pristine stretch of beach where we relaxed before heading back for lasagne and another cosy night by the fire.

Day 3: Lighthouse Tour, Local Treats & Wine Tasting with a View

One Last Sunrise Breakfast

Our final morning of the Kangaroo Island group tour started the same way, with sunrise, kangaroos, and a delicious breakfast.

The simplicity of this slow morning was honestly one of my favourite parts of the trip and one I wish I could bring back to the busy Sydney city life.

Morning Walk at Antechamber Bay

We took one last long walk along Antechamber beach, admiring how untouched and peaceful it was.

At one point we spotted a small snake sunning itself on the sand, a little reminder that this island is full of wildlife big and small.

Cape Willoughby Lighthouse

Our first official stop was Cape Willoughby Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in South Australia.

We learned about more of the many shipwrecks around the island and how dangerous this passage once was.

You can also spot quite a few kangaroos in this area too with an amazing backdrop of the ocean, and even some dolphins!

Coffee & Treats at Fat Beagle

Before heading to the winery, we stopped at the adorable Fat Beagle café for coffees and sweet treats.

Highly recommend the Blondies from here, so good!

Dudley Wines: Wine Tasting & Golf Balls Over a Cliff

Our final destination was Dudley Wines, and honestly, what a place to end the trip.

The cellar door sits high on the cliffs overlooking the ocean, and we spent our last hour tasting wines, relaxing on the deck, and (randomly but hilariously) hitting golf balls into the distance.

Ferry Back to the Mainland

Eventually, it was time to head back to Penneshaw for the ferry and make our way back to Adelaide.

By the end, the whole group felt like friends, and saying goodbye was surprisingly sad.

A sign of a truly great group tour.

What’s Included on a Kangaroo Island Group Tour?

Every Untamed Escapes itinerary may differ slightly, but here’s what was included on our Kangaroo Island group tour:

Return ferry to/from Kangaroo Island
All transport in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle
Two nights camping
Swags, mattresses & camping gear
All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
All national park fees & wildlife experiences
Wine tasting at Dudley Wines
A professional guide (and driver!)
Activities, lookouts & scenic stops
A small, intimate group

It’s an incredibly good value experience considering how much you do and how much is included.

What the Camping Experience Was Like

If you’ve never camped in a swag before, don’t panic.

I was quickly reminded of how cosy and comfortable it was.

The campsite itself felt so safe, clean, and peaceful, and sleeping under the stars (with kangaroos just metres away) is something I’ll always remember.

There are showers, toilets and a full kitchen at the Untamed Escapes campsite, so we had everything we needed and more.

Who A Kangaroo Island Group Tour Is Perfect For

This Kangaroo Island group tour is ideal for:

Solo travellers
Backpackers
Couples
Anyone without a car
Anyone wanting to see Kangaroo Island’s highlights in one easy weekend
Travellers wanting a social but relaxed group experience
Nature and wildlife lovers

If you’re short on time, this is easily one of the best ways to see the island.

What to Pack for a Kangaroo Island Group Tour

(Based on my own experience!)

Sunglasses + sunscreen (even though it was cloudy, I of course got sunburnt)
Warm layers for night and day (it was surprising cold and windy for November)
Comfortable walking shoes
A small day backpack
Camping pillow (we have inflatable ones that we always bring)
A reusable water bottle
Camera to capture all the amazing views
Portable charger (there are charging points at the campsite)
A hat (the sun can be both hot and invisible)
Swimwear (if you fancy a dip!)
Towel (for showering)

Is a Kangaroo Island Group Tour Worth It?

Absolutely.

This weekend was full of wildlife encounters, scenery that honestly didn’t look real, beautiful beaches, great food, and the kind of group dynamic that makes you leave feeling like you’ve made new friends.

Untamed Escapes crafted such a thoughtful, well-paced itinerary, one that let us see the highlights without ever feeling rushed.

If you want a fully immersive Kangaroo Island experience without the effort of planning a thing, then a Kangaroo Island group tour is the way to go.

I also did the 10-day Adelaide to Perth road trip with Untamed Escapes right after this, so I’ll have even more content coming soon!

Make sure to use my code ‘ORLAGHSESCAPES‘ to get 10% discount off any tour (including the Kangaroo Island group tour) with Untamed Escapes!