The Best Kangaroo Island Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days Here

This blog post is all about the best 3 days Kangaroo Island itinerary.

Kangaroo Island is one of the most breathtaking destinations in South Australia, with rugged coastlines, crystal-clear beaches, rolling vineyards, unique wildlife encounters and a peaceful, slow-paced atmosphere that feels a world away from mainland Australia.

Whether you’re visiting by yourself or joining a guided tour, a 3-day Kangaroo Island itinerary is the perfect amount of time to explore all the highlights.

I recently spent a long weekend on the island with Untamed Escapes on a group tour, and it ended up being one of my favourite short trips in Australia so far.

Our group tour took us from Adelaide to some of the island’s most iconic spots: Seal Bay, Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch, Dudley Wines and so many hidden gems.

This Kangaroo Island itinerary is based on that experience, plus extra recommendations to help you plan your own perfect getaway.

I also have a discount code for all Untamed Escapes tours ‘ORLAGHSESCAPES‘, so make sure to use this if you’re planning a future trip.

RELATED Kangaroo Island Itinerary blog posts to read:

Table of Contents

This blog post is all about the best Kangaroo Island itinerary.

How to Get to Kangaroo Island from Adelaide

How to Get to Kangaroo Island by Ferry (Most Popular Option)

Most travellers take the SeaLink ferry from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island.

Ferry duration: 45 minutes
Drive from Adelaide to Cape Jervis: Around 1 hour 30 minutes
Can you take a car on the ferry? Yes. SeaLink allows vehicles, or you can travel as a foot passenger.

How to Get to Kangaroo Island by Plane

You can also fly from Adelaide to Kingscote Airport with Rex.

Flight time: 30 minutes
Airport to Kingscote: 15–20 minutes

Flying is more expensive, but it’s the quickest option.

3 Days Kangaroo Island Itinerary

Below is a complete breakdown of my weekend Kangaroo Island itinerary, following the order of activities from my Untamed Escapes group tour.

I’ve also included a few optional stops if you’re travelling independently.

Kangaroo Island Itinerary Day 1

Travel From Adelaide & Ferry to Kangaroo Island

We set off from Adelaide at 6:30am and headed towards Cape Jervis.

The drive is scenic and filled with rolling hills and farmland, and our guide spent the journey sharing stories about the history of South Australia, the early explorers and how Kangaroo Island was first settled.

After taking the ferry from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw, we officially arrived on Kangaroo Island, and the 3 day adventure began.

Frenchman’s Rock & Penneshaw Beaches

Our first stop was Frenchman’s Rock, an important historical site marking the early French exploration of the island.

After learning about how Kangaroo Island was discovered, we took a short coastal walk around the beautiful beaches of Penneshaw, with views of clear blue water and white sand that immediately set the tone for the trip.

Pennington Bay & Mount Thisby Lookout

We continued on to Pennington Bay, a protected wildlife haven, before climbing the stairs up to Mount Thisby Lookout.

A short walk but so worth it for the panoramic coastal views.

Clifford’s Honey Farm

One of the highlights of Day 1!

Clifford’s Honey Farm is famous on the island, and we stopped here for a delicious honey ice cream and lunch.

It’s also a great spot to learn about Ligurian bees, which Kangaroo Island is known for.

Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery

Next, we visited Emu Ridge where we learned about eucalyptus oil production and even met a few rescued joeys.

It’s a beautiful example of sustainable tourism on the island.

Secret Beach at Stokes Bay

Stokes Bay has recently been named Australia’s Best Beach, and once you squeeze through the caves and rock passages, you’ll understand why.

We walked through to the secret cove and spent some time taking in the incredible turquoise water.

Optional beach additions if you’re driving yourself:

Snelling Beach
Western River Cove

Silo Art & Sunset at Camp

Before reaching our campsite, we made a quick stop at one of the island’s colourful silo artworks, which is an amazing piece celebrating local kangaroo wildlife.

We then made our way to the campsite, set up our swags, and enjoyed a BBQ dinner followed by stories around the campfire.

Our group of six (plus our guide) was the perfect size to get to know everyone. My group included travellers from Australia, Germany and Taiwan.

Kangaroo Island Itinerary Day 2

We woke up to kangaroos hopping around our campsite, which was genuinely one of the most magical Aussie experiences.

With chickens wandering the gardens and the sun rising, it was the perfect slow start to the second day of our Kangaroo Island itinerary.

Seal Bay Conservation Park

First on the itinerary was Seal Bay, one of the only places in the world where you can walk among an Australian sea lion colony.

We saw countless seals lazing on the sand, playing in the water and napping in the sun.

Vivonne Bay General Store

A classic Kangaroo Island stop!

We grabbed a coffee at the cult-favourite Vivonne Bay General Store (famous for their whiting burger), then continued on our journey.

Flinders Chase National Park

This is one of the most spectacular regions of Kangaroo Island, and we spent most of Day 2 exploring it.

Stops in the Flinders Chase National Park included:

Drunken Road: a wavy section of road that makes for fun photos
Remarkable Rocks: an absolute must-see. These giant granite rock formations look like something from another planet.
Admirals Arch: a natural rock arch with a boardwalk leading to incredible views and resident fur seals
Cape du Couedic Lighthouse
Wildlife Spotting: we saw echidnas, more seals and even a koala sitting by the roadside!

Evening at Antechamber Bay

Back at camp, we took a walk along the long stretch of beach at Antechamber Bay, one of the most peaceful beaches on the island.

After a sunset stroll, we tucked into lasagne for dinner and finished the day around the campfire.

Kangaroo Island Itinerary Day 3

Our final morning of this Kangaroo Island itinerary started with pack-up and another sunrise breakfast with the friendly kangaroos and chickens.

Morning Walk at Antechamber Bay

Before setting off, we took a long walk along the beach and even spotted a small snake enjoying the morning sun.

Cape Willoughby Lighthouse

The historic Cape Willoughby Lighthouse is a major highlight of the eastern end of Kangaroo Island.

We learned all about the shipwrecks that occurred around the island and the importance of the lighthouse in guiding early sailors.

Fat Beagle Coffee Shop

A cozy stop for coffee and a sweet treat that I highly recommended if you love local bakeries.

Dudley Wines

The perfect final stop before heading back to the ferry.

Dudley Wines offers:

Wine tasting
Breathtaking coastal views over Backstairs Passage
A driving range where you can hit golf balls into the ridge below
Delicious platters and pizzas

Ferry Back to Adelaide

We caught the afternoon ferry and made our way back to Adelaide after an incredible 3-day Kangaroo Island group tour.

Where to Stay on Kangaroo Island

Whether you’re camping, backpacking, or holidaying in luxury, Kangaroo Island has an amazing mix of accommodation options.

1. Budget Accommodation on Kangaroo Island

Camping or Holiday Parks: Great for budget travellers. Penneshaw, Kingscote, and Vivonne Bay all have good options.
Backpacker Hostels in Penneshaw or Kingscote

2. Mid-Range Accommodation on Kangaroo Island

Airbnbs: Cottages, beach houses and small apartments are popular around Kingscote and Penneshaw.
Kangaroo Island Seafront (Penneshaw)
Aurora Ozone Hotel (Kingscote)

3. Luxury Accommodation on Kangaroo Island

Ecopia Retreat (Seal Bay)
Oceanview Eco Villas (Nepean Bay)
Hamilton & Dune (Emu Bay)
Lifetime Private Retreats: perfect for a romantic getaway.

Where to Eat on Kangaroo Island

Some of the best restaurants on Kangaroo Island include:

Dudley Wines: Wine, pizzas, platters, epic views
Fat Beagle: Coffee, pastries, sweet treats
Vivonne Bay General Store: Known for the whiting burger
Kangaroo Island Brewery: Craft beers & casual food
Cactus Café (Kingscote): Fresh brunch options
The Oyster Farm Shop (American River): Fresh local oysters

How to Get Around Kangaroo Island

Below are different ways to explore this Kangaroo Island itinerary, whether it’s a self-guided trip or joining a group tour.

Rent a Car on Kangaroo Island

This is the most common option. Roads are easy to navigate but distances between attractions can be long.

Join a Guided Tour of Kangaroo Island with Untamed Escapes

Perfect for:

Solo travellers or couples (like us!)
Budget travellers
People who want a stress-free itinerary
Wildlife lovers

Cycling on Kangaroo Island

Possible but challenging due to long distances and dirt roads.

Untamed Escapes: A Great Option for a Kangaroo Island Group Tour

If you prefer to experience Kangaroo Island with a guide, I highly recommend Untamed Escapes.

Our group was small (six people + guide), which made the whole weekend Kangaroo Island itinerary feel personal and relaxed.

Accommodation (swag camping), activities, transport, national park fees, all meals and a brilliant guide were all included.

I also have a discount code for all Untamed Escapes tours ‘ORLAGHSESCAPES‘, so make sure to use this if you’re planning a future trip.

They also offer longer road trips, and I joined their 10-day Adelaide to Perth trip afterwards and I’ll have plenty of content to come on that soon!

RELATED Kangaroo Island Itinerary blog post to read: Ultimate 10-Day Adelaide to Perth Road Trip With Untamed Escapes Review

Is A 3 Days Kangaroo Island Itinerary Enough?

Absolutely, this three days Kangaroo Island itinerary is the perfect amount of time to see the main highlights of Kangaroo Island without feeling rushed.

From sleepy coastal towns to dramatic cliffs, underground caves, and some of Australia’s best wildlife encounters, Kangaroo Island is an unforgettable destination.

Whether you choose to self-drive or join a Kangaroo Island group tour, you’re guaranteed a trip full of adventure, nature and incredible views using this Kangaroo Island itinerary.