Itinerary
Tour day-by-day
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Day 1: East End Explorer
The exploration of the Dudley Peninsula begins at Pennington Bay situated at the narrowest part of the Island. This Southern Ocean beach is a popular fishing and surf spot and is one of the world's most picturesque stretches of coast. Guests will enjoy a delicious home-baked morning tea, overlooking extensive wave-cut platforms, contrasting deep aqua water, whilst being on the lookout for endangered Hooded Plovers, that often forage at the water's edge.
Guests will then head east to the serene marine sanctuary that is Pelican Lagoon. This is a prime opportunity to observe Kangaroo Island Kangaroos adjacent the lagoon along with adorable Tammar Wallabies living amongst the tea-tree thickets, that protect them from Australia's largest raptor, the Wedge-tailed Eagle.
The deep alluvial soils overlying limestone along the Willson River are perfect for grapevines and serve as the group's idyllic picnic lunch spot. The team at False Cape Wines have a newly opened cellar door experience overlooking well-established wines. Guests will sample their range of wines along with delightful local produce.
Next stop is the Cape Willoughby Lighthouse, established in 1852, stands tall on an exposed headland and is the island's most easterly point. Exploring the lighthouse precinct and the granite canyon known as "Devil's Kitchen" provides us with further opportunities to spot seabirds and marine life, with the option to wander with your wildlfie guide along white sandy beaches or seeking out birds on the quiet backwaters of the Chapman River estuary.
The day concludes in the charming town of Penneshaw, where guests can access a 4WD trail known as Binney's Track. Running adjacent to Baudin Conservation Park, this pristine stretch of coast provides habitat for a range of wildlife including Glossy Black Cockatoos, Kangaroo Island Kangaroos, Tammar Walalbies and Short-nosed Echidnas.
Overnight Accommodation: There are various levels of accomodation available (3-5 star, farmstay, B&Bs). Please enquire to find out options.
“Kangaroo Island was an amazing place to grow up, and a lot of things I loved as child – the outdoors, untouched nature, ridiculous freedom – are still the same today. We still have that joyful sense of freedom that a lot of places have lost. We’re able to maintain that.”
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Day 2: Island Life
The day starts with a trip to Wisanger, past salt lakes first exploited by sealers in the 1800s, followed by an exploration of Emu Bay with a delicious home-baked morning tea. This is one of island's most famed beaches, with beautiful white stretches, ideal for spotting shorebirds and seabirds.
Next up is an exploration of the central Cygnet Valley, traversing through picturesque redgum forests, narrow-leaved mallee and mixed farmland. This region provides habitat for Koalas, many parrots and bush birds. Guests will learn about the history of the Eucalyptus oil industry, before breaking for lunch on a private property amongst the redgum forest.
After lunch, guests will check out the feeding and breeding habitat of the critically endangered Kangaroo Island Glossy Black Cockatoo before continuing to Seal Bay, where coastal mallee transitions through coastal heath into dunes. This is the opportunity to encounter the third largest colony of Australian Sea-lions on a privately guided tour, where guests will learn about the feeding and breeding behaviour of these photogenic creatures. This unforgettable day concludes at D'Estrees Bay, home to the graceful Osprey and other seabirds, followed by a gentle walk around the marine lagoon at Wheaton's Beach.
Key Details
Group Size: Maximum of 12 guests, with a minimum ratio of one guide per 6 guests.
Pick-up and Drop Off Point: Kingscote Airport, Accommodations in Emu Bay, Kingscote, American River.
Pick-up and Drop-off Time: Approximately 9:00am - 6:00pm.
Languages: Translation services private tours available for French, German, Italian and Spanish (must be a private tour)Responsible Tourism
As part of our commitment to sustainability we have developed a Code Of Practice relating to our wildlife interactions which is available for your reference. We have also sought independent verification of our practices through Ecotourism Australia. Our Advanced Ecotourism Accreditation is awarded to a select number of Australia's leading and most innovative ecotourism products, providing an opportunity to learn about the environment with an operator who is committed to achieving best practice when using resources wisely, contributing to the conservation of the environment and helping local communities.
Recent Awards
WINNER TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013
LISTED Top 5 Wildlife Guides by Outside Go Magazine 2015
WINNER Outstanding Contribution to the Tourism Export Industry 2015 by the Australian Tourism Export CouncilRecent Testimonials
"Amazing tour that exceeded all expectations. The guide was unbelievably knowledgeable and showed us some of the great parts of KI. Best day of our honeymoon, just because of this tour. Thanks!" - David and Lucy, UK
"My trip got me to visit six states, albeit briefly in some. The two days of Kangaroo Island were the highlights. The very high quality of the tour for small groups, riding in backroads with knowledgable guides who are also competent chefs in a unique setting is a memorable experience." - Myron, Ontario
"This family owned tour operator is the best I have ever taken a tour with! The guide was enthusiastic, humorous and very informed about every question asked– considering wildlife, culture and geographical situation. As it was a small tour - he made me (and the fellow couple on the tour) feel very special. Exceptional Kangaroo Island truly kept their promise – good food (delicious whiting cooked on the barbeque), good wine (beautiful sauvignon blanc from the island) and wildlife in the wild (we saw a wide range of animals from kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, an echidna, wedge-tailed eagles to ants, butterflies, and all sorts of insects). I can only highly recommend this business. I will be back to take another tour with you – maybe next year?! Thanks Janet & Craig and the exceptional friendly office staff." - Manja, Berlin
