Return to the island

Take a SHORT BREAK (and make a big DIFFERENCE) on Kangaroo Island.

WORDS DILVIN YASA

quirky gin, vodka and liqueur flavours (honey and walnut, anyone?) Or if you prefer a cold one, Kangaroo Island Brewery, located just outside Kingscote, serves up eight craft beers as well as a decent menu.

SAMPLE SOME OF THE LOCAL DROPS

While we are talking about alcohol, it would be remiss to ignore the fact that the island was declared a wine region in 2001. Some of the biggest stars were affected by the bushfires, true, but anyone still interested in a bottle of The Islander Estate’s flagship Investigator Cabernet Franc can swing by the vineyard’s cellar door. Other wineries to add to your itinerary include Dudley Wines and Bay of Shoals.

TAKE A (SERIOUSLY PICTURESQUE) ROAD TRIP

The island’s 1600 kilometres of scenic road – mostly unsealed – whoosh past soaring cliffs, sand dunes and the ever-present wildlife; it takes two hours and 20 minutes to drive east to west and 45 minutes from north to south. You’ll need a 4WD with powerful brakes (those namesake kangaroos love to hop right out in front of you when you least expect it) and lots of pit stops to take photos.

There are quicker ways to get to Kangaroo Island than taking the Sealink Ferry from Cape Jervis (about one hour and 40 minutes south of Adelaide) to Penneshaw, but there are none more scenic. First, there’s the drive through the lovely Fleurieu Peninsula, and then the

OPT TO TAKE THE LONG WAY

post-ferry bite to be had at Millie Mae’s Pantry, a quaint cafe in a garden setting right by the ferry terminal.

Check out Penneshaw Market Day if you are on-island on the first Sunday of the month between October and April. It’s an event that brings the whole town to life with a diverse selection of regional foods, musical entertainment, community activities and artisan arts and crafts.

FOLLOW THE MARKET

Fill up your petrol on the island and kit out your rented accommodation with items you’ve purchased from the local supermarket. Head down to Kingscote Gift Shop and load up on souvenirs before popping in at every enterprise and dropping cash like a Rothschild. This is what community is all about. #bookthemout and get involved.

BUY LOCAL