Must-do Kangaroo Island Experiences: 5 reasons to explore our unique wine region on your Kangaroo Island holiday.

If you're planning a trip to Kangaroo Island & looking for unique experiences, don't miss exploring our Island's wine region. Here are our top five reasons why.

1.  A wine region unlike any other

Kangaroo Island is Australia’s only Geographically Indicated small island wine region.  Located off the coast of South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula with the wild Southern Ocean to the south, Kangaroo Island combines a mediterranean climate with a strong maritime influence.

The dominating ocean influences moderate the temperature, making it significantly cooler in summer and warmer in winter than other South Australian wine regions. This allows for a long, even growing season and an excellent balance of sugar and acidity in the grapes. Being an Island wine region, these maritime conditions are unique to Kangaroo Island.
 

2.  Incredible Diversity

Kangaroo Island offers a diverse range of wine styles to explore. This wine region covers an enormous area of 4,400 km2 (10 times the size of McLaren Vale), with just seven wine labels producing across diverse sub-climate zones and soils. Unlike more intensely planted wine regions, vineyards on Kangaroo Island are surrounded by vast tracts of open farmland and native vegetation, each with its unique terroir.

As a young wine region, different approaches and winemaking experiences also drive diversity. Some of the region's labels were established by farming families with generations of agricultural experience on Kangaroo Island, who diversified into wine, learning and experimenting along the way.  Other wine labels were established by experienced winemakers bringing their expertise from other regions nationally and internationally.

When Jacques Lurton, a sixth-generation winemaker from the famous Lurton family in Bordeaux, visited Kangaroo Island in 1997, he instantly recognised the conditions similar to both Bordeaux and Languedoc regions where he had grown up in France. He decided Kangaroo Island would be the place to establish his own Australian wine label and found the perfect property to grow and handcraft wine that would put Kangaroo Island on the world wine map.

3. Unique Wine Varieties

The first grapes planted on Kangaroo Island were classic Australian varietals, such as shiraz, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and chardonnay. As winemakers with different expertise gravitated to the region, more interesting varietals were planted, like savagnin, arinto, albariño and tempranillo.

Having worked with an array of varietals throughout Europe and South America, Jacques chose to introduce varietals like cabernet franc, malbec, semillon, viognier and sangiovese to his vineyards on Kangaroo Island to create unique cool-climate expressions unlike those he has produced elsewhere in the world.

The Islander Estate Vineyards blends European elegance and finesse with Australian creativity. Using European varietals, equipment imported from France and many traditional 'old-world' winemaking techniques, our hallmark is elegant cool-climate wines that take their inspiration from French heritage but are creatively crafted and uniquely Kangaroo Island.

4. Intimate Wine Experiences

The Kangaroo Island wine region offers a personal wine-tasting experience. There are no "mega" wine complexes. Each cellar door is small, rustic and unique. This allows for a customised experience where you can get to know the winemakers and learn more about the winemaking process.

The Islander Estate Vineyards Tasting Room was designed to be deliberately intimate and pared back.  It offers beautiful rural surroundings with decks and lawns to enjoy a platter and a bottle of wine. Our staff's personalised experience and knowledge will ensure that your wine tasting is an unforgettable experience.

5. Get to know the Kangaroo Island locals

One of the best ways to get a feel for a new place is to meet the locals, learn about their stories, and get insider tips on the best spots to visit. A hosted wine-tasting experience is a fantastic way to spend one-on-one time with locals.

Our team at The Islander Estate Vineyards love sharing their favourite spots to enjoy wine on the beach, at sunset, and where to picnic each season.

To sum it up, Kangaroo Island's wine region is a hidden gem that offers a unique and intimate experience. With its unique climate, diverse wine styles, and intimate cellar doors, a wine experience should be at the top of your list when planning your Kangaroo Island holiday. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience.

Book your wine experience now at The Islander Estate Vineyards

Gutsy 2023 Festival is here. Start planning your cool season visit.

Join us for the Gusty 2023 Festival on Kangaroo Island

In its second year, the Gutsy Kangaroo Island 2023 festival will take place from June 8 to June 12.  A winter celebration of the determination and brilliance of the Island’s producers. With nineteen events scheduled over five days, including the June long weekend, the Island is set to be bustling.

Kangaroo Islanders defy the odds, always, whether that be the distance, the weather, or the isolation, to craft their product, and the stories to be told about how they achieve this, are incredible.”

The Islander Estate Vineyards is excited to be holding a unique event
"From the Source.  A Cabernet Franc and Truffle Sensory Experience".
Saturday 10th June at The Islander Estate Vineyards Tasting Room.

Join us for a unique experience exploring two of the world's luxury products Cabernet Franc and Truffles, with the beauty of Kangaroo Island as the backdrop.

This intimate event begins at our Tasting Room with an educational masterclass on Cabernet Franc, one of the world's most elegant wine varietals. Enjoy a museum tasting of The Islander Estate Vineyard's flagship wine, The Investigator and discover what inspired Bordeaux winemaker Jacques Lurton to grow it on Kangaroo Island.

Then stroll to Kangaroo Island's first fledgling truffle orchard & meet owner Enzo Di Lalla for an exclusive insight into the dedication required to grow and harvest this coveted luxury food.  

To wrap up the event, we will pair the two delicacies with a selection of rustic truffle dishes prepared by Kangaroo Island Source served stand-up fireside at the Tasting Room.

General Public Ticket price is $150.00 per person
Our Discoverer's Wine Club Members are offered a special ticket price of $99.00 for themselves & 1 guest.  

Book your ticket now

Download the Gutsy 2023 Festival Program

Our favourite things to see & do on Kangaroo Island

We love sharing our Kangaroo Island home with guests. Here are just a few of our team's favourite places to visit, things to do, and places to eat, drink & stay. So you can explore Kangaroo Island like a local.

Stay Central:  Cygnet River, Kingscote & Surrounds

The area encompassing Cygnet River, Kingscote & Emu Bay offers a fantastic half-day cellar door cruise (or add in breakfast & lunch for a full date saunter).  There are plenty of things to see & do between tastings.

TASTE:

THE ISLANDER ESTATE VINEYARDS
How could we not invite you to visit our intimate Tasting Room first & foremost?  We pride ourselves in providing personally hosted tastings, showcasing our handcrafted wines which blend the best of old-world French winemaking techniques with the creative freedom & stunning environment Kangaroo Island offers.

The Islander Estate Vineyards is both Kangaroo Island's only Halliday Wine Companion 5-star rated winery & Australian Gourmet Traveller Wines Star Cellar Door 2022.

Book one of our premium food & wine experiences & save.  Or indulge in a private tasting experiences.

Visit us 6 days a week (closed Wednesday), noon to 5pm
78 Gum Creek Road, Cygnet River, Kangaroo Island

SPRINGS ROAD WINES
Our neighbours and friends Joch Bosworth & Louise Hemsley-Smith grow classic Australian varietals at their Springs Road vineyard (orignally a sheep farm). They also own the respected McLaren Vale winery Battle of Bosworth which has been accredited organic for almost thirty years, so they have great credentials.  Drop into their cellar door for a tasting.
Don't miss: The Terre Napolean Shiraz.
761 Playford Hwy, Cygnet River, Kangaroo Island
www.springsroad.com.au

KANGAROO ISLAND SPIRITS
Have you even been to Kangaroo Island if you haven't had a cocktail in the KI Spirits gin garden?   Their recent expansion means they offer fantastic gin blending & cocktail classes.
Don't miss: We love the Mulberry Gin
856 Playford Hwy, Cygnet River, Kangaroo Island
www.kangarooislandspirits.com.au

BAY OF SHOALS WINES
Just a few minutes outside of the town of Kingscote, visit to take in the wonderful views across the vineyard to the sea over a tasting or a picnic hamper.
Don't miss: Alternative white varietals from Spain like Albarino & Arinto.
749 Cordes Rd, Kingscote, Kangaroo Island
wwww.bayofshoalswines.com.au

EMU BAY LAVENDER
Set amongst commercial lavender groves which yield a wonderful variety of lavender products, Emu Bay Lavender offers some of the best breakfasts on Kangaroo Island & great lunches to boot.
Don't miss: For brunch - Eggs Benedict with a glass of bubbles.  At lunch the Johl Momo Dumplings are fantastic.
205 Emu Bay Rd, Wisanger, Kangaroo Island       
www.emubaylavenderfarm.com

THE ODD PLATE - Temporarily closed due to fire, stay tuned for reopening info.
Kingscote's hottest dining venue, created by team Dylan & Yolandi in a 1927 heritage guesthouse, The Odd Plate has set the town abuzz.
Don't miss: Sit back & experience the sharing menu (& the cocktails are amazing)
51 Chapman Tce, Kingscote, Kangaroo Island 
www.theoddplate.com.au

CAFE BELLA
If a long day of touring has you craving an easy dinner, Cafe Bella pumps out delicious pizza and pasta from their tiny cafe in Dauncey Street, Kingscote.  Dine in or get take-away to enjoy on the seafront lawns with a delicious glass or three of local Sangiovese.
64 Dauncey Street, Kingscote, Kangaroo Island
www.bellacafekangarooisland.com.au

OZONE HOTEL
As well as being the primary hotel in Kingscote for accommodation, the Ozone Hotel has a bistro restaurant serving great quality modern Australian & pub food.  If you're planning to eat in, the bottle shop has a lovely selection of Kangaroo Island wines.
67 Chapman Terrace, Kingscote, Kangaroo Island
www.ozonehotelki.com.au

EXPLORE

DUCK LAGOON NATURE RESERVE
Just a few minutes from The Islander Estate Vineyards' tasting room, Duck Lagoon Nature Reserve is a secret picnic spot alive with native wildlife.  It has bird hides, picnic tables, BBQs & toilets onsite.
Don't miss: Look up as well; there are koalas to find!
Duck Lagoon Road, Cygnet River, Kangaroo Island

EMU BAY BEACH
With calm waters and stunning white sand, Em Bay is the local beach for many Kangaroo Islanders for after-work swims with a cold wine in hand.
Don't miss: Dolphins cruising by.
Emu Bay Road, Emu Bay, Kangaroo Island

KANGAROO ISLAND E-BIKE TOURS
A new way to experience Kangaroo Island from our friends at Exceptional Kangaroo Island.  Put yourself in the hands of a local expert on the Gin, Wine & Wildlife E-Bike Tour.  It's an easy ride on their modern e-bikes along back roads & to visit secret spots while you take in a cellar door trail of the Cygnet River area.
Don't miss:  A fully catered lunch in a secluded private bush setting alongside the Cygnet River.         www.exceptionalkangarooisland.com.au

STAY

HAMILTON & DUNE
Two of the most luxurious homes on Emu Bay & our favourite place to deliver a private wine masterclass.
Don't miss: A private catered degustation dinner overlooking the ocean.
Dune Road, Emu Bay, Kangaroo Island                
www.hamiltondune.com.au

STOWAWAY
If you're seeking luxury couples' accommodation, Stowaway has luxury covered to the very last detail.  From a private sauna, double-sided wood fire, huge bath & outdoor hot tub with the ocean, farm-scape and native bushland views where the only visitors might be local kangaroos.
Don't miss: A glass of champagne in the bath watching the sunset.
3923 North Coast Road, Stokes Bay, Kangaroo Island
www.stowawayki.com.au

THE CAPE
Stunning self contained accommodation for 8 people with paonormic views across Emu Bay beach.  If you're holidays with friends or family, The Cape is a great option.
Don't Miss:  Cocktails on the deck at sunset
61 Bayview Road, Emy Bay
www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/31193629

 

Go East:  Dudley Peninsula

Most people start & finish their Kangaroo Island holiday on the eastern end of Kangaroo Island.  While many of the main tourist attractions are on the western end, it's well worth allocating some time to exploring Kangaroo Island's Dudley Peninsula.

TASTE

MILLIE MAE' S PANTRY
An overnight cafe icon in Penneshaw, the garden setting is as good as the delicious food for breakfast or lunch.
Don't miss: Mimosa for breakfast?  Don't mind if we do!
Nat Thomas Street, Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island           
www.milliemaespantry.com

PENNESHAW PUB
This historic pub has been keeping locals & visitors fed & watered since 1886.  It's been renovated many times since & today the place to spend an afternoon is on their outdoor terrace with spectacular views overlooking backstairs passage.  You may even spot a whale while you sip on a glass of wine.  The food is also delicious for lunch & dinner.
Don't miss:  Live music afternoons on the terrace
North Terrace, Penneshaw
www.penneshawpub.com.au

DUDLEY WINES
Dudley Wines is run by one of the oldest farming families on the Dudley Peninsula.  Their Cellar Door at Cuttlefish Bay has spectacular views back to mainland Australia that can't be beaten.
Don't miss: A tasting paddle over lunch & a hit of golf
1153 Cape Willoughby Road, Cuttlefish Bay, Kangaroo Island
www.dudleywines.com.au

EXPLORE

KANGAROO ISLAND SCULPTURE TRAIL
This 4.5-hectare art trail nestled amongst the sand dunes of Penneshaw is a testament to a group of dedicated community volunteers. The Kangaroo Island Sculpture trail is a must-do experience featuring a growing collection of art from local, national & international artists.
Don't miss: Scan the QR codes on each installation to hear directly from the artist
Frenchmans Tce, Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island
www.kangarooislandsculpturetrail.com

BOOMERBANK
Found object sculptor Indiana James has been a favourite KI artist for many years. Stop at his Pelican Lagoon gallery for an authentically Kangaroo Island experience.
Don't miss: Wife Linda's handmade hats.
3196 Hog Bay Rd, Pelican Lagoon, Kangaroo Island         
www.indianajames.com.au

BROWN BEACH
Two adjacent beaches offer stunning sunset views across the bay to American River & fantastic facilities like warm showers, bbq facilities & toilets make this a favourite spot for an evening wine.
Don't miss: A walk along the beach for coveted Cowrie shells
Brown Beach Campground, Hog Bay Road, Brown Beach, Kangaroo Island
www.tourkangarooisland.com.au/experiences/brown-beach

ANTECHAMBER BAY
Chapman River flows down to the spectacular Antechamber Bay beach providing a huge array of sheltered picnic spots alongside the river & with beach access.
Don't miss: Fishing for bream in the river mouth.
Cape Willoughby Road, Antechamber Bay, Kangaroo Island
www.southaustralia.com/products/kangaroo-island/attraction/antechamber-bay

CAPE WILLOUGHBY LIGHTHOUSE
The most easterly point of the island, Cape Willoughby Lighthouse, has stood guard here since 1852 to protect passing ships from danger.
Don't miss: A guided tour with local experts or an overnight stay in the lighthouse keeper's cottages.
Cape Willoughby Rd, Cape Willoughby, Kangaroo Island
www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/cape-willoughby-conservation-park

STAY

MERCURE LODGE AMERICAN RIVER
American River is a stunningly peaceful place to end the day & the Mercure Lodge team will make you very comfortable.
Don't miss: Dinner at the Reflections Restaurant & a visit to the local oyster farm
Scenic Drive, American River, Kangaroo Island
www.kilodge.com.au

ONE KANGAROO ISLAND
Our friends Corrina & Hugh have created one the most spectacular luxury accommodation on Kangaroo Island, so splurge!
Don't miss: A soak with a glass of champagne in one of South Australia's most stunning outdoor baths.
Hog Bay Road,  Brown Beach, Kangaroo Island   
www.onekangarooisland.com.au

THORN PARK B&B
For an intimate & fully hosted accommodation option we recommend staying with David & Michael at Thorn Park.  With decades of experience hosting luxury B&B guests you'll be well looked after.  Their beautifully appointed property has spectacular views overlooking Penneshaw. A stay includes indulging in David's delicious catering paired with some phenomenal wines.
Don't miss: Booking in for a private cooking class
50 Wright Street, Penneshaw
www.thornpark.com.au/thorn-park-on-kangaroo-island/

Download this 'Our Favourites' Guide to Kangaroo Island

Ready to start booking?  Start with a premium food and wine experience at The Islander Estate Vineyards

Kangaroo Island Cellar Door trails with something for everyone

The Kangaroo Island wine region is a new discovery that's well worth setting aside some time to explore.  We’ve put together two one-day itineraries that blend cellar-door experiences with loads of things to see & do on Kangaroo Island to keep the entire crew entertained.
 

Start here: Book a Premium Wine & Food Experience at The Islander Estate Vineyards & save.  

---

Itinerary 1: Cruise Cygnet River & surrounds. 
A great place to start if you are staying in Kingscote or Emu Bay.

Breakfast at Emu Bay Lavender Farm 

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at the Emu Bay Lavender Farm.  They’re famous for their lavender scones (legitimate breakfast food, we think), but there’s so much more on the menu.   They have a stunning setting, and when the scent of lavender is in the air, how can the morning be anything but relaxing?  
www.emubaylavenderfarm.com
 

Stroll along Emu Bay beach 

Work off breakfast with a stroll along this stunning 5km beach, one of the most popular on Kangaroo Island.  The sheltered north coast waters are mostly calm and clear, making it a great spot for a morning swim.  The main car park also has a playground where the kids can work off breakfast or explore the jetty for sea creatures.

Take the road less travelled 

From Emu Bay, head off the bitumen along Boxer Road for a shortcut to your first wine tasting at The Islander Estate Vineyards.  Stop en-route to check out the White Lagoon salt lake.  This road will take you past traditional farming properties, and at the right time of year, you’ll pass stunning fields of bright yellow canola.
 

Start your wine discovery at The Islander Estate Vineyards cellar door

Start your tasting day with an introduction to our world of wine at The Islander Estate Vineyards. Our team will welcome you for a hosted tasting of our French-influenced cool climate wines crafted by our owner, Jacques Lurton.

After a career spanning several decades making wine in his native Bordeaux and around the world, Jacques fell in love with Kangaroo Island in 2000, purchased a property and established a vineyard with a vision to showcase the true potential of our Island region on the world stage of wine.  On Kangaroo Island, Jacques combines his expertise and traditional French winemaking techniques with the freedom of winemaking offered in Australia.  The result is a range of wines that blend old and new-world wine styles. 

Treat yourself to one of our premium food and wine experiences.  Or, after your tasting, choose your favourite wine and let our team help you create a picnic hamper of French charcuterie, regional cheeses and local produce to match. 

 

Discover Slow Fashion at Kangaroo Island Wool

Kangaroo Island Wool's new custom-built facility, just a few minutes from the airport and The Islander Estate's tasting room, offers an immersive experience from farm to fashion.  Book one of their 45-minute tour experiences. Explore the history of wool on Kangaroo Island before taking a fully guided tour through their working mill. Then purchase a beautiful piece of hand-crafted woollen fashion you'll be wearing for decades. 
www.kangarooislandwool.com

Picnic immersed in nature at Duck Lagoon

Just a few minutes drive from The Islander Estate’s cellar door, you'll discover Duck Lagoon, a stunning natural lagoon.  It's home to a huge array of birds, echidnas and resident koalas.  With picnic facilities, BBQs, toilets and a bird hide, it's a fantastic spot to relax with a picnic while the kids explore and count how many different animal species they can spot.
 

Get in the spirit at Kangaroo Island Spirits 

Continue exploring the Cygnet River Artisan trail with a visit to Kangaroo Island Spirits for a paddle of their award-winning gins, or settle in the garden with a cocktail.  Their new cellar door development is truly stunning, and if you have the time, you can even join in a cocktail masterclass (book ahead).  www.kangarooislandspirits.com.au

Our pick: We can’t help but be partial to the Kangaroo Island Coastal Vodka, which features samphire hand-picked locally from the Island's shores.

Sip a new wine style at Springs Road Wines

Our neighbours and great friends, Joch and Louise Bosworth have a fantastic reputation for their organic wines in McLaren Vale under their labels Battle of Bosworth and Spring Seed Wine Co. So we were excited when they also fell in love with Kangaroo Island and purchased an established vineyard in Cygnet River in 2016.  Springs Road Wines bring a new dimension to the Kangaroo Island wine industry, and their intimate tasting room set overlooking the vineyard is a must-visit for any lover.  www.springsroad.com.au

Our wine pick:  James Halliday’s 2021 Wine Companion rates the Springs Road Wines Kangaroo Island Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2018 at 94 points, and we can’t argue with that. 
 

Sundowners at Bay of Shoals 

Vineyards don’t get much closer to the ocean than at Bay of Shoals.  Their cellar door overlooking Reeves Point and the Bay of Shoals is a great place to wind up your tasting tour. Their wines are grown, harvested and made onsite alongside the Cellar Door, offering guided tastings and build-your-own platters to enjoy outdoors overlooking the bay. www.bayofshoalswines.com.au

Our wine pick:  We love Bay of Shoals' alternative varietal white wines like their Savagnin &  Arinto.

Wind up the day

Finish your day with dinner in Kingscote. Our favourite places to dine:
The Ozone Hotel for great quality pub fare (www.ozonehotelki.com.au/restaurant-bar),
Café Bella for Italian cuisine (www.bellacafekangarooisland.com.au). 

Stay

Get a good night’s rest because tomorrow has a whole new day of Cellar Door touring in store!   

There’s no shortage of unique luxury accommodation options within reach of today’s trail.  Some of our very favourite places to settle in are:
At Emu Bay, Hamilton and Dune www.hamiltondune.com.au and Copperstone Kangaroo Island www.copperstoneki.com
On the northwest coast,  Lifetime Private Retreats www.life-time.com.au and Top Deck at Snellings Beach www.topdeckatsnelling.com. New in the luxury market is Wander Kangaroo Island www.wander.com.au/locations/kangarooisland/
At Stokes Bay, Stow Away offers absolute luxury for couples. www.stowawayki.com.au

We’ve even created a Google map for our
Cruise the Cygnet River & Surrounds itinerary,
Click here, and you’re good to go!  

 

---

Itinerary 2:  Explore the East End
 

Get nourished with breakfast at Millie Mae’s

Start your day in Penneshaw with breakfast at Millie Mae’s Pantry.  This café has become a star of the east end’s eating scene.  Treat yourself to local pastries, great coffee, fresh juices, or a cooked breakfast.  They’ll even wet your whistle with a mimosa made with The Islander Estate Vineyards Petiyante sparkling.www.milliemaespantry.com

Stretch your legs on the Kangaroo Island Sculpture Trail 

Just a few minutes walk along the Penneshaw foreshore from Millie Mae’s, this sculpture trail is a constant evolution, set amongst 4.5 hectares of dunes overlooking stunning Hog Bay beach with views back to the mainland. 

The 1.5 km trail winds through the dunes and features lookouts, steps, boardwalks, a swing bridge, seating, and scenic views with a surprise at every turn. Stunning sculptures are dotted along the trail, and new installations always appear, each one bringing to life an aspect of our Island’s culture, community, and natural environment. 
www.kangarooislandsculpturetrail.com

Look for surprises on the Wallaby Track 

If you have kids on board with some energy still to burn, the ‘locals secret’ Wallaby Track a little further along the foreshore is an entirely different trail for the little visitors to explore.  Look out for the signs at the start of this 3 km return hike which follows a spring-fed creek bed with naturally occurring waterfalls (in winter) into limestone features. Look out along the way for hidden animals, real and play. Find it here.  
 

Land at Dudley Wines for lunch with a view

Head out of Penneshaw on the road towards Cape Willoughby lighthouse, and you can’t miss Dudley Wines cellar door.  Relax on the deck with a pizza or platter and a wine paddle while you look back over the Backstairs Passage to mainland Australia and see if you can spot a whale.  They have a great nature playground for little kids and a golf tee for the big ones.  The Howards have a true family-run business incorporating wine and traditional farming on Kangaroo Island.  www.dudleywines.com.au

Our wine picks?  Dudley Wines have some great options for wine drinkers who enjoy fruit-forward wines.  Try Thirteen Sparkling Shiraz NV, Dudley Ripple or Glossy Black Sweet Red.

Explore where the river meets the sea at Antechamber Bay

After lunch, continue on the road towards Cape Willoughby lighthouse.  After about 10 minutes, you’ll spy the signs for Lashmar Conservation Park, which includes the vast Antechamber Bay and the Chapman River flowing to the sea.   A wonderland for kids, take the second Southern turn-off, and you’ll pass a great variety of picnic and camping spots dotted along the river.  Continue to the end of this trail, and you’ll come to a picnic area beyond with a magical grove of stringybark trees to play amongst and gently sloping riverbanks, perfect for paddling, feeding the fish or kayaking.

Make your way down onto the Antechamber Bay beach, where you can walk on white sand for miles.  Stunning views back to mainland Australia make this a tempting spot to stop for a play or an afternoon nap.  Explore more here.  

Step back in time at Cape Willoughby Lighthouse  

At the most easterly point of the island, Cape Willoughby Lighthouse has stood guard over this part of the Kangaroo Island coastline since 1852.  A guided tour offers the chance to walk in the shoes of the lighthouse keepers and their families who worked 24 hours a day to assist the safe journey of ships passing through the treacherous stretch of water known as Backstairs Passage. Explore here.  

Hint:  While you’re here, stop and explore Windmill Bay's stunning granite boulders and surf.

Stop for a sip at False Cape Wines

After leaving Cape Willoughby, head west along Willson River Road & stop in for a wine & a platter at False Cape Wines.  Their grapes are grown locally onsite & wine is made by the Follets of Lake Breeze Wines in Langhorne Creek.  With a lovely outlook & plenty to keep the kids happy, it's well worth a stop.  www.falsecapewines.com.au

Watch the sun sink into the sea at Brown Beach 

Head back along Cape Willoughby Road and turn left onto Willson River Road until you come to East-West Road. Within 10 minutes, you’ll roll down the hill towards the coastline, landing at Brown Beach campground. This is a stunning place to pop open a bottle of wine you’ve collected during the day for a sundowner while the kids play or swim in the safe waters. Explore more. 

If you’re equipped, take advantage of the excellent BBQ facilities here and stay for a casual dinner, head to American River to the Reflections Restaurant at the Mercure Hotel (see below) or otherwise complete your day's loop with a short drive back into Penneshaw for dinner at the Penneshaw Hotel (known as ‘The Penny’ by the locals).

Our favourite Dudley Peninsula dining options:

Sunset Food & Wine: Kangaroo Island foodies are doing a happy dance that Jack Ingram & Vanessa Chu are reopening the east end’s icon restaurant for the summer season. A modern bistro focusing on local produce, Sunset Food & Wine combines stunning views overlooking American Beach, a killer wine list & elegant dishes that are a work of art. Opening season - October to April (closed May to September).  Bookings: www.sunsetfoodandwine.com

Mooncake:  A new venture for Kangaroo Island Source's Kate Sumner and a favourite of Dudley Peninsula locals, Mooncake goes off on weekends when it offers cocktails and modern Asian cuisine on the deck with stunning views over the township of Penneshaw and Backstairs Passage to the mainland.  Bookings: www.mooncakekangarooisland.com.au

Stay

Two of our favourite places to stay on the eastern end of Kangaroo Island are:  American River, Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge www.kilodge.com.au or Cape Willoughby, Sea Dragon Lodge:  www.seadragonlodge.com.au

We’ve even created a Google map for our
Explore the East End itinerary, click here you’re good to go! 

Don’t want to drive?

Let a local do the driving. A range of local guides now offer unique cellar door trail experiences. Two of our favourites are Exceptional Kangaroo Island (www.exceptionalkangarooisland.com) and Kangaroo Island Hire A Guide (www.kiguide.com.au).

Our favourite things to see & do on Kangaroo Island in winter

It’s a secret mostly only known by Island locals, Kangaroo Island is at its most beautiful in Winter. 

Spectacular windswept coastline, deserted beaches washed clean by the sea, stunning green fields full of winter lambs and wildlife in abundance.  And the best part?  You can join the locals in feeling like you have Kangaroo Island almost to yourself.

Winter is a stunning time to visit Kangaroo Island.  The Islander Estate Vineyards team are sharing our favourite things to see and do on Kangaroo Island during these stunning cool months.

Meander the Cygnet River Artisan Trail

Where else could we start but with the opportunity to spend time with our fantastic array of local artisan producers?

Our cellar doors and farm gates are more relaxed in winter.  Producers are always happy to see you and they have plenty of time to stop for a chat to share their stories - and to learn yours.

Central to the Island, the Cygnet River Artisan Trail offers two cellar doors (The Islander Estate Vineyards and our neighbours Springs Road Wines) and Australia’s most awarded gin at Kangaroo Island Spirits.

If you enjoy a brew as much as wine, then Kangaroo Island Brewery is a fantastic spot a little further afield on the way to Emu Bay.  Stop for a paddle of their fantastic hand-built beers and a platter by the fire (check their Facebook page for opening days).  A little along the road Emu Bay Lavender are super popular for their lavender products and their café fare – their lavender scones are legendary and their curries and burgers are favourites for lunch. 

Back a little towards Kingscote, the wine tasting trail continues at Bay of Shoals wines just five minutes outside of Kingscote.  You can’t visit Kangaroo Island without experiencing our famous Ligurian honey – both Island Beehive and Cliffords Honey Farm are worth a stop.

Head east, stop in at The Oyster Farm Shop in American River – oysters are at their prime in winter.  Then continue the tasting trail at Dudley Wines for wines with a view and great pizza.  In Penneshaw, The Penny hotel is a great spot for a meal by the fire.

A bird watcher's paradise

Kangaroo Island has over 260 bird species and they abound in winter in many sheltered spots.

Just minutes from The Islander Estate Tasting Room, Duck Lagoon fills with winter rains and attracts a huge array of birdlife (you might see more than one Koala sharing the trees with the birds).  Stop in for a visit at our Tasting Room, grab a bottle of wine, cheeses and French charcuterie then spend a peaceful hour or two picnicking and bird watching. If you're with the family, the kids will have a ball koala spotting here.

Stormy southerlies from the Southern Ocean often bring in albatross and other pelagic species – Cape du Couedic is a favourite location for local birders. Endangered Glossy Black-cockatoo are nesting at this time of year and feeding near Penneshaw, American River and Stokes Bay, as are Yellow-tailed Cockatoos. Cape Barren Geese are also seen in abundance with their young during winter. Be sure to view nesting areas from afar to avoid disturbing nesting pairs.

In the quiet of winter evenings (the stars on Kangaroo Island are definitely worth an evening venture), you may hear Cuckoos calling – hearing their distinctive “mo-poke... mo-poke” call is something special.

Stormy beach walks

Nothing is as refreshing as a beach walk during a winter storm to restore the soul – and of course to give you a good excuse to recover with an afternoon curled up with a wine by the fire.

For spectacular rolling surf, visit the south coast beaches like D’Estrees Bay, Vivonne Bay and Hanson Bay.  Kangaroo Island's north coast offers more protected beach walks, washed clean by the rain.  Our favourites include Western River Cove, Snellings Beach and Stokes Bay 

On the east of the Island, Antechamber Bay is truly spectacular and you can follow up a beach walk with a sheltered picnic by the nearby Chapman River.

Green fields full of new life

Nothing represents the renewal that winter brings to our region like vibrant green fields full of bounding baby lambs, bright white with their new wool. They represent the promise of future prosperity for our region’s farmers and they simply make you smile.  It's worth keeping an eye out in paddocks all over the Island and stopping the car to watch their antics.

At this time of year, Echidnas begin breeding, if you see an Echidna train it’s a very lucky day indeed so keep an eye out on roadside verges and wherever you are hiking.  And baby joeys have begun venturing from their mother’s pouch to feed all over the Island, but often visible at Pelican Lagoon.

Hauling in a bounty 

Kangaroo Islanders often say the best meal you can have is fish, freshly caught yourself, cooked and shared with friends (with a fantastic local wine of course). 

The weather may be a little wilder, but the fishing can be at its best during winter, especially in the calm that follows a storm, when the fish often bite the hardest.  Whether you are fishing from a beach, a jetty or a boat, bringing home your bag limit of our famous King George Whiting is a satisfying way to spend a day.  They are at their plump best in winter and extra active as they breed.

Salmon Trout can be caught from beaches like Hanson Bay (our tip, cooked super fresh in a beer batter perfect with Pinot Gris) and squid from jetties.  If you have a boat, Nannygai is great for catching and eating.

Do make sure you’re familiar with Kangaroo Island’s protected by Marine Parks and Marine Park Sanctuary Zones and bag and size limits before you head out fishing.  Get all the essential info from Tourism Kangaroo Island's KI Fishing Guide. Or for a guaranteed catch, hook up with one of Kangaroo Island’s fishing charters and let the experts find the fish.

And if you can't catch them yourself, stock up in American River at The Oyster Farm Shop or KI Fresh Seafoods in Kingscote for the freshest local fish.

Watching monsters leap from the sea

There are over 80 whale species in the world, 29 of these species visit our South Australian waters each year.

The Southern Right Whale, one of the largest, weighs up to 80 tons and grows to 18 metres in length. They are the most frequent whale visitors to Kangaroo Island waters and often travel past between May and September before they return to Antarctic waters in October. Look for them close inshore right around the coast. Mothers may rest with the young in more sheltered bays.

Blue Whales and Humpback Whales also visit, and Killer Whales (Orcas) sometimes drop by for a seal meal.

Hunting for native orchids

With such amazing vistas and coastlines, it can be easy to focus on the wider landscape when taking a winter hike on Kangaroo Island.

But for a mindfulness exercise that will have you reconnecting with the details, there is no better activity than a hunt for our native orchids. With over 80 native species, a hunt for these tiny but spectacular flowers really makes you slow to a meander and absorb the beauty to be found on a micro-level.

Whether it’s these tiny flowers, lichen and fungi, flowering native ground shrubs or the spectacular Wattle it’s worth slowing down and meandering.

One of our favourite spots is American River’s Cannery Walk.  Find out more here

Slow cooking over a bonfire

Gather your mates, light a fire, have a few wines while you wait for the coals to burn low, and then nestle a camp oven on the coals.  It takes a while to cook but there's nothing better than passing the time with good conversation, plenty of red wine and a jam if you have a guitar on hand.

Spending an afternoon this way is iconically Kangaroo Island.  And there’s nothing better than slow-cooked local lamb, vegetables and red wine simmered for hours.

So what are you waiting for?  Start planning your cool-season trip to Kangaroo Island.  We'll see you soon!

Tourism Kangaroo Island

South Australian Tourism Commission

Secret Autumn Sunset Spots on Kangaroo Island

When summer’s warm weather passes & Anzac Day is over, visitor numbers to Kangaroo Island traditionally slow.

But ‘Islanders’ know the cooler months are some of the most stunning on Kangaroo Island.  Warm days, crisp nights, and rains transform dry paddocks into vibrant green almost before your eyes. 

And our favourite part?  The light in the late afternoon & at sunset is magic.  Autumn sunsets are our favourite.  We asked our team to share their favourite spots to end the day with a glass of wine.
 

---

Yale, Managing Director, Winemaker, Wrangler of Staff

Favourite Sunset Spot?  West Bay Beach, Flinders Chase National Park

“I love watching the sun sink behind the horizon into the southern ocean at West Bay. Sitting on the beach with a glass of wine, feeling like you’re at the end of the earth.  Such a secluded spot but still totally accessible to anyone willing to make the drive.”

Favourite Sunset Wine?  Wally White Semillon
“Our white wine for red wine drinkers.  With enough  creaminess & texture to go with some rich Australian salmon caught fresh from the beach & cooked in a pan with a little wine over a beach fire”

Image courtesy of Lauren Garret on Instagram

---

Sophie, Cellar Door Manager extraordinaire

Favourite Sunset Spot? Flagstaff Hill Lookout, Reeves Point.  “Just a few minutes from my home in Kingscote, Flagstaff Hill is a stunning elevated spot for an evening after-work walk to watch the sunset over the Bay of Shoals.  With elevated views for almost 360 degrees, there’s no better place to let go of the day.” 

Favourite Sunset Wine?  Varietal Range Semillon Sauvignon Blanc. “A limited release wine, this is my new favourite for when you want something a little more textural & sophisticated in the white wine spectrum.  I’ve visited Jacques in Bordeaux & this reminds me so much of the Bordeaux Blanc blends that I tried there.”
Image courtesy of Ross Evans Photography on Instagram

---

Carmen, Cellar Door host with most

Favourite Sunset Spot?  Pennington Bay.  “Most people visit Pennington Bay in the height of summer to swim & surf.  It is absolutely stunning in the cooler months just after a storm when it’s almost deserted & the sunset views are ours alone, it totally refreshes the mind & spirit.”

Favourite Sunset Wine?  Boxing Bay Shiraz/Cab Sauv.  "I love that this is a European take on a classic Aussie blend. A glass watching the sunset is perfect to ward the chill off & the rest goes down perfectly by the fire when we get home".

Image courtesy of Grant Coutts on Instagram

---

Sue, Cellar Door Hand, Luxury Accommodation Specialist, Farmer

Favourite Sunset Spot? One Kangaroo Island, Brown Beach
“There is no more luxurious experience on Kangaroo Island than sitting in a warm outdoor bubble bath on a crisp evening, in total privacy, overlooking Brown Beach & the sunset to the west.  Unforgettable”

Favourite Sunset Wine?  Petiyante
What else is there to drink in an outdoor bath at sunset than a delicious glass of Methode Champenoise sparkling?

Image courtesy of One Kangaroo Island on Instagram

---

Tracey,  Wrangler of all things financial

 Favourite Sunset Spot?  Cygnet River
“In the late afternoon just as dusk descends, the light through the trees surrounding the Cygnet River is something else.  And it only happens during the cooler months.  It makes you look up from your computer at our Tasting Room, step outside & take a deep breath.”

Favourite Sunset Wine?  Tracey’s been drinking Bark Hut Road, Shiraz/Cabernet Franc, our signature blend for 15 years ago.  It brings together our French & Australian heritage in a bottle & it suits just about any cool evening dish.

Image courtesy of Cath Williams on Instagram

---

Cath, Marketing & Story Teller

Favourite Sunset Spot?   Baudin Beach
“My home, Baudin Beach.  We live in a cottage snuggled behind a sand dune.  Just near our house is a path along the cliffs with a special chatting seat in honour of a much loved local.  After a long day on the social media tools, I can be there with a glass of wine, my partner, daughter & dog in just a couple of minutes.  We all take a deep breath & let go of the day.  Then back home out of the evening chill & into the warm cosiness of the fire.”

Favourite Sunset Wine?  “Old Rowley Shiraz/Grenache I am a grenache fan & absolutely love Old Rowley.  Elegant but robust, complex but drinkable.  Simply one of my go-to blends & I’m yet to find one I love more than the one we make at The Islander Estate Vineyards.”

Image courtesy of Cath Williams on Instagram

---

Plan your cool weather visit to Kangaroo Island now

Click to Visit The Islander Estate Vineyards
map of Favourite Autumn Sunset Spots

and
Visit the Tour Kangaroo Island Website

 

What's new on Kangaroo Island this Summer?

Heading back to Kangaroo Island for the Summer holidays? There are some fantastic new experiences to be had.  We're sharing our favourite new things to see, do, taste & sip.  

Whether it’s your first visit or Kangaroo Island is your second home, our Cellar Door Trail guides help you plan out a day that has something for the whole gang to enjoy - click here to explore & download our handy trail maps.

 

Guess Who’s Back for the Summer Season?

The Enchanted Fig Tree: Gastronomo is relaunching The Enchanted Fig Tree experience at stunning Snellings Beach on Kangaroo Island’s North Coast. One of South Australia’s most memorable dining experiences from the moment you arrive. You will be invited to venture through the leafy entrance of a majestic old fig tree before it opens up into a collection of natural ‘living’ rooms. Each space is decked out with stunning table settings ready for you to experience a magical feast of the senses. The season runs from 16 December 2021 until 4 April 2022. Bookings:  www.gastronomodining.com.au

Sunset Food & Wine: Kangaroo Island foodies are doing a happy dance that Jack Ingram & Vanessa Chu are reopening the east end’s icon restaurant for the summer season. A modern bistro focusing on local produce, Sunset Food & Wine combines stunning views overlooking American Beach, a killer wine list & elegant dishes that are a work of art. The season runs from 14 December until early April.  Bookings: www.sunsetfoodandwine.com

New in Town

Home Grown Pantry on the Cygnet River Gourmet Trail: Our neighbourhood in Cygnet River just got a little more delicious with Home Grown Pantry at Frogs & Roses garden centre. Whether you want a lunch stop between wine & spirit tastings, a picnic lunch to take to nearby Duck Lagoon or to stock up on holiday provisions, it’s all delicious & homemade. Opening days & hours do vary, so check out their Facebook page before your stop in: www.homegrownpantryki.com.au.

The Shy Wren, Penneshaw: The team at The Shy Wren are kicking off 2022 in style with their NYE opening. This wine bar /kitchen /providore will be a great addition to the east end. Keep an eye on their socials for more info on opening days & offerings: www.facebook.com/theshywren.

The Odd Plate, Kingscote: Quickly becoming the favourite dinner haunt in Kingscote. Located in a charming heritage guesthouse built-in 1927, overlooking the beautiful Napean Bay in Kingscote, offering a shared plate concept with a menu receiving rave reviews.  Bookings:  www.theoddplate.com.au

New Ways to Experience Kangaroo Island

Cellar Door Touring: Let a local do the driving; there’s a range of local guides now offering unique cellar door trail experiences. One of our favourites is hosted by our team’s own Luca Lovison at Kangaroo Island Hire A Guide: https://kiguide.rezdy.com/415123/gourmet-food-wine-tour

Gin, Wine & Wildlife E-Bike Tour: Exceptional Kangaroo Island are constantly innovating new ways to connect visitors with Kangaroo Island. Their Gin, Wine & Wildlife E-Bike tour is a one-of-a-kind & a new discovery for even regular visitors: www. kangarooislandebikes.com

Walk this way: Also from the team Exceptional Kangaroo Island, Walk Kangaroo Island consists of 11 diverse independent walks, exploring a range of island landscapes and habitats, each with its own unique story. If slowing down & reconnecting with nature is your aim, this is the experience for you: www.walkkangarooisland.com
 

Coming Soon:

Kangaroo Island Wool at Cygnet River: We are so excited to be welcoming Kangaroo Island Wool to the Cygnet River trail in early 2022. They have been championing local wool for many years. Their new venture will bring visitors to KI in touch with our agricultural heritage with wool garments handcrafted on-island from the sheep to the lucky wearer. Keep an eye out for announcements on their opening date: www.facebook.com/KangarooIslandWool

 

Kangaroo Island's Best Experiences: Explore the Cygnet River Cellar Door Trail

If you're looking for the best way to spend a day discovering Kangaroo Island's local artisan producers, come & meet our neighbours on the Cygnet River Cellar Door Trail.

We chose to locate The Islander Estate Tasting Room in Cygnet River to join the community of passionate artisan producers & we've never looked back.  So come & meet the neighbours!

The Cygnet River Cellar Door trail is in a convenient, easy-to-reach location, just a few minutes from Kingscote & Kangaroo Island airport, right on the south-coast touring route.  It's a compact trail ideal for a half-day or leisurely full-day discovery.

You'll experience two distinct styles of wine, award-winning spirits, hand-crafted local wool products and delicious food – all handcrafted with a shared philosophy and authentically Kangaroo Island.

The Islander Estate Vineyards

Visit The Islander Estate Vineyard's intimate cellar door & let our team take you on a personalised wine discovery.

Our hosted tasting experiences explore our handcrafted French-style wines by Bordeaux-raised Jacques Lurton, who fell in love with Kangaroo Island over 20 years ago. He established his own estate-style vineyard and has been hand-crafting premium wines here ever since.  The Islander Estate Vineyards is Kangaroo Island's only 5-Star Rated Winery by the Halliday Wine Companion.

After your tasting, select your favourite wine then build a cheese & charcuterie platter from our produce store to enjoy on the deck or lawn.

We offer a range of premium wine & food experiences.  Book ahead & save.  Or immerse yourself in a private tasting experience.  Explore our range of hosted wine experiences here.

Kangaroo Island Spirits

A visit to the Kangaroo Island Spirits distillery is a must for any spirit lover.  Kangaroo Island Spirits embrace native ingredients & use traditional processes to make spirits in their purest form, which have so much more to them. Their cellar door offers tastings, paddles & seasonal cocktails to enjoy in the botanical Gin Garden.  Their food van serves just the kind of tasty treats you want with cocktails.  Regular cocktail & blending classes are a great immersive experience.  Discover KIS & book your experience:  kispirits.com.au

Springs Road Wines

We were so excited when Spring Road Wines joined us in the Cygnet River neighbourhood.  Kangaroo Island has a diverse range of wine styles, with something for everyone, so add a stop at Springs Road Wines to taste and enjoy the view at their Cygnet River cellar door.  Springs Road Wines is owned by Joch Bosworth and Louise Hemsley-Smith, who also own the organic wine label Battle of Bosworth in McLaren Vale. They bought the Springs Road vineyard in 2016, recognising that the property was capable of producing beautiful organically grown wines. Have a tasting, then relax on the deck with a bottle & a delicious platter of artisan cheese & pates. Discover Springs Road Wines now:  springsroad.com.au

Kangaroo Island Wool

The newest resident in the neighbourhood is Kangaroo Island Wool.  Their custom-built facility is dedicated to the production of slow fashion.  They take raw wool from local Kangaroo Island farmers and transform it into a range of stunning high-quality fashion garments that will last a lifetime.  Their new facility offers educational tours to see the entire process in action and a store stocked with garments produced onsite.  Perfect mementos or gifts.  www.kangarooislandwool.com

If you have the time, wander a little further afield:

If you have a little more time, there is so much more to see and do, all within 10 minutes of Cygnet River:

Kangaroo Island Brewery

Kangaroo Island Brewery is the place to stop for hand-built beers in a fantastic ‘brewery door’ on the way to Emu Bay.  Stop in for one of their famous beer paddles to try a range of brews, or pick your favourite to enjoy overlooking the field.  It’s one of our favourite watering holes.  Check them out:  kibeers.com.au

Emu Bay Lavender

Closer to Emu Bay, the Lavender farm is one of our favourites for breakfast or lunch and a great spot to pick up gifts for friends and family back home.  We highly recommend their amazing scones and lavender jelly for afternoon tea - the perfect refuel after a swim.  Explore more:  emubaylavenderfarm.com

Emu Bay Beach  

Kangaroo Island is spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches, but they don’t come much longer, whiter & more beautiful than Emu Bay Beach.  A huge favourite with locals over summer for its stunning sands and safe swimming waters. It's a stunning spot to start or finish your explorations.

The Mini De Lights van at the Emu Bay boat ramp serves up cocktails, wine & delicious snacks in season - a truly unique Kangaroo Island experience.  Check their facebook page for opening days & times: www.facebook.com/minidelightski

Our top 10 post-corona wine connections moments

10 ways our team will be reconnecting 
over a few wines post "the rona"

If you're like us at The Islander Estate Vineyards, you're passing isolation-time dreaming of all the things you'll do as soon as we're free to move around as we used to. 

And won't we all just appreciate the simple things so much more?  This is our team's list of way's we'll be re-connecting with the people and the place we love.
 

1.  At our heart centre

We had to start here.  It's our passion to connect with visitors to our share stories,
our passions & a good chat over a glass of wine.  

So many wine lovers from all over the world come to spend their precious holiday time with us learning a little about why Kangaroo Island is the world's undiscovered wine treasure.
We miss that connection dearly & can't wait to crack open our best wines for tasting and throw open the door to our Tasting Room.  Next time you visit, treat yourself to a Flagship wine tasting.

2.  Simple pleasures with family and friends

Is there anything better than the simple pleasures Kangaroo Island offers
like beach fishing while the sun sets? 

Finishing a day on KI with fresh fish you've caught yourself is unbeatable. We love doing it with the people we love & a great glass of wine by our side (we recommend our Pinot Gris with local fish). 

Our favourite spots for an evening fish?  We'll it's hard to beat Snellings Beach on our stunning north coast, Brown Beach on the Dudley Peninsula (if you're lucky for a few flathead) or Emu Bay for a family favourite (park the car up  on the beach, open the boot so you have somewhere to rest your wine & cheese platter).
 

3.  Campfire Catch-ups

If you live on Kangaroo Island, or you love visiting,
it's pretty much assured you love camping. 

With the cooler seasons coming on, we'll be packing up & heading out with friends with a bottle (or 10) of red and plenty of firewood to get us through the night - in our book the Majestic Plough Malbec is perfect for sharing with friends on cool nights. 
Our top Kangaroo Island camping spots?  Antechamber Bay campground where you can camp right next to the river & have a stunning beach just a few minutes away.  Stokes Bay Campground with the fantastic Rockpool Cafe right next door & one of the best beaches on the Island.  Vivonne Bay on the south coast to watch the surf roll in.

4.  Over a meal at our amazing local restaurants

Dinner with friends - oh how we can't wait

With a selection of Kangaroo Island restaurants each showcasing local cuisine in their own unique way & we can't wait to get out & enjoy it with friends again.
Whether its refined cuisine & spectacular views at Sunset Food & Wine, rustic seafood at Rockpool Cafe, high end pub food at the Ozone Hotel, Italian fare at the intimate Bella Cafe or contemporary cuisine in peaceful surrounds at Reflections Restaurant in American River, just to name of few options.

5.  Connecting to nature in our interior

Kangaroo Island has spectacular beaches & coastline,
but the interior comes to life in the cooler months. 

We love heading inland for a walk amongst nature - finished off with a picnic & wine of course!  There are so many spectacular inland hikes across the whole Island, many remain open after January's bushfires & the regeneration of bushland will be spectacular as winter progresses.
Or book a weekend away at one of the Island's many nature-based accommodation like our wonderful friends at Ecopia Retreat, where nature is right on your doorstep.

6.  Cool season weekends away with friends

If you're a Kangaroo Island local, then you know
the cooler seasons are the best time on Kangaroo Island.

Fires lit all season, stormy walks on the beach, flora & fauna at their peak (& the best season for fishing).  Plus, in these quieter seasons it feels almost like the Island is just yours.  We'll be inviting friends to reconnect with a weekend (or week) on the Island. 
If we're lucky we'll do it at spectacular accommodation like Hamilton & Dune - what a stunning place for long chats, board games & wine by the fire.  Pop some local lamb in the slow cooker to simmer all day & pair it with the Old Rowley for a simple but spectacular shared meal.

7.  Friday night sunset beach catchups

Friday night post-work wine on the beach - it's a Kangaroo Island ritual

Kids running wild in the surf, mates downloading news of the week.  For Islander's it beats rush hour traffic & crowded bars hands-down. 
Our absolute favourite for beach sundowners is The Rose but when even we can't get it, we turn to our other bestie SoFar SoGood Sauvignon Blanc all those tropical fruit notes suit the setting so well. Popular spots include Hog Bay Penneshaw, Island Beach and Emu Bay.

8.  Sharing home cooked feasts

Who else is brushing up on their cooking skills during home isolation? 
We can't wait to share all the new dishes we've learned with mates & family.

While we're all home cooking right now with our isolation-buddies, there's nothing like spending the whole day preparing a feast for extended family & friends. 
It's an act of love that deserves some cracking wines to while away the afternoon (Bark Hut Road hits the spot & pairs with so many dishes).  How spectacular is the spot at Lifetime Retreat's The Cliff House?  

9.  Family picnics

The simple act of sunshine, a picnic rug, friends or family & the shade of a tree

Don't we miss the simple things?  For us picnics need be no further than the lawns of our Tasting Room.
But we also love putting together a picnic of French charcuterie from Les Deux Coq, Alexandrina Fleurieu Peninsula cheeses, local produce & wine for guests (SoFar SoGood Shiraz is our favourite picnic red), then sending them to our team's favourite picnic spots.   Just a few minutes away from the Tasting Room in Cygnet River, Duck Lagoon is a great place to start. 

10. Getting the team back together

What are we most excited about?  Getting back to the business of wine.

Between January's bushfires & the current Coronavirus we're most excited about the prospect of having the full team back together at The Islander Estate Vineyards.
Later in the year we hope to begin welcoming guests back for private barrel room tastings & to see the vineyard rejuvenation.  It's a prospect that drives us forward in our mission to make the region's best wines.

We thank you for support during this difficult time,
we appreciate every order we receive online &
we can't wait to connect over a wine very soon.

15 Things to do on Kangaroo Island

Travel journalist Irene Issacon travelled to Kangaroo Island for Travel2Next and shares her 15 must-do things to include in your itinerary to Kangaroo Island.  Thanks for the recommendation Irene!

Read her article on Travel2Next here