Where to eat and stay on Kangaroo Island
From authentic food and wine to inspiring natural beauty and wildlife, Kangaroo Island has it all. Whether you’re after a relaxing escape or down-to-earth adventure, this guide will help you navigate Australia’s third largest island.
5 places to eat
Tirage
Tirage is the exciting new Kingscote wine bar and restaurant of acclaimed Kangaroo Island chef Jack Ingram, who also operates the much-loved seasonal restaurant Sunset Food and Wine at American Beach. Open from 3pm until late, Tirage offers a more casual dining style, with an a la carte menu featuring the same focus on premium local produce. Think fresh pasta, homemade meat pies, snook pate and charcuterie. Meanwhile, Sunset continues to showcase Jack’s world-class experience, with spectacular views to match, and is open seasonally from early December until the end of April. Saturday nights are degustation menu only.
The Fig Tree KI
Inviting visitors to dine beneath its verdant canopy, The Fig Tree KI is one of the state’s most distinctive dining experiences with seasonal dishes served against the stunning backdrop of Snelling Beach. This season, open Sundays for the first time, the restaurant will launch a lunch series that shines a spotlight on the island’s farmers, fishers, and winemakers, with a Mediterranean-inspired menu built around fresh and foraged regional produce. Chef-owner John Stamatakis is also launching La Barraca – an intimate dinner series set in a rustic shearing shed located alongside the iconic tree.
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Cactus Kangaroo Island
Founded by Yen Aun Leow and Louis Lark, best mates from their days working together at Southern Ocean Lodge, Cactus Kangaroo Island offers good vibes, great coffee, and fresh local flavours in the heart of Kingscote. There’s a bumper lunch menu plus daily specials, fresh grab-and-go salads, house-made cakes and tempting sweets, all made with a focus on local, in-season produce. There’s also fresh-pressed juices and local beer and wine. Cactus is open every day from 7.30am to 2.30pm.
Samphire Restaurant
With views across the tranquil waters of American River, Samphire Restaurant provides an idyllic setting for enjoying the island’s finest seafood and local produce. The restaurant exclusively serves a tasting menu, showcasing the best of local seafood and meats, with a focus on cooking over woodfire and charcoal. A curated local wine list completes the immersive dining experience. Dinner service is available from Wednesday to Saturday, with a menu that changes regularly, reflecting the availability of fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Millie Mae’s Pantry
Penneshaw’s much-loved Millie Mae’s Pantry is a favourite of locals and tourists alike, with fresh and delicious breakfast and lunch menus, coffee, and local beer and wine. Millie Mae’s proudly sources ingredients from local farms and producers wherever possible, and also offers a range of artisan KI products. Cakes, slices and various dishes are made in-house using fruits, berries, vegetables and herbs grown on the grounds. “This connection allows us to appreciate the true value of our food and share it in a way that feels authentic and meaningful,” says co-owner Kate Meredith.
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5 places to stay
CABN Kangaroo Island
Wake up to the sounds of native birds and the gentle wash of waves crashing on the shoreline at CABN Kangaroo Island. Nestled on 160 hectares of secluded land, but just a 25-minute drive from Penneshaw, CABN promises a journey of immersion, eco-consciousness and connection to untamed beauty, all in off-grid luxury accommodation. Here, each of the luxurious eco-cabins is positioned for privacy, with expansive ocean views overlooking Antechamber Bay. Sink into a king-sized bed, enjoy the private sauna and outdoor bath, and even make use of the pizza oven. Explore the historic lighthouse and stroll the private beach at sunset.
Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island
Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island is a boutique luxury lodge set on 250 acres of stunning coastal wilderness, making it the perfect base to stay and explore. With a secluded beach and sweeping ocean views from each room, Sea Dragon offers rugged beauty, tranquillity and native wildlife at your doorstep, all just 30 minutes from the ferry terminal. Your stay includes premium continental breakfast and a two-course dinner daily. Accommodation options are deluxe and premium rooms, spacious suites and the larger ocean view villa, which has the added luxury of an outdoor bathtub.
Seafront Holiday Park
Perfect for a romantic getaway or a family adventure, glamping at Seafront Holiday Park combines the best of luxury and nature, while being conveniently located near the SeaLink ferry terminal. Glamping options including the spacious Eco Luxury tent, which is perfect for couples and features plush bedding, an en suite, modern amenities, and a private deck for soaking up the fresh coastal air. There are also Family Eco Luxury Tents, which comfortably accommodate two adults and two children, with the same premium amenities.
Wander
Perched on the rugged coastline at Snelling Beach, Wander is an eco-luxury escape where nature takes centre stage. Each sustainably-crafted pod celebrates the landscape, sweeping ocean views and the sounds of native wildlife. Every detail, from locally-sourced furnishings to off-grid energy, ensures your stay treads lightly on this pristine environment. Spend your days exploring wild beaches, sampling island produce, or simply soaking in the stillness beneath endless skies. At Wander, it’s more than a getaway, it’s a rare chance to connect deeply with place, nature, and yourself.
Ozone Hotel
The historic Ozone Hotel has entered a new era with a refurbished restaurant and contemporary lounge bar that make the most of the hotel’s stunning location on Kingscote’s pristine foreshore. The new Parsons Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner menus featuring international cuisine, local seafood and a revamped wine list. Meanwhile, Winch Bar offers cocktails, small bites and sweeping views of Nepean Bay. Ozone Hotel has a variety of accommodation options including hotel rooms and self-contained one and two-bedroom apartments.
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