How do I get to Kangaroo Island?
IF I DON'T HAVE A CAR
There are several options - if you do have a car, you can do a self drive holiday, which means driving down to Cape Jervis to catch the ferry, or hiring a car on arrival. This option would require a pick up in Penneshaw after you arrive by ferry, or a pick up from the airport if you fly in from Adelaide.
If you do not have a car you can come by coach from Adelaide ... and this is where it gets interesting and this is why this page has been created.
How to get to Kangaroo Island
if you do not have a car.
Getting to Cape Jervis
The ferry to the Island departs from a coastal town called Cape Jervis. It is at least 2 hours from Adelaide, depending on departure point and time of day. And if there are roadworks.
The ferry arrives in
a town called Penneshaw.
There are two service providers:
If you are travelling from
Adelaide in the morning ...
Phone Adelaide Sightseeing to
book and pay for your passage on
1300 769 762.
If you are travelling from
Adelaide in the
afternoon/evening ...
Look up the LinkSA bus timetable here to find out which stop and at what time.
You can either pre-book or arrive at the designated stop at least 15 minutes in advance and hail the bus & pay as you board.
Getting to Penneshaw
There is only one company offering a ferry service to Kangaroo Island, which is Sealink.
Click here to to go their website and book the ferry from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw and return.
The important thing to
remember is to ensure that your transport to or from Adelaide,
or to or from Penneshaw lines up with the ferry that you choose.
Getting to Kingscote or American River
This service is provided by Yorke Peninsula Coachlines. You can book this online - the link is here.
Things to be mindful of:
- choose the correct date
- choose the correct time (morning or evening)
- select the right pick up place (Penneshaw Ferry Terminal)
- check the list for your accommodation (type in the first letter and it will jump to or near that option).
When you arrive in Penneshaw, make your way off of the ferry and out of the terminal. If you have put luggage on the Sealink Luggage Van, remember to collect this before making your way to the
YP Coachlines Shuttle Bus.
Getting back to Adelaide
The ferry to the mainland arrives into the coastal town of Cape Jervis, from Penneshaw, which is at least 2 hours from Adelaide, depending on the time of day, and if there are any roadworks.
There are two service providers:
If you are travelling
to Adelaide in the evening ...
Phone Adelaide Sightseeing to
book and pay for your passage on
1300 769 762.
If you are travelling
to Adelaide in the morning ...
Look up the LinkSA bus timetable here to find out the drop off time for your destination.
Either service will be in the carpark outside of the Cape Jervis ferry terminal, waiting for you to board. If you have any luggage on the Sealink Luggage Van, remember to collect this first.