Ferry to Kangaroo Island – Travel Guide

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How To Get To Kangaroo Island On The KI Ferry

How to get to Kangaroo Island? 🦘🏝️ This pristine destination is just 16km across the ocean from mainland South Australia. Kangaroo Island is unsurprisingly home to many kangaroos and other Australian animals such as sea lions, wallabies, fairy penguins & koalas. Also a destination for food lovers & adventure enthusiasts, there are a range of activities for people to enjoy on Kangaroo Island. The first step is getting there. Here is all the info you need to get the ferry to Kangaroo Island

Book Your Ferry

Ferry to Kangaroo Island - Sealink

Ferry to Kangaroo Island with Sealink

The SeaLink ferry runs between Cape Jervis, 2 hours south of Adelaide & the town of Penneshaw on the island. ⁠The best part about travelling with Sealink is you can take a vehicle. Getting around on KI is best with your own transport and allows access to some secluded camping spots & accommodations where your only neighbours will be the kangaroos & wallabies! ⁠

The crossing takes just 45 mins and with up to 10 ferry crossings running each way per day there is sure to be a time to suit you. I recommend booking your time slot well in advance as they do fill up quickly. ⁠

Kangaroo Island Ferry Cost

When taking the ferry to Kangaroo Island you need to book per passenger and for your vehicle. A return trip for an adult is $118 when booking directly with Sealink. To take a vehicle less than 5 metres in length on the ferry the fare is $118 one way or $236 return or full pricing check out this SeaLink ferry fares.

Local tip: If you have more than one passenger it is cheaper to book additional passengers separately with Bookway (approx $105 vs $118 return).

Kangaroo Island Connect

The second option for catching the ferry to Kangaroo Island was the Kangaroo Island Connect but this service is no longer operational. Kangaroo Island Connect closed from 29 September 2023.

How to get to Cape Jervis?

If you are taking your own vehicle, Cape Jervis is a 1 1/2 hour drive from the Adelaide CBD. You want to arrive at least 1/2 hour before your ferry departure time to leave plenty of extra time for the journey.

Sealink previously operated a coach service between Adelaide & Cape Jervis but it is no longer running. There is now a bus service by Links SA with limited services running. See the timetable here.

This is the update from Sealink:
Daily Public Coach Service – Adelaide to Cape Jervis
The Kangaroo Island Public Coach service, previously operated by SeaLink between Adelaide and Cape Jervis, has undergone a change in provider. The Department for Infrastructure and Transport has contracted LinkSA to deliver this service from 1 October 2023. Please visit the LinkSA website to access the timetable and fare information or call 08 8555 2500 for assistance.

On-Island Shuttle Bus Service
The Kangaroo Island Shuttle Service, previously operated by SeaLink between Penneshaw and Kingscote, has undergone a change in provider. The Department for Infrastructure and Transport has contracted Peninsula Coaches to deliver this service from 1 October 2023. For those who have existing travel bookings after 1 October 2023, SeaLink is working closely with Peninsula Coaches to ensure a smooth transition and all existing reservations will be valid. To access the schedule and make bookings for travel post 1 October 2023, please call 08 8821 2755 or visit their website www.peninsulacoaches.com.au for assistance.

Do I need a car on Kangaroo Island?

Yes, I highly recommend taking your own vehicle to Kangaroo Island. The other option is to join a tour like the Full Day Experience by Ferry Including Lunch tour which will take you to the highlights of the island but there is nothing like going at your own pace in your own car. There are so many hidden gems all over Kangaroo Island that you won’t see on the tours.

Enjoy your adventure to Kangaroo Island

Thank you for reading! If you have any questions please get in touch and I can do my best to help.

To help you plan your trip read our guide on The Best Things To Do On Kangaroo Island.