Food scene
An easy 200 metre walk and enjoy a yummy brunch/lunch and soak up the river atmosphere. Kitchen closes at 2.30pm.
11 locals recommend
The Deck cafe on the wharf
LOT 103 Tangara DrAn easy 200 metre walk and enjoy a yummy brunch/lunch and soak up the river atmosphere. Kitchen closes at 2.30pm.
A community club with a select menu for dinner on Friday night. They have burgers for takeaway on Saturday night. Check out their Facebook page for their menu and make a booking. It is an easy 2 minutes walk from Woolywoods.
The Shed
Tangara DriveA community club with a select menu for dinner on Friday night. They have burgers for takeaway on Saturday night. Check out their Facebook page for their menu and make a booking. It is an easy 2 minutes walk from Woolywoods.
A very popular tourist destination and an easy walk at the end of our street.
19 locals recommend
The Oyster Farm Shop, Kangaroo Island Shellfish
44 Tangara DrA very popular tourist destination and an easy walk at the end of our street.
Yummy dinners with stone plate steaks. An easy walk from home, about 1km. Lovely views of American River.
7 locals recommend
Wanderers Rest of Kangaroo Island
65 Bayview RdYummy dinners with stone plate steaks. An easy walk from home, about 1km. Lovely views of American River.
Only open for dinner on Thursday and Saturday nights. It is only 5 min drive from home. A big shed, with live music, family friendly and yummy Thai food. Check their Facebook page for details and to make a booking.
11 locals recommend
KI Tru Thai
148 Old Salt Lake RdOnly open for dinner on Thursday and Saturday nights. It is only 5 min drive from home. A big shed, with live music, family friendly and yummy Thai food. Check their Facebook page for details and to make a booking.
Cactus Kangaroo Island
54 Dauncey StVibrant, modern and delicious food. Open 7.30am-2.30.
Famous for the whiting burger and a range of burgers, this is a popular tourist destination. Eat here or takeaway and drive to Vivonne Bay and enjoy while visiting the beach.
17 locals recommend
Vivonne Bay General Store
4417 S Coast RdFamous for the whiting burger and a range of burgers, this is a popular tourist destination. Eat here or takeaway and drive to Vivonne Bay and enjoy while visiting the beach.
Located in Penneshaw and If it’s dinner time when you are arriving or leaving, this is quick and great food. Wood fired pizzas, burgers and pastas. Family friendly and take away available too
Fire and Smoke Ki
43 North TerraceLocated in Penneshaw and If it’s dinner time when you are arriving or leaving, this is quick and great food. Wood fired pizzas, burgers and pastas. Family friendly and take away available too
Located in Kingscote, we enjoyed a memorable and yummy meal. Perfect family food, from schnitzels to pizza and ribs. Highly recommend the ribs, wings and onion rings and the mustard and cheese bread was delicious. Wonderful friendly atmosphere and lovely restaurant.
6 locals recommend
Cellarbrations - Queenscliffe Family Hotel
57 Dauncey StLocated in Kingscote, we enjoyed a memorable and yummy meal. Perfect family food, from schnitzels to pizza and ribs. Highly recommend the ribs, wings and onion rings and the mustard and cheese bread was delicious. Wonderful friendly atmosphere and lovely restaurant.
In Kingscote, across the road from the newly painted silo, this a must stop for a delicious baked potato or nachos… and save some room for the delicious rolled ice cream. So memorable and yummy! Highly recommend.
Island Rolled Icecream & Truffles
1 EsplanadeIn Kingscote, across the road from the newly painted silo, this a must stop for a delicious baked potato or nachos… and save some room for the delicious rolled ice cream. So memorable and yummy! Highly recommend.
10 kms from home, the farm gate will not disappoint with an incredible range of home made condiments. The mayonnaise is stunning, how about limoncello marmalade and amazing olives. We’ll worth a visit and please take cash as they don’t have card facilities.
Flavours of Petite Provence
12 Florance Road10 kms from home, the farm gate will not disappoint with an incredible range of home made condiments. The mayonnaise is stunning, how about limoncello marmalade and amazing olives. We’ll worth a visit and please take cash as they don’t have card facilities.
Yummy lunch meals of burgers and curries.. and make sure you keep some room in your tummy for their amazing lavender scones. Gorgeous tables in amongst the lavender.
40 locals recommend
Emu Bay Lavender
205 Emu Bay RdYummy lunch meals of burgers and curries.. and make sure you keep some room in your tummy for their amazing lavender scones. Gorgeous tables in amongst the lavender.
Fat Beagle Coffee Shop
2 Nat Thomas StCafe, casual dining and pet friendly.
Wine and Drinks
There are 5 winery’s, spirits, cider and a brewery to visit and sample.
A wonderful experience to sample their amazing and multi award winning gins and spirits. Lovely vibe to sit outside and there is some casual food options too.
34 locals recommend
Kangaroo Island Spirits
856 Playford HwyA wonderful experience to sample their amazing and multi award winning gins and spirits. Lovely vibe to sit outside and there is some casual food options too.
Take your fur babies here as they are welcome to sit outside on the lawns. Love their wines and sharing platters.
24 locals recommend
False Cape Wines
1054 Willson River RdTake your fur babies here as they are welcome to sit outside on the lawns. Love their wines and sharing platters.
Picture perfect and a lovely environment. Tasting flights, yummy food and you can hit some golf balls.
35 locals recommend
Dudley Wines
Picture perfect and a lovely environment. Tasting flights, yummy food and you can hit some golf balls.
Wonderful tasting environment and a range of local produce to enjoy.
6 locals recommend
Springs Road Wines
183 Springs RdWonderful tasting environment and a range of local produce to enjoy.
The Islander Estate Vineyards - Kangaroo Island Wines
78 Gum Creek RdSightseeing
Raptor Domain
3115 Seal Bay RdSeal Bay Conservation Park
Seal Bay RoadFlinders Chase National Park
S Coast RoadPennington Bay Carpark
Only 15 min drive from home. Beautiful waters and spectacular views.
Wonderful views across Pelican Lagoon and American River. This is the narrowest part of the Island where you will see the Southern and Northern Coastlines.
Prospect Hill
B23Wonderful views across Pelican Lagoon and American River. This is the narrowest part of the Island where you will see the Southern and Northern Coastlines.
A close drive, past Prospect Hill and as you head back to Penneshaw. Turn right at Davies/ Davis Rd and then right to Carthers Rd. You will see kangaroos on these hills and between the white rocks. Keep following the dirt track until the end for spectacular view of cliffs and the Southern Ocean.
Davies Road
Davies RoadA close drive, past Prospect Hill and as you head back to Penneshaw. Turn right at Davies/ Davis Rd and then right to Carthers Rd. You will see kangaroos on these hills and between the white rocks. Keep following the dirt track until the end for spectacular view of cliffs and the Southern Ocean.
Follow the signs and walk through the rocks and be delighted the beautiful beach. Rockpool cafe has delicious meals too from November to March.
33 locals recommend
Stokes Bay
Follow the signs and walk through the rocks and be delighted the beautiful beach. Rockpool cafe has delicious meals too from November to March.
Located as the next beach from the world famous Southern Ocean lodge, this beach is so peaceful and beautiful. You can the it has been touched by the bushfires and is recovering nicely. Follow the beach to the end, walk up the hidden pathway to the top of the hill and be rewarded for magnificent landscaped and another untouched hidden beach. We loved discovering this on our first trip here.
6 locals recommend
Hanson Bay
Located as the next beach from the world famous Southern Ocean lodge, this beach is so peaceful and beautiful. You can the it has been touched by the bushfires and is recovering nicely. Follow the beach to the end, walk up the hidden pathway to the top of the hill and be rewarded for magnificent landscaped and another untouched hidden beach. We loved discovering this on our first trip here.
Stunning white sands, turquoise waters and offers winning accolade to be amongst the worlds best beaches. Known for surfing. Check out the Vivonne Bay general store on entrance to the beach for their famous whiting burger.
13 locals recommend
Vivonne Bay
Stunning white sands, turquoise waters and offers winning accolade to be amongst the worlds best beaches. Known for surfing. Check out the Vivonne Bay general store on entrance to the beach for their famous whiting burger.
Cape Willoughby Lighthouse Keepers Heritage Accommodation
Cape Borda Lighthouse
Cape Borda RoadGlossy Black Cockatoos have thrived in American River with the support of the locals. Look for the Sheoak trees that have been protected from wildlife and seen the population that was almost extinct, now growing in numbers… and not found anywhere else in the world.
Wattle Avenue
Wattle AvenueGlossy Black Cockatoos have thrived in American River with the support of the locals. Look for the Sheoak trees that have been protected from wildlife and seen the population that was almost extinct, now growing in numbers… and not found anywhere else in the world.
So much fun to cruise and see dolphins and seals and experience the coastline of Penneshaw. There is a 75 minute tour in the boat or a 2 hour tour and with all gear provided and the fun of swimming with dolphins and seals.
7 locals recommend
Ocean Safari
So much fun to cruise and see dolphins and seals and experience the coastline of Penneshaw. There is a 75 minute tour in the boat or a 2 hour tour and with all gear provided and the fun of swimming with dolphins and seals.
Grocery supplies
This wonderfully stocked supermarket is open until 8pm. We usually stop here to pickup milk, breakfast and some food supplies.
Penneshaw IGA
Lot 149 Middle TerraceAmerican River General Store
18 Buick DrGood supplies including beer and wine and close to home.
Great grocery supplies if you are keen to cook some of your own meals.
29 locals recommend
Drakes Kingscote Foodland
Commercial StreetGreat grocery supplies if you are keen to cook some of your own meals.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Petrol stations
There are only 2 petrol stations and are located at the opposite end of the Island. It’s a good idea to fill up either in Normanville before the ferry ride or in Penneshaw which has 24 hour electronic payment facility. There is a petrol station in Kingscote which is 30 kms from American River.
Customs and culture
Ferry ride
If it’s looking a bit windy and choppy, it is worthwhile to take a quell before you embark. Also a good tip to get there early for easier access to drive on.
Customs and culture
Pet day care
Jan’s pet care is a wonderful service. Leave your fur babies with Jan who is in Kingscote so you can have a travel day exploring the National parks with Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks.