Penneshaw

The basics

Whether you’re joining a private or group tour of Kangaroo Island or renting a car to discover the island at your own pace, Penneshaw is the starting point for most island adventures. Cool off with a swim at the sandy beach of Hog’s Bay, learn about island life at the Penneshaw Maritime and Folk Museum, then hike along the coast at Baudin Conservation Park and admire views across the Backstairs Passage, the strait between the Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island. Don’t miss an evening walking tour at the Penguin Interpretive Centre to see the Little Penguins waddling back to their beachside nests.

Things to know before you go

• Penneshaw is Kangaroo Island’s second-largest town and has a Visitor Information Center, cafés, and several accommodation options.

• The town is small enough to get around on foot, and you can walk to the beach and Penguin Interpretation Centre from the port.

• Penneshaw village and ferry port are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.

How to get there

Car and passenger ferries depart from Cape Jervis on the Australian mainland for Penneshaw, about a 45-minute trip. While it’s easy to walk around town, you’ll need to rent a car or join a tour to see the rest of the island, since there’s no public transportation.

When to get there

Ferries run to Penneshaw year-round with up to 12 daily departures from early morning till night, depending on the season. Summer (December through February), when large crowds of day-trippers arrive with each ferry, is the most popular time to visit the island. Stick around until evening, when tours set out to watch the Little Penguins along Penneshaw Beach.

A day trip around Kangaroo Island

With just one day to explore Kangaroo Island, most tours stop at a few highlights en route to the star attraction, the Flinders Chase National Park. Head to the south shore for a buggy ride or to go sandboarding at the Little Sahara sand dunes, spot Australian sea lions at Seal Bay, and admire the views at Vivonne Bay, or hit the beach at Stokes Bay or Snelling Beach on the north coast.