The beautiful Stokes Bay
On such a fine day I needed music. Other genres of music have their appropriate times to create atmosphere or aline with a particular feeling. To suit the mood of this island you need classical music. If you happen to find yourself driving on the island on a Sunday morning simply pop your radio dial over to 90.7 FM. That should do the trick. If you likely find yourself driving any time during the rest of the week you will just have to provide your own classical music.
A visit to the island is a freeing experience. This is Australia’s 3rd largest island and only about 4,000 people live here (most on the Western half of the island). Even in the middle of summer the roads are generally empty. Oh and there are well maintained dirt roads throughout the island, especially as you move away from the coast. If I am not in a hurry, I would rather drive a dirt road than a paved road any day of the week. And there is certainly no reason to be in a hurry here.
The “Natural Food Movement” is alive and thriving on Australia’s Kangaroo Island. We have plenty of “Farm to Table” restaurants in California but they are not quite the same as here. The ingredients are different – dramatically so at times based on various culinary elements that incorporate wild and or native plants – some of which only grow on Kangaroo Island.
We spoke to several people in Adelaide who have lived there all their lives. Surprisingly they have not even visited Kangaroo Island. This is still a mostly undiscovered culinary and wine destination – with other highlights being small producers focusing on specific food products. The on site experiences and visits with the producers are a unique window into an agricultural and artisan way of life.
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- Dirt roads, wonderfully empty of traffic
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- Colorful lichen on secluded beach, north part of Kangaroo Island
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- Our Budget car rental, exploring the interior
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- Awesome Affogato. Scrumptious walnut ice cream, drizzled with walnut honey liqueur at Kangaroo Island Spirits
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- She likes the spirits, but does she know this wild plant, Samphire growing on the island is used to infuse the gin?
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- Cutting the oranges by hand for making the gin at Kangaroo Island Spirits Company
#ad I have been commissioned by and will be working with Tourism Australia for this program and resulting content.
I’m glad you are enjoying traveling in our home state, South Australia Dave, it really does have a lot to offer. Kangaroo Island is beautiful, we have been, but many years ago before we had our children. I think perhaps more people from Adelaide would go if the cost of getting there was not so prohibitive, I think last time I checked over $300 for a family on the ferry with the car. It doesn’t sound like much, but remember that’s just to get to the island! With so much beautiful coastline here on the mainland, I guess locals are a bit spoiled for choice really! But I do agree, it is a beautiful island, and everyone in Adelaide should try and get there at least once 🙂
I love visiting remote places just to get away from crowds, and Australia is one of those “long term visit places” we’re planning. Will keep this island in mind!
Yes, Kangaroo Island is certainly not a cheap destination – even the transportation as you mentioned. There are several Caravan & Camping parks for the more budget conscious travelers. I think this is probably one reason you don’t find the crowds that you would normally find with such a unique spot so close to an urban area.
Yes, and Australia certainly has its fair share of remote places where you can really get away from the crowds. I do love that about this country 🙂
It’s always great to read about the remote places that aren’t the typical place to see and experience. Too often there are hidden treasures so close to a big city that no one knows about. What made you want to visit Kangaroo island? Did you hear about it before from someone?
To be honest I had no initial interest in visiting Kangaroo Island – mostly based on my own lack of knowledge – I guess I should have done a bit more research prior! Tourism Australia suggested I go – as it turns out it was a very good suggestion.