Disclaimer: All that is written is based on my own experience and I'm in no way influenced or sponsored by anyone.
We stopped on the road a lot to take photos of scenery, so the itinerary may seem a bit empty.
There were a lot of supermarkets near our motels and hotels, and we stopped by a lot too, though I cannot remember exactly when or between which stops on this post.
Day 01 - McLaren Vale (06 Dec 2013)
Arrived at Adelaide airport past 9am in the morning. We had a "coffee-break" at Hudsons before we went to pick up our rental car from Hertz and two prepaid SIM cards. By the time we left the airport it was around 11.45am. We rented a GPS from Hertz too, but if you're getting a Telstra pre-paid SIM with 3G then use google maps navi. the GPS was a pain to use, and rental was at AUD$15 per day, which was expensive. My SIM was from Optus, but Optus doesn't cover about 3/4 or more of Kangaroo Island, which makes the GPS useful only at those areas.
First stop - Lunch @ Almond Train Cafe
Address: Main Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171, Australia
The interior of the Almond Train Cafe is like a train. In fact it is fashioned from an old carriage. We saw a notice there that the owner was selling it though.
The portions are huge (for a Singaporean) and our family of 5 could only finish 3.5 sets although we ordered 4. The beef skewer which I had is nice, but kinda looks like satay. But nice. :)
Second stop - Hugh Hamilton Winery
Address: 94 McMurtrie Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171, Australia
Super nice scenery, and good for photo-taking (which my dad is constantly on the lookout for). The photo above shows you the road into the winery. :) However we didn't see any vines with grapes (and throughout the whole trip, which my dad was quite upset at). They allowed people to test their wines before buying, and we bought a 2011 Goldilocks' Moscato which my mum didn't like because there was raspberry.
This winery is popular and was recommended by the people at the Almond Train Cafe, together with the winery next to it, Primo Estate Winery. We visited that after we made a stop here.
Third stop - Primo Estate Winery
Address: McMurtrie Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171, Australia
Another photo-taking stop, but no grapes on vines too.
Fourth stop - Check-in @ McLaren Vale Motel & Apartments
Address: Caffrey St, McLaren Vale SA 5171, Australia
We checked in at around 4 plus, and went for dinner immediately after because we were afraid there was no dinner after 5pm. There are parking spaces so you dun need to worry about where to park your car. In fact the lots are just outside your motel.
Fifth stop - Dinner @ Oscars
Address: 201 Main Rd, McLaren Vale SA5171, Australia
This place was recommended by the receptionist at the motel. The food is good, and we ordered 3 portions because the lunch portion was big...
We had an early night because we were tired from the flight and needed to rest. There was a live concert somewhere across the street that night (it was a Friday night) so if you are looking for something to do at night there are. Though most night stuff happens only on Fridays and Saturdays.
Day 02 - McLaren Vale to Kangaroo Island (07 Dec 2013)
First stop - Sealink @ Cape Jervis
Address: Cape Jervis, SA5204
Google Map it here
Took a ferry (which also ferries cars) over to Kangaroo Island. Note: you probably have to make a booking before hand. The trip from the Motel to Cape Jervis takes less than an 1 hours if you disregard the speed limit and am comfortable driving on hills/slopes, but it took us about 1 hour 15 mins there. Warning, the roads on mountains have no side railings, so if you go off the road, you will most likely go down...
Note: you got to be there 30 mins before the departure.
This is how the ferry looks like:
The trip on the ferry takes about 1 hour.
Second stop - Bay of Shoals Winery
Address: Cordes Rd, Kingscote SA5223, Australia
We stopped along the way to take photos with the scenery before we reached the winery, and the GPS took us on a joy ride because it gave us the wrong place.
We bought another moscato there. There was no one there when we went, and the salesperson didn't offer to let us taste the wine.
Third stop - Lunch @ Bella
Address: 1/54 Dauncey St, Kingscote SA 5223, Australia
This place was recommended by the salesperson at Bay of Shoals Wine. They serve pizza and burgers, and we got pizza. The Hawaiian pizza is nice! If you dun like pineapple, you may want to try the Kangaroo Island special (or something like that. I can't remember the exact name).
If you dun like pizza, Dauncey Street has other eateries/restaurants.
Fourth stop - Check-in @ Aurora Ozone Hotel
Address: The Foreshore/Commercial St, Kingscote SA 5223, Australia
We checked in first because Dauncey Road where we dined was near the hotel.
Fifth stop - Island Pure Sheep Dairy
Address: Gum Creek Rd, Cygnet River SA5223, Australia
We stopped by because my bother loves cheese, and they sell cheese. We took there 'tour' which consists of two videos and a few sample cheese, but it wasn't really worth it. Maybe because it was a Saturday and the workers dun really work on weekends. But if you pay for the tour you will get to see the process of how the milk is obtained from the sheeps.
Sixth stop - Pelican Feeding at Penguin Center
Address: 1 Anzac Drive, Kingscote Wharf, Kingscote SA 5223, Australia
Note: Daily at 5pm, includes a fee of $5 per person
Really interesting as the guy explains stuff about pelicans and seagulls to you.
I can't remember where dinner was exactly, but we went to one of the other hotels to have dinner, which wasn't far from the hotel. And I got to drive the way back. :) Should be less than 2km away, though I'm bad at gauging the distance.
Some photos that we took at random places:
Day 03 - Kangaroo Island (08 Dec 2013)
Address: Cape Jervis, SA5204
Google Map it here
Took a ferry (which also ferries cars) over to Kangaroo Island. Note: you probably have to make a booking before hand. The trip from the Motel to Cape Jervis takes less than an 1 hours if you disregard the speed limit and am comfortable driving on hills/slopes, but it took us about 1 hour 15 mins there. Warning, the roads on mountains have no side railings, so if you go off the road, you will most likely go down...
Note: you got to be there 30 mins before the departure.
This is how the ferry looks like:
The trip on the ferry takes about 1 hour.
Second stop - Bay of Shoals Winery
Address: Cordes Rd, Kingscote SA5223, Australia
We stopped along the way to take photos with the scenery before we reached the winery, and the GPS took us on a joy ride because it gave us the wrong place.
We bought another moscato there. There was no one there when we went, and the salesperson didn't offer to let us taste the wine.
Third stop - Lunch @ Bella
Address: 1/54 Dauncey St, Kingscote SA 5223, Australia
This place was recommended by the salesperson at Bay of Shoals Wine. They serve pizza and burgers, and we got pizza. The Hawaiian pizza is nice! If you dun like pineapple, you may want to try the Kangaroo Island special (or something like that. I can't remember the exact name).
If you dun like pizza, Dauncey Street has other eateries/restaurants.
Fourth stop - Check-in @ Aurora Ozone Hotel
Address: The Foreshore/Commercial St, Kingscote SA 5223, Australia
We checked in first because Dauncey Road where we dined was near the hotel.
Fifth stop - Island Pure Sheep Dairy
Address: Gum Creek Rd, Cygnet River SA5223, Australia
We stopped by because my bother loves cheese, and they sell cheese. We took there 'tour' which consists of two videos and a few sample cheese, but it wasn't really worth it. Maybe because it was a Saturday and the workers dun really work on weekends. But if you pay for the tour you will get to see the process of how the milk is obtained from the sheeps.
Sixth stop - Pelican Feeding at Penguin Center
Address: 1 Anzac Drive, Kingscote Wharf, Kingscote SA 5223, Australia
Note: Daily at 5pm, includes a fee of $5 per person
Really interesting as the guy explains stuff about pelicans and seagulls to you.
I can't remember where dinner was exactly, but we went to one of the other hotels to have dinner, which wasn't far from the hotel. And I got to drive the way back. :) Should be less than 2km away, though I'm bad at gauging the distance.
Some photos that we took at random places:
Day 03 - Kangaroo Island (08 Dec 2013)
First stop - Emu Bay Lavender Farm
Address: 75 HD Menzies, Emu Bay Road, Kingscote SA 5223, Australia
Dad was disappointed because there was no lavenders, or at least we didn't see any at the door. So we decided to try a second lavender farm (KI Lavender Farm) which again had no lavenders so we didn't get out of the car for photos.
Second stop - Lunch @ Rockpool Cafe
Address: Lot 93 North Coast Road, Kangaroo Island, South Australia 5223, Australia
The place isn't air-conditioned and there were a lot of flies. But otherwise the food was ok.
Third stop - Paul's Place
Address: 1-8 North Coast Road, Stokes Bay SA 5223, Australia
Stopped here because my brother loves animals. Do note that they only open during certain days. They have a fee for entering, $15 per pax. You get to feed the animals there, and they have Emus, Kangaroos, Ducks, Koala and other animals which are all orphaned. You get to take photos with the koala, which my sister was so happy that she did:
Fourth stop - Flinders Chase National Park
Address: S Coast Rd, SA 5223, Australia
Note: You must first visit the Flinders Chase Visitor Centre to purchase a "ticket" to be stuck to your car so that you are 'allowed' to enter the park. The park has several 'attractions' that are approx 16km drive into the park:
Remarkable Rocks:
Admiral Arch:
Fifth stop - Dinner @ Nicholas Baudin Restaurant
Address: Lot 1 South Coast Rd, SA 5223, Australia
This one requires booking before hand, but the food is nice! But the food is pricey.
Day 04 - Kangaroo Island (09 Dec 2013)
Brother became sick, so we spent some time in the morning in the clinic and didn't really follow our schedule
First stop - Reeves Point Historic Site
Dad just wanted to see it, so we went down. :) That is my sister in the picture. I remember not being in any photos here I think because I was trying to play with the GPS on my phone to see how to get to some random place which we didn't have the full address of (which is irritating since the GPS we rented needed the FULL address. On the other hand google maps is kinder. :))
Second stop - Lunch @ Vivonne Bay General Store and Bottle Shop
Address: South Coast Road, Vivonne Bay SA5223, Australia
The burgers here are rumored to be legendary, that's why we made our way down. Wanted to visit Vivonne Bay itself, but the road in was very very bumpy (it was unsurfaced) and my dad gave up halfway.
Third stop - Little Sahara
Address: Vivonne Bay SA5223, Australia
My sis's favourite stop I think. It's full of sand, but we didn't have a sand board so we didn't go sand boarding, and my sister is damn sad cause of it.
Fourth stop - Emu Ridge Distillery
Address: Willsons Rd, Kangaroo Island SA 5223, Australia
Wasn't really worth the trip though we did some stuff from there since we didn't want to pay to see the distillery. But if you are willing to pay to see it, go ahead!
Fifth stop - Island Beehive
Address: LOT 1 Acacia Dr, Kingscote SA 5223, Australia
It's near the hotel we stayed at, and we stopped by to get ice-cream and honey. :) Ice-cream was partly to cheer my brother up who was so 'sick' that day that he stayed with my mum at the hotel.
We went back to the hotel after this and stoned/slack/rested/gym-ed (yes there was a gym so my sis went to gym) until dinner.
Dinner was a take-away at Bella since we wanted to reach America River before dark, but it turns out that we had more than enough time.
Sixth stop - American River
My dad wanted to see the Wallabies that come out at night, but the sun won't set till past 9 that day and we were there at 7.30pm. And the drive back was about an hour in the dark with no street lamps, so we decided to give up the wait and headed back at 8.45pm.
Some random photos taken of the day:
That's part 1! I shall continue the next two parts when I have the time to!
Read about the rest of my South Australia trip!
Part 2 here
Part 3 here
Dad just wanted to see it, so we went down. :) That is my sister in the picture. I remember not being in any photos here I think because I was trying to play with the GPS on my phone to see how to get to some random place which we didn't have the full address of (which is irritating since the GPS we rented needed the FULL address. On the other hand google maps is kinder. :))
Second stop - Lunch @ Vivonne Bay General Store and Bottle Shop
Address: South Coast Road, Vivonne Bay SA5223, Australia
The burgers here are rumored to be legendary, that's why we made our way down. Wanted to visit Vivonne Bay itself, but the road in was very very bumpy (it was unsurfaced) and my dad gave up halfway.
Third stop - Little Sahara
Address: Vivonne Bay SA5223, Australia
My sis's favourite stop I think. It's full of sand, but we didn't have a sand board so we didn't go sand boarding, and my sister is damn sad cause of it.
Fourth stop - Emu Ridge Distillery
Address: Willsons Rd, Kangaroo Island SA 5223, Australia
Wasn't really worth the trip though we did some stuff from there since we didn't want to pay to see the distillery. But if you are willing to pay to see it, go ahead!
Fifth stop - Island Beehive
Address: LOT 1 Acacia Dr, Kingscote SA 5223, Australia
It's near the hotel we stayed at, and we stopped by to get ice-cream and honey. :) Ice-cream was partly to cheer my brother up who was so 'sick' that day that he stayed with my mum at the hotel.
We went back to the hotel after this and stoned/slack/rested/gym-ed (yes there was a gym so my sis went to gym) until dinner.
Dinner was a take-away at Bella since we wanted to reach America River before dark, but it turns out that we had more than enough time.
Sixth stop - American River
My dad wanted to see the Wallabies that come out at night, but the sun won't set till past 9 that day and we were there at 7.30pm. And the drive back was about an hour in the dark with no street lamps, so we decided to give up the wait and headed back at 8.45pm.
Some random photos taken of the day:
That's part 1! I shall continue the next two parts when I have the time to!
Read about the rest of my South Australia trip!
Part 2 here
Part 3 here
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