Bushfire Recovery Giveback Trip: #EmptyEsky 3 Day Kangaroo Island

Commencing your Bushfire Recovery Giveback Trip, depart from the Adabco Boutique Hotel in Adelaide, and head down to the scenic Fleurieu Peninsula to Cape Jervis, where we’ll board the ferry for our 45-minute ride across to Kangaroo Island. The ferry has a café where you may wish to purchase a light lunch, a snack or a glass of wine before landing on the island. As you arrive, it’s a great opportunity to reflect on the resilience of this small community, and what you can contribute during your time here.

On arrival, our first stop is Dudley Wines where you can taste up to 4 wines from their clifftop cellar door, or just relax and have a bite to eat at their lovely café soaking up the spectacular view across Backstairs Passage to mainland Australia. Like many businesses on the Island, Dudley Wines has been affected by the recent bushfires, but their drops are as sweet as ever – try The Stud Shiraz, Porky Flat Shiraz or even some Dudley Bubbly to fill your #EmptyEsky! It’s a great place to pick up some artisan wines to support these recovering regional producers. Here you’ll also have the chance to check out some of KI’s local produce and artwork.

We then head to Kangaroo Island Spirits, Australia’s oldest and highest awarded gin distillery. Here you’ll meet owners Sarah and Jon Lark who’ll greet you with a G & T on arrival before taking you through the gin making process where you’ll be offered 3 special tastings. Finish the visit off with a delicious homemade honey and walnut liqueur ice cream – or maybe choose your favourite drop to take home and fill your #EmptyEsky.

Our last stop for the day will be at Kingscote, South Australia's oldest European settlement and the island's largest town. Here, you can check into your hotel, the Aurora Ozone. This evening you will be free to wander and grab some dinner.  You may feel like a good old-fashioned pub meal at the Queenscliff Hotel or perhaps some pasta at Bella Café and Pizza Bar or some Tapas at Amadio Cellar Door is more your style.

This morning, it’s an early start to the day as we head off to Parndana to do a morning Volunteering activity with Blaze Aid. After a safety briefing, you will re-board the coach and make your way to Stokes Bay to visit one of the wineries badly affected by the recent bushfires.  Here you will be supplied with gloves and tools and will spend the next 2 hours in the vineyards helping the owners cut down trellises and irrigation piping.   

From here you’ll head to Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park which has been hugely busy since the fires, taking care of all the injured wildlife on the island.  Enjoy a 1-hour informative tour and hear about what their plans are for re-homing and re-establishing these beloved native animals once they are ready to leave the park.

It’s then on to lunch at the leafy gardens of Frogs & Roses where Natalie and her team will serve you a delicious mix of pizzas, pasta and salad followed by a welcome cup of coffee or tea. Wander around their small nursery and take in the serenity of this lovely little Kangaroo Island gem. 

For our last stop for the day is at one of the largest organic honey producers in Australia, Island Beehive.  You’ll be met by Kangaroo Island born and bred, Peter Davis whose passion for his bees and honey is contagious.  Peter and his team will take you on a tour and share with you the story of the remarkable Ligurian Bees which are believed to be the last remaining pure stock of this type found anywhere in the world. The perfect way to support this local business, and take home a lasting memory of your trip, choose from flavours such as Coastal Flora, Sugar Gum and Stringy Bark honeys to take home – or try something new and fill your #EmptyEsky with honey mead! 

Tonight, you are free at leisure to either venture out for a bite to eat and meet the friendly locals or enjoy dinner and an early night at your beachfront hotel.

After breakfast you’ll head to the Kingscote Farmers and Artisian Market held at Bay of Shoals Winery.  This market showcases some of Kangaroo Island’s finest Artisan producers, arts and crafts, local seasonal produce from veggies, freshly baked bread, cakes and pastries to preserves and coffee.

From here you’ll head to Kangaroo Island Brewery to taste some of the island’s best craft beers and to meet Mike, the owner. His motto is ‘We want to make a beer for you that makes you happy!’  He’s proud to admit that all the beers are brewed on site using the water that runs off the roof of his tin shed!

Try one or several of his beers on offer, and if you love it as much as Mike does, buy some to take home with you. AAT Kings will even foot the bill for the freight!

After wetting the whisker, the group will make its way to the Emu Bay Lavender Farm.  Meet locals Maria and Tony who have been farming this land for nearly two decades. The farm grows 10 different varieties and produces around 8,000 bunches of lavender every year. Due to its popularity, the farm expanded in 2009 to include a shop and small café.

It’s then time to head back to Adelaide this afternoon where your Bushfire Recovery Giveback experience will come to an end, dropping you at the Mayfair Hotel. On the way, enjoy some of the goodies you’ve picked up, and reflect on how important it is to support regional recovery through tourism.

Note: Subject to change in conditions. Venue suggestions are dependent on bushfire recovery efforts and alternates may be suggested by your driver guide. The local community will appreciate your flexibility and patronage in any of the venues that are available on the day of your trip.