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Kangaroo Island Weekend Itinerary

Nov 25, 2021

Planning a weekend getaway to Kangaroo Island? We’ve got you covered.


Check into your beachfront abode at Antechamber Bay Retreats then start exploring. Sample regional produce, sip local wines and gins, sprawl out on postcard-perfect beaches and encounter abundant wildlife with our local’s guide to Kangaroo Island. Discover the best things to do, where to eat and what to see on Kangaroo Island - all within an hour’s drive of Antechamber Bay Retreats.

Where to eat on Kangaroo Island

Here’s our pick of the best cafes, providores and restaurants on Kangaroo Island within an hour’s drive of Antechamber Bay Retreats.


1. Millie Mae's Pantry, Penneshaw

Millie Mae’s Pantry celebrates the best of Kangaroo Island produce with their regionally-inspired menu, which incorporates ingredients sourced from around the island and from the onsite kitchen garden. Pull up a seat for breakfast or lunch under the shade of the farm orchard or snag a seat on the deck for views of Hog Bay. Before you leave, stock up on local artisan produce from the pantry store.

2. Cactus, Kingscote

A favourite breakfast haunt among island locals, Cactus is a colourfully eclectic café serving wholesome food in Kingscote. On the menu you’ll find great coffee, juices and generous breakfast offerings like eggs, bacon, pancakes, muesli and house made beans. Come lunch, pasta, burgers and dumplings are dished up. We recommend the sweet corn fritters.

3. Emu Bay Lavender Farm, Emu Bay

Emu Bay Lavender Farm’s fist-sized scones are island icons. If you visit the farm during summer, a sea of lilac will greet you with some 7,500 lavender plants in full bloom. Wander through the perfumed gardens, stock up on a range of natural lavender-inspired beauty products then settle down for breakfast, lunch or lavender scones fresh from the oven.


Where to drink on Kangaroo Island

Here’s our pick of the best wineries and cellar doors on Kangaroo Island within an hour’s drive of Antechamber Bay Retreats.

1. False Cape Wines, Dudley East

Just 10 minutes down the road from Antechamber Bay Retreats lies False Cape Wines, Kangaroo Island’s newest cellar door. Here, you can sip sustainable, minimal intervention wines on the sprawling deck surrounded by vines and towering gums. We recommend the tasting flight and cheeseboard for two.

2. Dudley Wines, Penneshaw

Wind along the coast for 10 minutes where more wine awaits at the island’s first cellar door, Dudley Wines. Snag a spot on the deck overlooking the roaring Southern Ocean and mainland Australia as you sample their range of award-winning wines paired with local produce. You can even tee-off at the cliff-top one-hole, one-par golf course.

3. Kangaroo Island Spirits, Cygnet River

Kangaroo Island Spirits produces some of the most awarded gins in Australia. From their Cygnet River distillery and cellar door, gin is infused with native botanicals sourced from around the island and served neat, with a splash of tonic or shaken in a cocktail. The lush gin garden – complete with juniper conifer trees – is the perfect spot to taste your way through their collection of gins, vodkas and liqueurs.

What to do on Kangaroo Island

Here’s our pick of the best things to do on Kangaroo Island within an hour’s drive of Antechamber Bay Retreats.

1. Explore Antechamber Bay

Antechamber Bay Retreats is a secluded haven of bush, beach and wildlife. There’s plenty to do right on site at our working farm tucked between Lashmar Conservation Park and the shores of Antechamber Bay. Grab one of our e-bikes and explore the surrounding environment on two wheels or don your walking shoes and traverse the myriad of bush and beach trails, spotting rare flora and fauna along the way. Settle in with a glass of local wine and watch milky sunsets across the horizon then turn your eyes to the star-studded sky; Kangaroo Island’s unique position away from the light pollution of the mainland makes it ideal for stargazing. Sprawl out on the beach just metres from your accommodation or come winter, stoke the fire pit and enjoy the crisp ocean air and a glass of red as dinner sizzles on the barbecue.

2. Wildlife tours and experiences

Kangaroo Island is a haven for wildlife, including the surrounding pristine waters which are abundant with marine life. From Emu Bay, embark on an aquatic adventure and get to know the island’s water-loving residents. Swim with wild dolphins aboard Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures or cast a line with Emu Bay Fishing Charters. Up the coast at Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari offers more dolphin swimming opportunities or stay dry on the 75-minute coastal cruise. For animal lovers who want to keep their feet on firmly on land, Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park and Raptor Domain are both just over an hour’s drive from Antechamber Bay Retreats.

3. Beaches

Kangaroo Island is framed by some of the best beaches in Australia. And with 4.2km of pristine beach on your doorstep at Antechamber Bay Retreats, there’s no need to roam far from your beachside abode for a bit of vitamin sea. But it would be remiss of us to not mention the swathe other incredible beaches the island has to offer including Stokes Bay and Vivonne Bay. Here’s our guide to the best beaches on Kangaroo Island.


Book beachfront accommodation on Kangaroo Island


Ready to book your island escape? Check out our current availability to book your beachfront Kangaroo Island accommodation. We can’t wait to see you.



BOOK ONLINE

Sunset Food and Wine

By Kate Gilfillan • 18 Jan, 2024
Nestled along the captivating coastline of Kangaroo Island, Sunset Food and Wine stands as a testament to culinary excellence, and at its helm is the visionary chef, Jack Ingram. This haven of gastronomy not only tantalizes the taste buds but also orchestrates a symphony of flavors that resonate with the island's natural beauty. Chef Jack Ingram's journey began as a culinary explorer, driven by a passion for transforming fresh, local ingredients into culinary masterpieces. His artistry is not just about crafting dishes but about telling the story of Kangaroo Island through every carefully curated flavor. With a commitment to sustainability, Jack Ingram ensures that each dish at Sunset Food and Wine is a celebration of the island's rich bounty, from its pristine waters to its lush landscapes. The restaurant itself is a canvas where coastal elegance meets the warmth of Kangaroo Island's hospitality. Guests are treated to a sensory experience, where the panoramic views merge seamlessly with Jack's culinary creations. The menu reflects a harmonious blend of traditional and innovative dishes, showcasing the diversity of Kangaroo Island's produce. At Sunset Food and Wine, dining is elevated to an art form, and Chef Jack Ingram conducts this symphony of flavors with precision and passion. Whether you're a local seeking a taste of home or a traveler in search of culinary poetry, Sunset Food and Wine promises an unforgettable journey into the heart of Kangaroo Island's gastronomic wonders. Come, savor the harmony on a plate, where Jack Ingram's culinary symphony awaits.  To make a booking click here.

Mooncake Magic: A Culinary Sojourn in Penneshaw, South Australia

By Kate Gilfillan • 18 Jan, 2024
Step into the enchanting world of Mooncake, where the sun-soaked charm of Penneshaw meets the vibrant flavors of Asia, all curated by the culinary wizardry of Kate Sumner. This Asian haven, nestled in South Australia, isn't just a restaurant; it's a symphony of taste, a celebration of community, and an escape into the deliciously unexpected. From the moment you enter, Mooncake welcomes you with open arms, embracing you in a whimsical blend of coastal calm and the bustling spirit of Asian markets. Kate Sumner, the maestro behind the menu, dances between traditional recipes and bold innovations, creating a culinary experience that'll leave your taste buds doing a happy jig. Imagine bowls with Asian flavours that warms both body and soul. Mooncake is not just a place to eat; it's a celebration of flavors, a showcase of community talent, and a reminder that good food has the power to bring people together. So, whether you're a local seeking a new culinary adventure or a traveler looking to be swept off your feet, Mooncake is the place where magic happens, one delightful bite at a time. Join us in Penneshaw for a lighthearted journey through Mooncake's culinary wonderland – because life's too short not to savor every delicious moment!

Penneshaw Pilates

By Kate Gilfillan • 22 Nov, 2023
Taylored pilates classes in your retreat

The Enchanted Fig tree

By Kate Gilfillan • 18 Sep, 2023
“When visiting Kangaroo Island we recommend you dine inside the majestic limbs and shimmering leaves of The Enchanted Fig Tree – A magical and extraordinary living restaurant that is over 120 years old. As an Antechamber Bay Retreats guest, (who books directly with us via our website), you will receive priority booking and a complimentary first drink on us!

Wim Hof Experience on Kangaroo Island

By Kate Gilfillan • 15 Jun, 2023
The Wim Hof Experience on Kangaroo Island is an unparalleled adventure. Rediscover your connection with nature and embark on a transformative journey at Antechamber Bay Retreats, where you'll be expertly guided through a comprehensive holistic health approach.

Enjoy whale watching & historic charm at KI’s Antechamber Bay Retreats

26 Apr, 2023
After a long year, we bet you’re keen to unwind, get away from the hustle and bustle and treat yourself to some much-needed relaxation and quality time with your loved ones. We have just the solution – a getaway at Antechamber Bay Retreats nestled on beautiful Kangaroo Island. Antechamber Bay is one of South Australia’s finest coastal havens boasting expansive native bush and bountiful wildlife stretched along four unspoilt kilometres of secluded white-sandy beach. Here you can indulge your senses and enhance your wellbeing in the privacy and comfort of two distinct beach houses, Nats and The Kona. Retreat owner Kate Gilfillan says her family has welcomed visitors to their 3500 acre working farm since acquiring it more than 60 years ago. “It’s the oldest working farm in South Australia,” says Kate. “My husband Andy and his father bought the farm about 65 years ago. Andy went to school in Adelaide and went off to work on several properties up north and in Western Australia before returning home to help run the farm. “We just love it here; the island is so special and offers so much heritage and history.” Historically known as Creek Bay, Antechamber Bay was first settled in the 1820s by two Kangaroo Island legends – English sealer and whaler Nat Thomas and his Tasmanian Aboriginal wife Betty. Kate says the area offers a ‘living slice of maritime history’ and aims to share the richness of its unique heritage with all who visit. “Nat Thomas was a whaler and sealer and he thought it was the best vantage point to view the whales and seals from the ocean,” she said. “Andy still finds Aboriginal stones on the property to this day. He also found the pencil Nat Thomas used to draw his stills, and we love that St Albans Lighthouse and Cape Willoughby Lighthouse still both operate to this day to keep everyone safe.” Both Nat’s and The Kona are inviting, family-friendly homes and each has its own authentic character and easy-going charm. Over the generations, Nat’s homestead has acquired modern amenities whilst still retaining its old-world charm in honor of its seafaring founder Nat Thomas. With epic ocean views over the mainland, Nat’s is suitable for a romantic getaway or a hub for family and friends and is fully equipped with a modern contemporary kitchen, barbecue and outdoor entertaining area during your stay. You’re bound to be greeted by kangaroos, possums and wallabies, along with an array of birdlife daily. In contrast, The Kona is a bright, easy going three-bedroom farm cottage with views of grazing sheep and rolling pasture, edged by native bushland. Named after a grand-four mastered American schooner that ran aground on nearby Scraper Shoal, it offers open plan living spaces, a large front deck with outdoor barbecue and dining area and is a beautiful vantage point to spot passing ships, wildlife at dusk and dawn and unwind and capture the essence of Creek Bay. And previous guests have spoken highly of their stay saying: “We have returned to Antechamber Bay seven times. We drive over from Tasmania which says a lot for the allure of this Kangaroo Island gem”. Another former guest adds: “If you want a great escape this is the place. Both houses have amazing views with great facilities”. “The setting is amazing, you look out on the ocean surrounded by sheep, kangaroos and beautiful birdlife”, says another. Kate says their point of difference is ‘seclusion’. “It’s a really unique experience where you have access to a 1000-acre beach, there are beach and bush walking trails, we’re very sustainable on the property and we are very mindful of the bush, we have solar panels and there’s a good balance,” says Kate.
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