After your ferry arrival, stretch your legs with a coastal walk from Penneshaw Jetty to the historic Lighthouse for sweeping sea views and a chance to spot passing dolphins; grab coffee and fresh pastries at the nearby Penny Cafe before setting off. Continue with a short drive to Baudin Conservation Park for birdwatching and easy trails through diverse coastal vegetation, then visit the family-run Rocky River Olives for a tasting of local oils and a light picnic overlooking farm paddocks as you head toward Kingscote.
Drive west toward Kingscote and pause at Emu Bay for a late-afternoon swim or a stroll along its long white-sand beach, followed by a cold drink at the relaxed beachfront bar at Emu Bay Seafoods. Continue to Cuttlefish Bay Lookout for golden-hour views and a short walk through sheoak dunes, then check in to your Kingscote accommodation and plan a casual seafood dinner at The Wharf Shed Cafe overlooking the marina.
Wind down your first night with drinks and live music at The Oyster Farm Shop & Bar in Kingscote, sampling local oysters and South Australian wines on a waterside deck as the sun sets. Afterwards, take a short starlit stroll to KI Sculpture Trail (Kingscote Foreshore) for creative coastal installations, then enjoy a relaxed late dinner of island produce at Vans General Store & Bistro, where hearty shared plates keep the vibe friendly and easygoing.
Start early with a scenic drive into Flinders Chase National Park, stopping first at the Visitor Centre to pick up maps and check wildlife sighting updates before heading to the Platypus Waterhole boardwalk for a quiet dawn search for platypus and native birds. Continue to the rugged coast to explore the dramatic sea cliffs at Cape du Couedic, take the short walk to Admirals Arch to watch seals laze on the rocks, then enjoy a picnic breakfast at a shaded lookout while planning the afternoon visit to the Remarkable Rocks.
After a morning among cliffs and seals, head inland to explore the wind-sculpted granite at Remarkable Rocks, then follow the short coastal trail to the dramatic lookout at Cape Borda Lighthouse for panoramic ocean views and a chance to spot migrating whales from the headland. Later, slow the pace with a guided wildlife walk through Snake Lagoon where you can look for wallabies and diverse birdlife at dusk before returning to your accommodation with stories of the day's seaside spectacles.
As twilight deepens, head to American River for a gentle estuary cruise that brings close-up views of feeding shorebirds and the chance to spot brumbies along the saltmarsh, followed by a sunset drink at the waterfront Pelican Feeding Jetty. Finish the night with a guided nocturnal spotlight walk around Western KI Wetlands, where you can encounter possums, tawny frogsmouths and kangaroos, then share a relaxed dinner of wood-fired pizza and local beer at Murray River Tavern to swap stories from the day's adventures.
Wake gently with a sunrise stroll along Antechamber Bay, where soft sand and shallow tidal pools are perfect for a morning dip or shelling, then wander the nearby dunes to spot oystercatchers and pied cormorants. Back in Kingscote, savour a leisurely brunch at The Islander Estate Vineyard with local wine tastings and a platter of island cheeses before a short scenic drive to Goose Bay Lookout for final panoramic views and last-minute photos before you pack up for departure.
Drive a short scenic route to Stokes Bay, where a hidden limestone tunnel opens onto a sheltered swimming cove-climb the coastal rocks for snorkelling in calm, clear pools and picnic on the grassy headland. Later, unwind with a visit to Dudley Wines for a chilled tasting of local varietals on their deck, followed by a leisurely coastal walk around Hog Bay to hunt for shells and watch the light soften before you collect luggage and make your way toward Penneshaw for departure.
For a relaxed final night, head to Cape Willoughby Lighthouse for a golden-hour walk along the clifftop and a guided lighthouse tour that frames the coastline as the sun slips west. Afterward, enjoy a farewell dinner at The Anchorage Restaurant in Penneshaw-savour fresh island seafood and local wine on the terrace, then finish with a moonlit stroll along Hog Bay Jetty to spot bioluminescence and listen for distant waves before your departure preparations.