McLaren Vale, Victor Harbor and Kangaroo Island
Wine, whales and wildlife in four days: down the Fleurieu Peninsula, across to Kangaroo Island by ferry, then sea lions, giant granite boulders and fur seals in the south and west.
- Distance
- 307 km (191 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 21 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 11
- States
- South Australia
- Updated
- April 30, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 307 km (191 mi) with 11 stops, from McLaren Vale to Rocky River Campground, Flinders Chase. About 3 h 21 min of driving in total.
More road trips in South Australia
Route description
Leave Adelaide for McLaren Vale, about 45 km and 45 minutes south, and spend the morning among cellar doors and olive groves. If it is Saturday, call at Willunga's farmers market, then walk the beach and jetty remains at Port Willunga for the late light. Continue to Victor Harbor, around 55 km, for the night.
In the morning cross the causeway to Granite Island for the loop walk, then climb The Bluff at Encounter Bay; between June and October, southern right whales often pass close in. Drive about 70 km to Cape Jervis and take the ferry, around 45 minutes, to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island. Book vehicle space well ahead, then continue about 60 km to Kingscote.
From Kingscote drive about 60 km to Seal Bay, where guided tours walk onto the beach among Australian sea lions. Detour to Little Sahara and Vivonne Bay on the South Coast Road, mostly sealed with some gravel sections, then continue west to Flinders Chase. Fuel up before leaving Kingscote or Parndana, as services in the west are limited. Stay near the park.
Spend the last day in Flinders Chase National Park. Walk the boardwalk at Remarkable Rocks, best in morning light, then drive to Cape du Couedic to see Admirals Arch and the fur seals below it. Kangaroo Island has many animals on the roads at dusk and dawn, so drive slowly. Allow time to return across the island for the ferry.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
McLaren Vale
South Australia - 26 km
Willunga Farmers Market
FoodWillunga, South AustraliaA Saturday-morning market in a slate-quarrying town with historic stone buildings. Local growers sell produce, bread, olive oil and almonds; arrive early for the best selection and a coffee on the main street.
- 310 km
Port Willunga Jetty Ruins
HistoryPort Willunga, South AustraliaA beach below limestone cliffs with the stumps of an old jetty and a stone cave, once a grain-shipping port. A favourite for sunset photographs, with a clifftop café above.
- 442 km
Victor Harbor
South Australia - 52 km
Granite Island (Nulcoowarra)
NatureVictor Harbor, South AustraliaA small granite island linked to Victor Harbor by a 630 m causeway, with a loop walk, sea views and a little penguin colony. Penguins come ashore at dusk, so keep lights low and distances respectful.
- 63 km
The Bluff (Rosetta Head)
ViewsVictor Harbor, South AustraliaA granite headland over Encounter Bay with a short, steep walk to a summit lookout. Southern right whales often pass close to shore between June and October, so bring binoculars.
- 7106 km
Kingscote
South Australia - 855 km
Seal Bay Conservation Park
NatureKingscote, South AustraliaOne of the world's rarest sea lions, the Australian sea lion, breeds on this beach on Kangaroo Island's south coast. Guided tours let you walk among them at a safe distance; a boardwalk gives views from above.
- 964 km
Remarkable Rocks
OdditiesKingscote, South AustraliaHuge granite boulders sculpted by wind, rain and lichen over about 500 million years, sitting on a dome above the Southern Ocean in Flinders Chase National Park. Best at sunrise or sunset; the wind can be strong.
- 107 km
Cape du Couedic and Admirals Arch
NatureKingscote, South AustraliaA natural limestone arch hung with stalactites, below an 1909 lighthouse on the island's south-west tip. New Zealand fur seals rest on the rocks beneath the boardwalk, so stay on the path.
- 1113 km
Rocky River Campground, Flinders Chase
CampingKingscote, South AustraliaThe main national park campground, set in mallee woodland near the park visitor centre at Flinders Chase. Kangaroos, wallabies and koalas wander through; keep food sealed and book ahead in school holidays.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: McLaren Vale → The Bluff (Rosetta Head) · 63 km · 0 h 41 minOn the way: Willunga Farmers Market, Port Willunga Jetty Ruins, Victor Harbor, Granite Island (Nulcoowarra).
- Day 2: The Bluff (Rosetta Head) → Kingscote · 106 km · 1 h 10 min
- Day 3: Kingscote → Seal Bay Conservation Park · 55 km · 0 h 36 min
- Day 4: Seal Bay Conservation Park → Rocky River Campground, Flinders Chase · 84 km · 0 h 55 minOn the way: Remarkable Rocks, Cape du Couedic and Admirals Arch.Overnight at the campsite itself.
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually March–May and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, August–September and December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is McLaren Vale, Victor Harbor and Kangaroo Island?
4-day road trip of about 307 km (191 mi) with 11 stops, from McLaren Vale to Rocky River Campground, Flinders Chase. About 3 h 21 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for McLaren Vale, Victor Harbor and Kangaroo Island?
We suggest 4 days: about 3 h 21 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does McLaren Vale, Victor Harbor and Kangaroo Island start and end?
It starts in McLaren Vale and ends in Rocky River Campground, Flinders Chase.
Which states does McLaren Vale, Victor Harbor and Kangaroo Island pass through?
South Australia.
When is the best time for McLaren Vale, Victor Harbor and Kangaroo Island?
The most pleasant months are usually March–May and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, August–September and December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
