Hello Maxxis-ers and a hearty Maxxis Man welcome to 2021! This month I’ve decided it’s high time we hop over to South Australia for a few fabulous days’ on- and off-road adventuring that you won’t want to miss! Taking the picturesque drive from Adelaide city to Cape Jervis, followed by the famous ferry transfer to Kangaroo Island is a weekender that will get your blood pumping and wheels rolling — so strap yourself in and get ready for another awesome ride!
A few directions to get you on your way
From Adelaide centre, it’s about 110 km (just over an hour and a half drive) to the Cape Jervis ferry terminal via Main S Road/B23. The next step is all too easy! Load up your car (plus boat or caravan if you like) and enjoy the ultra-comfortable, super-stunning Sea Link Ferry ride (which usually takes about 45 minutes) to Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island. Make sure you check the timetable as departure times vary with the seasons and peak periods – and as always, book ahead!
Once on Kangaroo Island (which by the way is Australia’s third largest island), the world is your oyster – particularly when it comes to the abundance of wildlife, beautiful beaches, numerous places to stay, fantastic food and yes, did I mention the oysters, fresh from their source?
The all-important question of vehicle and tyres
You don’t need a 4×4 to get around the island – but this is a destination that has plenty to offer when it comes to 4WD’ing fun. I’ll once again be enjoying the ride on my versatile new RAZR AT811s, offering exceptional on-road comfort combined with 3-ply sidewall construction and a host of features that deliver all the robustness and traction if you’re tempted to give an off-road trail a go! Just as well suited to SUVs, the new AT811s will be sure to offer a Kangaroo Island family weekend adventure, the extra RAZR edge.
Where to stay
One of the (multitude of!) beauties of Kangaroo Island is that when it comes to where to stay, you can soak up the island experience in a way that suits you and your budget! Accommodation ranges from luxury lodges and hotels to apartments, family villas and cabins – even eco luxury tents and other camping and caravanning options set either in idyllic bushland or complete with sea views.
What to do
All about enjoying Australia’s great outdoors, wildlife, miles of pristine beaches and bushland – Kangaroo Island is one of those places that offers all the things Maxxis drivers love best! Plus, with the many excellent restaurants and cafes serving up fresh produce meals along with some of the country’s most fabulous coffee, you’ll have the dining experience sorted! And, if you’re wondering exactly what to do when you get there, here are just a few things to get you started.
Kangaroos, sealions and more… Kangaroo Island is called Kangaroo Island for good reason! In addition to being a haven for ‘roos and other native animals such as koalas, emus and echidnas, the island and its waters are home to whales, sealions, dolphins, penguins and marine life. The Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park offers a wide variety of close up encounters, tours and activities (perfect if there’s a special animal (or two) you would like to meet), while the spectacular Seal Bay Conservation Park is a “must visit” island destination to see first-hand the endangered Australian sealion colony in their natural habitat.
Flinders Chase National Park… No visit to the island is complete without giving the rugged and expansive Flinders Chase National Park a thorough once over! Along with the naturally formed and weathered Admirals Arch (and its resident seals!) and incredible granite Remarkable Rocks, you can spend the day hiking, snorkelling, taking a scenic drive or simply marvelling at nature at its finest.
Vivonne Bay… Beaches don’t get a whole lot better than Vivonne Bay – just one of Kangaroo Island’s many pristine water and sand sanctuaries. With a jetty for fishing and picnic and BBQ facilities you can set up your rod, kick back and enjoy!
Then there’s Stokes Beach…Yet another simply magical Kangaroo Island beach with a lovely rockpool, Stokes is accessed from the parking area via a rocky “cave” route – another “KI” experience you won’t want to miss!
Explore the sand dunes…Little Sahara, just inland from Vivonne Bay takes sand adventuring to a whole new level! Travel the dunes on a sandboard, or sign up for a fat bike, buggy or walking tour that extends into the bushland beyond.
Lavender, scones and wine…While these three may not sound like they mix, visiting the Emu Bay Lavender Farm may just prove to be a new fix! Along with its purple fields of lavender, there’s a café serving local beers, wine and ciders and delicious breakfast, teas and brunch meals. (Tip: Order up the very yummy lavender scones!)
Oyster Farm… A working oyster farm in American River, the Oyster Farm Shop sells oysters direct to the public and you can enjoy an ocean fresh platter on site from the harvest of the day. Tours are also on offer showcasing the farm’s sustainable practices and the local oyster industry.
Inspired but can’t get away?
With some COVID restrictions still in place and the situations at our borders continually evolving, the new year hasn’t exactly started in a way that’s given us all free rein when it comes to driving where and when we please! The good news is, however, that if you’re not Adelaide based and can’t currently cross into South Australia, this trip is one that is well worth the wait. In the meantime, … dream, plan your route and get your Maxxis tyres checked and ready to roll again just as soon as the time is right.
Until next time, it’s the Maxxis Man signing off — stay safe and keep on enjoying your ride!
