For decades, people have travelled to Kangaroo Island for its wildlife, rugged coastline, beaches, food and the feeling that you’ve escaped somewhere genuinely different.

Now golfers have another reason to make the journey.

The arrival of The Cliffs Kangaroo Island, a spectacular new coastal golf course designed by Australian golf course architect Darius Oliver, adds championship golf to one of Australia’s most distinctive island destinations.

Set above the Southern Ocean at Pelican Lagoon, The Cliffs isn’t simply another course to add to a South Australian golf itinerary. It’s the type of destination course capable of becoming the reason for the trip itself.

But here’s the thing: don’t come to Kangaroo Island just for the golf.

Allow enough time to see the island, experience its wildlife, eat the local produce and discover some of the extraordinary landscapes that have made Kangaroo Island one of Australia’s great travel destinations.

Here’s our guide to combining the two.

Golf on Kangaroo Island

The Cliffs Kangaroo Island

For travelling golfers, The Cliffs Kangaroo Island changes the conversation around golf in South Australia.

The new 18-hole course occupies an extraordinary coastal site at Pelican Lagoon, overlooking the Southern Ocean. The course was designed by Darius Oliver, with the natural landscape playing a major role in the routing.

Five holes follow the dramatic clifftops, while several others play towards the cliff edge. Rolling dunes, native vegetation, coastal winds and expansive ocean views all form part of the experience. The finishing hole opens towards sweeping views of the Southern Ocean. The Cliffs Kangaroo Island

This isn’t a manicured resort course that happens to have an ocean view.

The landscape is very much part of the golf.

Wildlife also shares the property, with kangaroos, echidnas and native birdlife found around the course. That’s fitting for a golf course on an island famous internationally for its natural environment. The Cliffs Kangaroo Island

For Australian golfers who have travelled to destination courses such as Cape Wickham or Barnbougle, The Cliffs presents another compelling reason to put an island golf trip on the calendar.

Why we’d play it twice

Courses like this often become better the second time around.

Your first round is about taking in the scenery and discovering the routing. By the second, you have a better understanding of where to position the ball, how the coastal wind influences shots and where the risk-and-reward opportunities lie.

It’s one reason our Jet Set Golf Kangaroo Island Golf Tour includes two rounds at The Cliffs rather than simply ticking the course off once.

The Cliffs Kangaroo Island Golf Tour – 15th–17th March 2027

Is Kangaroo Island Worth Visiting Beyond the Golf?

Absolutely — and that’s arguably what makes The Cliffs such an interesting golf destination.

Kangaroo Island isn’t somewhere where you play 18 holes and wonder what to do for the rest of the afternoon.

Australia’s third-largest island stretches approximately 155 kilometres from end to end and covers more than 4,400 square kilometres. The island combines wildlife, beaches, national parks, coastal formations, walking trails, local produce and small communities. Kangaroo Island, South Australia

It’s big enough that trying to see everything in a couple of days is unrealistic.

That makes Kangaroo Island particularly suited to the way we like to travel at Jet Set Golf: great golf combined with a destination that’s worth exploring away from the course.

Best Things to Do on Kangaroo Island

See the wildlife

You don’t need to visit a zoo to see Australian wildlife on Kangaroo Island.

The island is home to kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, echidnas, goannas, sea lions and extensive birdlife. It’s this combination of wildlife and relatively untouched landscapes that gives the island much of its character. Kangaroo Island, South Australia

One of the best-known experiences is Seal Bay Conservation Park, where visitors can see Australian sea lions in their natural coastal environment.

Keep your eyes open even when you’re playing golf. Kangaroos and echidnas are among the wildlife found around The Cliffs itself. The Cliffs Kangaroo Island

Visit Remarkable Rocks

If there’s one landscape photograph you’ve probably seen from Kangaroo Island, there’s a good chance it was taken here.

Remarkable Rocks is a collection of enormous granite formations sitting above the Southern Ocean in Flinders Chase National Park.

Wind, rain and ocean spray have shaped the rocks over millions of years, creating one of South Australia’s most recognisable natural landmarks.

It’s also one of those places where photographs don’t quite convey the scale of the landscape.

Explore Flinders Chase National Park

At the western end of Kangaroo Island, Flinders Chase National Park is one of the island’s major natural attractions.

Along with Remarkable Rocks, the park is home to dramatic coastline, walking trails, wildlife and Admirals Arch, a naturally formed rock arch overlooking the ocean.

It’s a very different experience from the eastern end of the island around Penneshaw and The Cliffs, which is another reason visitors with additional time should consider exploring further west.

Discover Kangaroo Island’s beaches

The wildlife receives much of the attention, but Kangaroo Island also has some outstanding beaches.

Depending on how far you’re prepared to explore, names worth knowing include Stokes Bay and Vivonne Bay, along with numerous smaller bays and stretches of coastline around the island.

Don’t assume this is simply a sightseeing destination either. Depending on the season, there’s swimming, fishing, kayaking, walking and plenty of opportunities to simply find a quiet section of coastline.

Kangaroo Island Food, Wine & Local Produce

Golf trips tend to work considerably better when there’s something good waiting after the final putt.

Kangaroo Island delivers.

The island has developed a strong reputation for local produce, with seafood, honey, olives, wine, spirits and other locally produced food forming part of the visitor experience. Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Seafood is an obvious highlight given the location. Southern rock lobster, garfish and oysters feature among the local produce, while Kangaroo Island’s wine, gin and honey provide plenty of reasons to make a few stops between sightseeing. Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Rather than racing around trying to tick off every attraction, we’d recommend leaving some room in the itinerary for a long lunch, a local cellar door or simply a drink overlooking the water.

That’s part of travelling here.

Penneshaw, Kingscote or American River: Where Should You Stay?

There isn’t one answer because Kangaroo Island is much larger than many first-time visitors expect.

Penneshaw

Located at the ferry arrival point, Penneshaw is particularly convenient for shorter trips and golfers playing The Cliffs.

The golf course is approximately 20 minutes from Penneshaw, making it a logical base if golf is the main purpose of your visit. The Cliffs Kangaroo Island

Kingscote

Kingscote is Kangaroo Island’s largest town and another popular base, particularly for travellers arriving by air.

The Cliffs is approximately 40 minutes from Kingscote Airport. The Cliffs Kangaroo Island

American River

Between Penneshaw and Kingscote, American River provides another option for travellers looking for a quieter coastal setting.

For a longer Kangaroo Island holiday, where you stay may ultimately depend on which parts of the island you intend to explore.

How Do You Get to Kangaroo Island?

There are two main ways to reach Kangaroo Island from Adelaide.

Kangaroo Island by ferry

The most popular route is to travel from Adelaide to Cape Jervis, at the southern end of the Fleurieu Peninsula, and then take the SeaLink ferry across to Penneshaw.

The ferry crossing takes approximately 45 minutes. Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Vehicles can travel on the ferry, which makes this particularly useful for people planning a self-drive holiday.

Flying to Kangaroo Island

You can also fly from Adelaide to Kingscote Airport on Kangaroo Island.

The flight is approximately 30 minutes, making it the quickest way to reach the island. Kangaroo Island, South Australia

For golfers travelling independently, we’d suggest organising your island transport at the same time as your ferry or flights rather than leaving it until later.

Travelling with Jet Set Golf

For our hosted Kangaroo Island golf trip, we’ve deliberately taken that organisation out of the equation.

Our package includes the transfer from Adelaide to Cape Jervis, return passenger ferry travel, transport for golf clubs and scheduled transfers on Kangaroo Island.

Get yourself to Adelaide and we’ll take care of the rest.

How Long Should You Spend on Kangaroo Island?

This is probably the biggest mistake first-time visitors can make: underestimating the size of Kangaroo Island.

Official Kangaroo Island visitor information suggests that three days provides a taste of the island, five days allows visitors to see the main sights and seven days or more gives considerably more time to explore. Kangaroo Island, South Australia

For a dedicated golf trip, three days works particularly well when the focus is The Cliffs and the eastern end of Kangaroo Island.

If Kangaroo Island is part of a bigger South Australian holiday, however, we’d seriously consider adding extra nights.

There is easily enough here to turn a golf trip into a longer holiday.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Kangaroo Island?

Kangaroo Island is a year-round destination, but the experience changes significantly with the seasons.

Spring brings wildflowers, active wildlife and generally comfortable conditions for exploring.

Summer delivers warmer weather and long days, although wildlife can become less active during the heat of the day.

Autumn is particularly attractive for golfers, with generally comfortable temperatures and a great combination of golf, food and outdoor exploration.

Winter brings cooler conditions and a different character to the island, with dramatic coastal weather and excellent opportunities for wildlife experiences.

Kangaroo Island Tourism describes the destination as suitable for visiting throughout the year, with wildlife, food and outdoor experiences changing with the seasons. Kangaroo Island, South Australia

For golf, we’d always recommend being prepared for coastal wind and changing conditions regardless of when you visit.

That’s part of playing golf beside the Southern Ocean.

Can You Take Golf Clubs to Kangaroo Island?

Yes.

If you’re travelling by vehicle on the ferry, taking your clubs is straightforward. Foot passengers should check current baggage arrangements with their transport provider when booking.

If you’re flying from Adelaide, check your airline’s sporting-equipment allowance before departure.

Golfers who don’t want to travel with their own clubs will also have another option at The Cliffs, with the course confirming that club hire, shoe hire and golf carts will be available. The Cliffs Kangaroo Island

On a Jet Set Golf hosted trip, we’ll provide specific golf-club and luggage instructions before departure.

Is Kangaroo Island Good for Non-Golfers?

Very much so.

In fact, Kangaroo Island is one of those destinations where the non-golfer may have just as many options as the golfer.

Wildlife experiences, beaches, national parks, walking, local food and wine, photography and sightseeing can easily fill several days. Kangaroo Island Tourism itself positions the destination around nature and wildlife, food and wine, adventure and relaxation. Kangaroo Island, South Australia

For couples where only one person plays golf, that’s a major advantage over destinations where almost the entire itinerary revolves around the course.

Is Kangaroo Island Worth Visiting for Golf?

Until now, golf probably wasn’t the first reason most people thought about visiting Kangaroo Island.

The Cliffs changes that.

Australia already has a remarkable collection of destination golf courses where the journey is part of the experience. The Cliffs has many of the ingredients that make those trips special: isolation, dramatic coastal terrain, an acclaimed course designer, native wildlife and a destination worth exploring once the clubs are back in the bag. The course itself describes five holes following the clifftops and an 18th hole opening to sweeping Southern Ocean views. The Cliffs Kangaroo Island

But perhaps its biggest advantage is Kangaroo Island itself.

You aren’t travelling all that way simply to play golf.

You’re travelling somewhere genuinely interesting — and there happens to be a potentially remarkable golf course waiting when you arrive.

Play The Cliffs Kangaroo Island with Jet Set Golf

We’re heading to Kangaroo Island from 15–17 March 2027 for a fully hosted three-day golf escape built around two rounds at The Cliffs Kangaroo Island.

The package includes two nights’ accommodation, shared golf carts, daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and drinks, return ferry travel, transfers from Adelaide, island transfers and a friendly two-person teams tournament. Your current Tours & Tournaments listing confirms the trip includes two rounds, two nights’ accommodation, airport and ferry transfers and a welcome function. Jet Set Golf Australia

Playing the course twice is deliberate. The first round is about discovering The Cliffs. The second gives you another opportunity to understand the routing, take on the strategic options again and enjoy the setting without spending the entire round wondering what’s waiting around the next corner.

And because it’s Jet Set Golf, the trip isn’t just about what happens between the first tee and the 18th green.

Great Golf. Better Company.

→ VIEW THE 2027 KANGAROO ISLAND GOLF TOUR

Kangaroo Island Golf – Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a golf course on Kangaroo Island?

Yes. The Cliffs Kangaroo Island is a new 18-hole coastal golf course at Pelican Lagoon designed by Australian golf course architect Darius Oliver. The course is scheduled to open in 2026. The Cliffs Kangaroo Island

Where is The Cliffs Kangaroo Island?

The Cliffs is located at Pelican Lagoon on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, approximately 20 minutes from Penneshaw and 40 minutes from Kingscote Airport. The Cliffs Kangaroo Island

How do you get from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island?

You can travel by road from Adelaide to Cape Jervis and take the approximately 45-minute ferry to Penneshaw, or fly from Adelaide to Kingscote Airport in approximately 30 minutes. Kangaroo Island, South Australia

How many days do you need on Kangaroo Island?

Three days provides a good introduction, but five days or more gives you considerably more time to explore the island’s major attractions. For a golf-focused trip centred on The Cliffs and eastern Kangaroo Island, a three-day itinerary can work particularly well. Kangaroo Island, South Australia

What else is there to do on Kangaroo Island?

Kangaroo Island is known for its wildlife, beaches, national parks, coastal scenery, walking, food and local produce. Major attractions include Seal Bay, Remarkable Rocks and Flinders Chase National Park.

Can you hire golf clubs at The Cliffs?

Yes. The Cliffs says golf club hire, shoe hire and golf carts will be available, along with practice, putting and chipping facilities.