You have three ways to get wheels on Kangaroo Island: hire a car on the mainland and put it on the SeaLink ferry from Cape Jervis, fly to Kingscote and hire there, or walk on the ferry and hire on the island. SeaLink lets you book a hire car on the ferry (tick 'This is a hire car' and declare EV or hybrid), but whether your rental company permits it is set by your agreement and varies, so check before paying for the crossing. Distances are bigger than they look: the island is about 155 km long and Flinders Chase is roughly a 90-minute drive from Kingscote.
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Prices are shown in Australian dollars. Before you book, open the offer and check where that company's desk or depot is, the bond, and what the agreement says about the roads you plan to drive.
Preparing live car hire search
Tourism Kangaroo Island names two rental companies on the island. Ask for the pickup point and hours when you book.
| Company | Where |
|---|---|
| Budget | Listed by the airport |
| Hertz | Listed by the airport |
Decide first: ferry with a mainland hire car, fly to Kingscote and hire there, or walk on and hire on the island. Tourism Kangaroo Island advises booking ferries, tours and accommodation early, as SeaLink sailings can fill quickly in peak periods.
If you are taking a mainland hire car across, tick 'This is a hire car' when booking with SeaLink and say whether it is electric or hybrid. SeaLink also asks you to contact them once you have collected the car to give its make and model.
Get written confirmation from your rental company that its car can go on the ferry. Which companies allow it varies.
At Cape Jervis, arrive 30 minutes before departure to check in and load. SeaLink's Cape Jervis terminal has secure car parking nearby for people who leave a car behind, and says pre-booking is strongly recommended.
Ferry car: drive back on to the Penneshaw to Cape Jervis sailing and return the car on the mainland as normal. Allow for check-in 30 minutes before departure.
Island hire: ask your rental company where to return the car, and check any one-way drop-off (for example at Kingscote Airport) before you book.
Fill up before the airport or ferry. Fuel is available 24 hours at Kingscote, Penneshaw, American River and Western KI Caravan Park, and also at Parndana and Vivonne Bay.
Check the last sailing times in the SeaLink timetable. The last Penneshaw departure is at 10:15 pm, but extra services and restrictions vary by season.
Distances are approximate and measured along the road.
about 110 km ยท about 90 minutes to the entry gate
Home of Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch. Pack enough water and snacks, as the nearest food is The Rocks Cafe at the visitor centre, Vivonne Bay General Store (40 minutes east) or Western KI Caravan Park (10 minutes from the entry).
about 45 minutes
Sea lion colony with a 900 m (return) wheelchair accessible boardwalk. Opens from 9am, with last entry at 4pm.
about 45 minutes by ferry
The usual way to bring a car across. Timetable runs roughly 6am to 9:45pm from Cape Jervis, with no service on Christmas Day.
Tourism Kangaroo Island says many main roads are well maintained and suitable for 2WD, and a 2WD can still be used on unsealed routes with care. Your rental agreement may restrict unsealed roads, so check it before heading down gravel to a beach or campground.
NPWS SA says West Bay Campground, West Bay Road and Shackle Road in Flinders Chase may be closed seasonally because the roads are unsafe after rain. Call (08) 8553 4444 for current information.
Tourism Kangaroo Island advises keeping an eye out for animals crossing roads, particularly at dawn and dusk.
24-hour fuel is at Kingscote, Penneshaw, American River and Western KI Caravan Park, with more at Parndana and Vivonne Bay. Fill up before the run to Flinders Chase.
Tourism Kangaroo Island lists six RAA Charge stations, at Penneshaw, Kingscote and Kangaroo Island Airport. The chargers at Flinders Chase visitor centre are solar reliant and there may be periods of outages.
Rental terms differ by company. Where an answer depends on your agreement, we say so.
SeaLink lets you tick 'This is a hire car' when booking, and asks you to say if it is electric or hybrid. Whether the rental company allows it depends on your agreement and varies by company, so get it confirmed in writing before you book the ferry.
Yes. Tourism Kangaroo Island lists Budget and Hertz on the island, and you can fly QantasLink from Adelaide to Kingscote (about 30 minutes) or take the ferry as a foot passenger.
Not for the main roads. Tourism Kangaroo Island says many main roads are well maintained and suitable for 2WD, and a 2WD can still be used on unsealed routes with care. Your rental agreement may restrict unsealed roads, so check it before choosing a car.
24-hour fuel is at Kingscote, Penneshaw, American River and Western KI Caravan Park. Fuel is also sold at Parndana and Vivonne Bay.
About 45 minutes from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw. The ferry runs every day except Christmas Day, and SeaLink asks you to check in 30 minutes before departure.
About 110 km, roughly a 90-minute drive. Park entry is $22.40 per person.
Search live prices in Australian dollars, then check the pickup point and conditions on the offer.