5 Top Wine Tours In Kangaroo Island (With Reviews & Prices)

Kangaroo Island isn’t just about kangaroos and stunning landscapes; it’s also a surprisingly sophisticated wine region. While Australia’s famous wine areas lie farther south, Kangaroo Island offers its own special vintages and culinary experiences. Imagine tasting French-style Bordeaux wines made right here on the island, or enjoying a crisp cider while overlooking the coast. These tours give you a window into the island’s unique wine and food scene, with some guided by experts and others offering a more laid-back, intimate experience. One thing’s for sure: Kangaroo Island’s wine tours are a delightful mix of scenery, flavor, and local character.

Our favorites include the full-day Kangaroo Island Premium Wine Tasting Tour — a comprehensive experience with fantastic small-group intimacy — and the Small Group Kangaroo Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour that combines food, wine, and spirits at artisan producers. Each offers a different glimpse into the island’s wine culture, whether it’s a quick cruise stop or an all-day adventure.

Quick Overview

This list features a variety of wine tours suited for different tastes and schedules. From a full-day gourmet experience exploring multiple wineries and local farms, to a shorter cruise ship excursion focusing on two vineyards, these tours highlight Kangaroo Island’s wine, spirits, and local produce. Some tours include lunch, others focus on tastings and scenic drives. For more details, check out the individual experiences linked below.

1. Kangaroo Island Premium Wine Tasting Tour

At number one, the Kangaroo Island Premium Wine Tasting Tour is a full-day, small-group adventure that takes you to four top wineries, plus additional stops based on seasonal produce. With a foodie guide, you’ll learn why KI produces some of South Australia’s finest vintages while sampling locally-made wines, spirits, and island-grown products. The tour includes a gourmet lunch, which makes this a richer experience for those who love pairing food with drink.

Unique to this tour are the visits to Dudley Wines, False Cape Wines, Bay of Shoals Winery, and The Islander Estate Vineyards. The last, created by Bordeaux’s Jacques Lurton, offers French-style Bordeaux-inspired wines right on Kangaroo Island. The guide is passionate and knowledgeable, sharing stories about the island’s food scene and wine production, making it more than just tasting. Reviews praise the personal touch and the stunning cellar doors with spectacular views.

Bottom Line: This tour is perfect for those who want a comprehensive, in-depth look at KI’s wine, spirits, and local foods, all wrapped into one memorable day. It’s excellent value considering the diverse stops and gourmet lunch included.

2. Small Group Kangaroo Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour

Next on our list is the Small Group Kangaroo Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour, which offers a more intimate, relaxed experience. Limited to just six travelers, this tour is ideal if you prefer a personalized day exploring local producers. It covers a range of tastings, from award-winning wines and gins at Kangaroo Island Spirits and Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil, to honey at Clifford’s Honey Farm.

This tour stands out because it combines food, spirits, and local produce in one seamless day, finished with a lunch at Cactus Café in Kingscote. The professional driver and 4WD make navigating backcountry roads comfortable and safe. The inclusion of tastings at artisan farms and distilleries offers a taste of the island’s craftsmanship.

According to reviews, the guide’s knowledge and the flexible itinerary make for a delightful experience. The tour is best suited for food and drink lovers who want an authentic, hands-on look at Kangaroo Island’s gourmet scene without feeling rushed.

Bottom Line: This tour offers excellent value, especially for those wanting a full sensory experience of KI’s local produce, all with a small, friendly group.

3. Small Group Small Group Kangaroo Island Wine Tour

For those seeking a focused wine experience, the Small Group Kangaroo Island Wine Tour brings you to five local wineries over about seven hours. This tour emphasizes wine tasting, learning about vineyard history, and enjoying the landscape. It includes the island’s only 5-star James Halliday rated winery, The Islander Estate Vineyards, where French winemaking expertise blends with local terroir.

It’s a smaller group (up to 8 people), with hotel or ferry pickup, making for a relaxed day of scenic drives, vineyard visits, and tasting. The itinerary highlights include Dudley Wines—known for its family-run, handcrafted wines—and False Cape Wines, with a cellar door built from recycled materials.

This tour is ideal for serious wine lovers who want to explore multiple wineries and learn about the local winemaking scene in a cozy setting. While it doesn’t include lunch, the tastings and vineyard visits alone make it a satisfying day for wine aficionados.

Bottom Line: Designed for those passionate about wine, this tour’s emphasis on local vineyards and in-depth tasting makes it worth considering if you want to focus solely on the wine.

4. Cruise Ship Dudley Wines & False Cape Wine Tour

If you’re arriving via cruise, this Cruise Ship Dudley Wines & False Cape Wine Tour offers a relaxed, scenic experience in just over two hours. It’s designed for cruise passengers who want a taste of KI’s wineries without a full-day commitment. The tour includes visits to two wineries—Dudley Wines and False Cape Wines—both with stunning views and informative guided tours.

You’ll learn about each winery’s history and production while sampling their wines. Lunch options are available at the venues, making this a great way to combine sightseeing with wine tasting. The tour provides a comfortable, guided experience suited for those with limited time on the island.

Although reviews are sparse, the convenience and scenic stops make it a good introduction for visitors arriving by cruise looking to sample KI’s wine in a short, memorable outing.

Bottom Line: Best suited for cruise travelers wanting a quick, scenic wine experience — it’s a good choice if time is tight but you still want a taste of Kangaroo Island’s wine offerings.

5. Penneshaw Wine Tasting Private Day Activity

Finally, the Penneshaw Wine Tasting Private Day Activity offers a customizable, private experience around the island. Starting in North Terrace, Penneshaw, this tour includes visits to Emu Ridge Eucalyptus, Dudley Wines, False Cape Wines, The Islander Estate Vineyards, and Kangaroo Island Spirits. It’s perfect if you want to tailor your day and explore at your own pace.

The tour is flexible and designed to fit your preferences, with a duration of about 7 hours. It’s ideal for small groups or couples, offering a more personal approach to tasting and sightseeing. The itinerary covers the island’s major producers, giving a rundown of KI’s wine, spirits, and local products.

Because it’s a private tour, it’s particularly suited for travelers seeking customized experiences or those with specific interests in certain wineries or food stops. The price reflects the personalized service and flexibility.

Bottom Line: If you want a tailor-made, private experience, this tour provides the most flexibility and personal attention.

How to Choose the Best Wine Tour for You

When deciding which Kangaroo Island wine tour fits your needs, start by asking how much time you have and what you want to focus on. If you’re after a full day of tasting, learning, and gourmet food, the Premium Wine Tasting Tour delivers a rich experience. For travelers who prefer a more relaxed, small-group vibe with a focus on local produce and spirits, the Gourmet Food and Wine Tour is ideal.

Serious wine enthusiasts might prefer the Small Group Wine Tour for its deep dives into wine production and multiple vineyard visits. Cruise passengers will find the Cruise Ship Tour perfect for a quick yet scenic taste of KI. Finally, those wanting a personalized experience should consider the Private Day Activity.

Booking early is recommended, especially during peak seasons (spring and autumn), to secure your spot in these popular small-group or private tours.

The Sum Up

Kangaroo Island offers a surprising variety of wine and food experiences for all kinds of travelers. For a comprehensive, gourmet day, the Kangaroo Island Premium Wine Tasting Tour is hard to beat. If you prefer a small, intimate journey exploring local spirits and honey, the Gourmet Food and Wine Tour is a fantastic option. Serious wine lovers should look at the Small Group Wine Tour for its focused vineyard visits.

Whatever your interest and schedule, Kangaroo Island’s wine tours offer a rich taste of its local flavors. Be sure to book early to enjoy these unforgettable experiences, and don’t forget your camera and appetite!