(Visited 12/18/24 WE @ 10:00am): On this island thrives bees and their hives!…read more A friend and I were on Day 5 of our 12-Day Southern Australia Explorer cruise with Princess Cruises when we arrived by water shuttle into Pennington Bay for our second official port day, boarded our tour bus, and headed to our first shore excursion ("Tempting Tasting Trail" $374.95AUD pp) stop - Island Beehive. "The Kangaroo Island Ligurian Bee Co. was a family-owned and operated business with deep roots on Kangaroo Island. Since the 1940s, the Davis family has been dedicated to beekeeping, a tradition now passed down to the fourth generation. Their commitment to excellence led them to become one of the first certified organic honey producers in 2001. Today, they managed over 800 hives, strategically moving them across Kangaroo Island to align with the island's unique flora and seasons. This careful selection ensured that their bees forage exclusively on native plants, producing small batch honey with a flavor found nowhere else in the world. Declared a bee sanctuary in 1885, Kangaroo Island safeguards the purest strain of Ligurian bees remaining in the world, renowned for their gentle temperament and exceptional productivity. At the heart of the operations is Island Beehive, where they extracted and hand-packed their premium raw honey. More than just a production site, it's where they shared the remarkable story of the Ligurian Bee Sanctuary and ongoing efforts to protect these incredible bees through sustainable practices and biosecurity measures." Would I love the honey made by these bees on this island!? PURCHASE Chocolate Honeycomb Candy 12pc ($4.65AUD): Sweet honeycomb wrapped in milk chocolate, this was a lovely treat that I barely shared with anyone, and the slight crunch was a nice touch. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=NT2ifrTzSJrHSsoBC8EPIQ Organic Pennington Bay Honey Small Jar ($8.35AUD): A sampler to try, I used this as a spread on toast, and would've easily just ate it straight from the jar; it was so good! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=Tqg5M2NcvQ6MRHQekvwgqA Honey Lollipop ($1.50AUD): I was a sucker for this stick of candy! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=sTLmOqb7gSJa_Ryz-r5Qpg Cup Gum Ice Cream Cup ($5.65AUD): Buttery, feathery, and sweet with hints of toffee, this was a frozen treat that needed to find a home back in the U.S. ASAP! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=gp234F79pSL1BQZv7kCM9g SERVICE We were initially greeted by a friendly woman who offered a honey tasting https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=0&select=-CAJiBPookKri3yqn6GfPg before we began the tour. I believe the tour guide https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=0&select=RnjILDXPzVfdgAzfWyB8IA was a happy, informative older gentleman presumably the owner of the establishment. He enthralled us with stories as he led us through the entire facility before we were led back to the shop for a chance to buy souvenirs. Thank you for teaching us about your bees! PARKING (FREE) They had their own private lot where the tour bus parked - 'nuff said. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=0&select=357PdUBIcaxsEimYFP2v9Q ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE A spacious interior https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=lchJwsJIuk6YcVcaTDP6aw stocked with myriad products where you bought souvenirs, some posted information, and a beehive https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=0&select=fO6pE9uM5ANy6t2MouRJCQ that assisted with the tour. In the back was the equipment https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=0&select=kjG6VJ-J7ezJu1ugiYewQA used to gather and produce the honey. Plenty of natural lighting entered through the many large windows while a ton of bright electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There weren't any TVs nor background music. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=0&select=bc2D_cmjyO7O0NKvhjYp_A ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL Island Beehive was a fun and informative way to start our tour, and I would recommend it on its own or as a package. The prices were very reasonable, the products tasted very good, and the staff was very accommodating and nice. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $20.00AUD / $13.00USD BEFORE any discounts/tip). And, although they accepted credit cards, not mine of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS

Lovely combination of educational experience, souvenir gift shop and cafe. The large variety of…read morehoney-derived products and sundry souvenirs makes this an awesome place to stock up on souvenirs before departing Kangaroo Island.

(Tasted 12/18/24 WE @ 12:30pm): Tasting wines from this shoal near the bay!…read more A friend and I were on Day 5 of our 12-Day Southern Australia Explorer cruise with Princess Cruises while on the third stop - Bay Of Shoals Wines - of our shore excursion ("Tempting Tasting Trail" $374.95AUD pp). Just five minutes out of Kingscote, Bay of Shoals vineyard, winery and cellar door offered spectacular views, hamper lunches, cellar door tastings and wine sales. The cellar door and vineyard overlooked the Bay of Shoals and Reeves Point, the site of the first European settlement in South Australia. The maritime climate enhanced the fruit flavors for each varietal. Visitors found endless nautical delights. Owner John Willoughby assembled an impressive array of old traditional wooden boats built with planks and copper nails and caulking. Bay of Shoals Wines celebrated the opening of its Cellar Door and Winery on Easter Saturday 2006. The distinctive pelican label (created by Bernie Walsh) honored Councillor Milton Turner who was born on Reeves Farm, which was where the winery was later established. Milton fed the pelicans every day for 15 years on the beach below the vineyard, which was a major tourist attraction. The new boat launching ramp was his legacy, guarded by dozens of watchful pelicans. Were we kept at bay by their wines, or did we take anything home with us!? PURCHASE ~2floz Tastings Cuvée White Wine: Clear color, buttery fruity aroma, light body, fruity flavor, drying finish, and effervescent fruity aftertaste. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=B5tuI1m-vZJe0TLH8pMl6g 2020 Riesling White Wine: Clear color, fruity aroma, light body, fruity sweet flavor, drying finish, and fruity sweet aftertaste. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=n-U7ce-TnD9-CXxiER2Htw Sauvignon Blanc White Wine: Clear color, fruity tropical aroma, light body, sweet tropical flavor, smooth finish, and fruity tropical aftertaste. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=r5Vjpe03gY4FZKQ1DlrfXw Prieto White Wine: Clear color, fruity aroma, light body, acidic fruity flavor, drying finish, and acidic fruity aftertaste. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=-gSSgdE5c4Py2pIubk-p2A Rosé Wine: Pink color, raspberry aroma, light body, raspberry strawberry flavor, smooth finish, and berries aftertaste. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=tpQ3WqiUge2-qEsTOrbtMw Red Wine: Ruby color, mineral oaky aroma, medium body, oaky smoky spicy flavor, drying finish, and oaky aftertaste. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=aa3bYrZ5RyifENGoX1Iewg 2020 Riesling White Wine 750ml Bottle ($30.00AUD): Our one purchase to share on the ship. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=7-AtycZ6V5Z-FxUOFzcLuA SERVICE Our large group of thirsty winos was warmly greeted by an energetic informative female who rallied us into the tasting room and quickly started pouring with some assistants. She deftly explained each tasting while the pourings continued - six total. At the conclusion, there wasn't any hard sale to buy bottles, and we were all thanked for visiting them - cheers! PARKING (FREE) They had their own private lot where the tour bus parked - 'nuff said. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE We walked into a wide entrance way https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=7vqIBGCL-A6bPrgrgBxBjQ and led into an open tasting room https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=4jH_kLcrh8db7sGBbp9eAA with wooden barrel tables and chairs and framed maritime images hung on the walls. There was ample seating in their garden overlooking the vineyards and the bay. Tables displayed advertisements and other products. Plenty of natural lighting entered through the many large windows while minimal electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There weren't any TVs nor background music. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=V8j0iqzhY0Z7rDH11wYeKw ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL I enjoyed our tasting at Bay Of Shoals Wines and would recommend it to other travelers. Personally, I liked the wines, but nothing really stood out enough although we bought a bottle of the one we like the most. The prices were comparable, the products were fine and varied, and the staff was very accommodating, informative, and nice. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $30.00AUD / $19.00USD BEFORE any discounts/tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS

I came into this place with no (or even low) expectations, but found it to be quite a pleasant…read moreexperience with surprisingly good wines, to boot. In particular we enjoyed the 2019 Riesling (crisp, citrusy, floral), the Pinot Noir (light body, cherry and spice), the Cabernet Merlot, and the Cab Sauv. Nice views and atmosphere, too. Prices reasonable. We bought a couple bottles... drinking the Riesling right now on my porch in Vivonne Bay!

Excellent stop especially on a rainy day! We had about an hour to kill before a wildlife tour, so…read morewe decided to stop here on the way. It's definitely off the beaten-path (as most good things are on KI), but well worth the bumpy ride! The owner and his son were both super friendly and the wines exceeded expectations. Tasting was 10AUD a piece and the pours were generous. Unfortunately they don't ship to the US, otherwise we would have brought some home. Stop here, you won't regret it!

This gin is delicious and I typically hate gin! The gin at KI Spirits is like nothing I've ever…read moretried before; the flavors and aromas are on point. The tastings are free, except for the specialty/limited batches which I think we paid 10AUD for and was well worth it. The owner was friendly and enjoyable to talk to. Not a big gin fan or don't want alcohol? Get their coffee (it's also amazing) and enjoy the views from the patio.

Super cool tasting area. Not just gin, but they also serve cocktails. Great outdoor (with shade)…read moresitting area. Wonderful place to kick back and have a drink. They also have some toys out for the kiddos.

Situated right next door to the gas station this place serves fresh hot seafood and offers fresh…read moreseafood and many items to go. We ordered the whiting fish with batter and fries and gravy. The food was served fast and freaking hot! Totally worth going.

Fun island, lots of driving, kangaroos everywhere at dusk so be careful driving. Not much shopping…read moreavailable. Favorite part was magnificent rocks and we saw 1 koala by visitor center at national park.

Lovely little spot near Pennington bay. Must stop for a coffee with a beautiful view of Pennington…read morebay. I had the affogato (the ice cream was a bit icy) but the view is divine.

This Foodland is one of the few supermarkets they have on Kangaroo Island, and they close at 5pm…read more So be sure to stock up on your grocery before going on your sight seeing here. The price is not cheap, just like any other stores in Australia but not particularly higher than the mainland. I was surprised that they honor the weekly flyer prices for this remote location as well. So if you go for half off and sales items, you can get good deals.

drakes foodland always have hardworking staff who keep stock on the shelves at reasonable prices…read more Keep it up