Kangaroo Island tasting tour for cruise passengers only

Summary

Honey tastings, local wine & gin plus lavender scones on Kangaroo Island

You’ll taste honey straight from the comb, sip local wines with views over Bay of Shoals, and share laughs over lavender scones with tea or coffee. With pickup in Penneshaw and a friendly local guide leading each stop, this Kangaroo Island tasting tour lets you slow down and savor moments you’ll remember long after your cruise sails away.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the eucalyptus — not just the smell, but the way it clung to my jacket when we stepped out at Emu Ridge. Our guide, Sarah, waved us over to a little copper still and explained how they make oil from the leaves. She handed me a eucalyptus drop (tasted sharper than I expected) and pointed out the old distillery cat sleeping in the sun. I’m not sure what I thought a day trip on Kangaroo Island would be like, but it wasn’t this — so quiet except for our group’s laughter and the wind rattling through the gum trees.

We stopped at Clifford’s Honey Farm next. The Ligurian bees here are apparently kind of famous — purest in the world, or so Dave behind the counter said. He let us try honey straight from the comb, sticky and warm, and told us about how his grandfather started keeping bees after World War II. I tried to pronounce “Ligurian” properly; Dave grinned and said most people just call them “the Italian ones.” There’s something about meeting people who actually live here that makes it all feel less like a checklist and more like you’re borrowing someone else’s afternoon.

I’ll admit: I didn’t expect to care much about lavender scones, but sitting outside at the Lavender Farm with tea and that weirdly floral jam — well, it was better than any fancy café back home. The air smelled sweet and earthy at once. We wandered around Kingscote for an hour after that (I bought a postcard with a pelican on it), then finished up at a vineyard overlooking Bay of Shoals. The wine was crisp; I could see our ship anchored way off in the blue distance. Someone in our group spilled their gin tasting and everyone laughed — even the guy pouring it.

It’s funny how quickly you forget you’re on a schedule when you’re tasting gin in some rustic shed or listening to stories about bees. If you’re coming to Kangaroo Island by cruise ship, this tour really does feel like someone showing you their favorite places rather than ticking boxes. I still think about that lavender scone sometimes — honestly.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Kangaroo Island Food and Wine Tour

• Honey tasting at Clifford’s Honey Farm
• Visit Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery
• Morning tea at Lavender Farm
• Leisure time in Kingscote
• Wine tasting at vineyard overlooking Bay of Shoals
• Gin and liqueur tasting at gin distillery

Top questions

Is this Kangaroo Island tasting tour only for cruise ship passengers?

Yes, this tour is designed exclusively for cruise ship passengers arriving at Penneshaw.

Does the tour include pickup from my cruise ship?

Yes, pickup is included from Penneshaw where cruise ships tender passengers ashore.

Are food tastings included on this day trip?

Yes, you'll enjoy honey tastings, wine tastings, gin tastings, plus lavender scones with tea or coffee (seasonal).

Can children join this Kangaroo Island tasting tour?

Yes, children can join; infants may sit on an adult's lap or ride in a stroller/pram.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No set lunch is included; you'll have free time in Kingscote to visit cafés or shops for lunch at your own pace.

What happens if bad weather cancels my cruise ship tender?

If severe weather prevents tenders from landing at Penneshaw, refunds are not offered due to preparation costs; travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are permitted on this Kangaroo Island day trip.

Is there a minimum drinking age for wine or gin tastings?

The minimum drinking age is 18 years old for all alcohol tastings during the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Penneshaw (for cruise ship guests only), guided visits to Clifford’s Honey Farm for honey tastings, Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery for eucalyptus drops and cider sampling, morning tea with lavender scones and tea or coffee at The Lavender Farm (seasonal), leisure time in Kingscote to explore or have lunch independently, wine tasting overlooking Bay of Shoals at a local vineyard, and gin/vodka/liqueur tastings at a rustic distillery before returning to your ship.