Beach camping near Cape Jervis with hiking
The gateway to Kangaroo Island and the Fleurieu Peninsula.
- Cape Jervis
Popular camping styles for Cape Jervis
Beach camping near Cape Jervis with hiking guide
Overview
Most campers only find themselves in Cape Jervis for one reason only—to catch the ferry to Kangaroo Island—but there are plenty of good reasons to stay on the mainland too. Perched at the western tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula, the ferry port is also a strategic base for exploring the sandy beaches, rocky coves, and sea cliffs of the south coast. Set out from Cape Jervis to hike the 745-mile (1,200-kilometre)-long Heysen Trail, go wildlife watching at Deep Creek Conservation Park, or hike and fish along the pebbled beaches of Rapid Bay.
Where to go
Fleurieu Peninsula
Road-trippers driving from Adelaide to Cape Jervis can take in the highlights of the Fleurieu Peninsula along the way. Swing by the Willunga Farmers Market, ride a horse-drawn tram from Victor Harbor to see the penguin colonies of Granite Island, or hop aboard the famous Cockle Train at nearby Goolwa.
Kangaroo Island
Car ferries set sail from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island—about a 45-minute journey—from where you can explore the island’s sandy beaches and wildlife-filled bushlands. Stop at Seal Bay to admire the sea lion colony, go sandboarding at the Little Sahara sand dunes, then venture off-road in the Flinders Chase National Park, home to natural wonders like Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch.
McLaren Vale
The vine-clad foothills of the Mount Lofty Ranges and the Adelaide Hills make up the McLaren Vale wine region, home to some of South Australia’s oldest and most prestigious wineries. Rent a bike to explore the Shiraz trail, stopping off at boutique wineries and cellar doors, then check into a tranquil country campground, spend a night in a solar-powered eco-cabin, or go glamping in a bell tent.
When to go
The most popular time to visit Cape Jervis is during the summer months (Dec through Feb), when crowds flock to the surrounding beaches and ferry port. Ferries run from Cape Jervis to Kangaroo Island year-round, although they are occasionally cancelled in winter if the weather is particularly rough. June through October is whale migration season, so keep a lookout as you hike or cruise along the south coast.
