Ever tried sheep’s milk? What about honey and walnut liqueur? A visit to Kangaroo Island would not be complete without a visit to its local wineries and producers, many who sell the freshest, most innovative creations that are highly sought after by gourmands all over the world.
That’s not the best part however. Some producers are more than happy to give you tours of their properties . . . just ask and you shall receive!
To give you a headstart with the good life, here is a rundown of some of the island’s must-visits:
Andermel Marron Farm and Two Wheeler Creek Wines
The island’s prized freshwater crayfish, marron, doesn’t come any fresher than those from Andermel. Visitors can view marron up close in the holding tanks or enjoy them at the Marron Café, which serves an enticing array of marron dishes together with herbs, such as lemon myrtle, that are grown on the property, and wine from the award-winning Two Wheeler Creek label.
Island Pure Sheep Dairy
We’ve all heard about cows being milked but sheep? If curiosity gets the better of you, take a guided tour of the sheep farm for an up close and personal look at how it’s done mechanically. Not only that, you will also be able to sample a full range of cheese and yoghurt made from sheep’s milk — a great option for those who are lactose-intolerant!
Kangaroo Island Spirits
Wild fennel, organic Ligurian honey and native juniper berries . . . these are ingredients that one normally wouldn’t associate with alcohol. But Jon and Sarah Lark don’t seem to think so. Their talent in producing yummy liqueur using local and native ingredients has catapulted this boutique distillery into the limelight. But liqueur isn’t the only thing Kangaroo Island is known for — the Larks also make a mean espresso!
Island Bee Hive
Owner Peter Davies would be able to tell you why bees are such an important aspect of nature and life. After all, as the biggest organic honey producers in Australia, Davis extracts around 100 tonnes of organic honey a year from 1,000 hives.
And this isn’t just honey from any bee, but Ligurian bees, a bee species which originates from northern Italy. The ones on KI are believed to be the last remaining pure stock found anywhere in the world and the honey they produce is considered the best! Pop in for a tour or a tasting and you’ll know why.
Bay of Shoals Wine
The winery is a labour of love for proprietor John Willoughby, a doctor who bought the land in 1992, planted vines in 1993 and had his first vintage in 1998. Set in picturesque surrounds, with distant vistas of the North Cape, postcard views of Bay of Shoals and fronted by vineyards, this award-winning cellar door provides tastings and sales of equally captivating wines.
Too intoxicated to drive back? There’s a three-bedroom accommodation overlooking the vineyards for rent.
Ferguson Australia
For more than 45 years, three generations of the Ferguson family have proudly fished the cold, unpolluted waters of the Southern ocean for the magnificent Southern Rock Lobster. If that’s not enough to make you drool, Ferguson also manufactures a gourmet range of lobster products, speciality simmer sauces and lobster-flavoured oils, like the lobster-infused extra virgin olive oil that is a hit even among the locals. The upshot? Repeat customers and heaps of awards.
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