Kangaroo Island’s new ‘Walk-On Weekends’ are making spontaneous island escapes easier than ever

ByDanika Zalac

Posted on May 12, 2026

For many South Aussies, it’s not uncommon to think Kangaroo Island is the kind of trip you need to meticulously plan months in advance, complete with a packed car, a long itinerary and several days off work.

But a new tourism concept is hoping to change that perception entirely. Walk-On Weekends is encouraging tourists to leave the car behind, hop on the ferry as a foot passenger, and enjoy a relaxed overnight or weekend escape without the usual cost or planning pressures that come along with a holiday.

Leading the concept is Cove Landing Marina Apartments in Penneshaw, where co-owners Mark Simpkin and Susan Craig are encouraging travellers to rethink how they experience the island.

Built two years ago, the boutique accommodation offering includes three luxury oceanfront apartments designed for guests to truly settle in and enjoy the surroundings, not simply use as a base between activities.

The key difference is convenience. Visitors can leave their car at Cape Jervis, board the ferry as a walk-on passenger, and arrive in Penneshaw where cafes, beaches, walking trails, the marina, local pub and supermarket are all within easy walking distance.

Cove Landing itself is just a 10-minute stroll from the ferry terminal, and with a generous 10am check-in available, guests can maximise their time on the island from the moment they arrive.

“By removing the assumption that you need a car and reducing time barriers, Kangaroo Island becomes something people can do spontaneously and more affordably, a bit like a weekend in the Clare Valley or Victor Harbor, but with the distinct shift that comes from crossing water to an island,” shared Susan.

While Kangaroo Island is often associated with rugged road trips and week-long adventures, the push toward shorter stays is tapping into changing travel habits, where convenience, flexibility and quick regional escapes are becoming more and more popular.

Recent South Australian Tourism Commission data shows the Clare Valley attracted around 143,000 intrastate visitors in 2025, compared with approximately 55,000 for Kangaroo Island, despite similar travel distances for Adelaide visitors.

Tourism insights also show that 81 per cent of Kangaroo Island visitors are drawn to walking and hiking experiences, making Penneshaw’s compact, walkable village atmosphere an ideal fit for shorter stays.

Instead of trying to travel the whole island in one trip, the Walk-On Weekends approach encourages travellers to slow down and experience Penneshaw in its own right. The move also opens the door for more spontaneous travel, with one-night stays now available at Cove Landing during selected periods throughout the year.

For South Australians looking for a quick reset without airport queues or long road trips, Kangaroo Island may be closer and easier than you think.

For more information, click here.

RELATED ITEMS:COVE LANDING MARINA APARTMENTS, KANAGROO ISLAND, PENNESHAW

Read this article in Glam Adelaide