Tasting stops on Kangaroo Island beat guessing. This full-day small-group tasting trail strings together six makers around the island, from honey and lavender to wine, gin, and craft beer. I like the way it’s built for variety, not just one theme, and the pace is friendly for a day that runs about eight hours.

Two things I especially appreciate: you get admission-included tastings at multiple producers, and pickup means you can focus on sampling instead of planning driving. One catch to factor in up front: lunch isn’t listed as included, and the lavender scone morning tea is seasonal, depending on whether the lavender farm is open.

With a start time of 9:00am and a max group size of 10, this is the kind of day where you actually talk to your guide instead of getting swallowed by a crowd. In a past group, the guide Darren stood out for making the history and process of the island’s food and drinks easy to follow, not just facts on repeat.

Key highlights worth knowing before you go

• Clifford’s Honey Farm: Ligurian bee honey tastings plus a quick look around the shop.
• Emu Ridge Eucalyptus: distillery history, eucalyptus drops, and cider-style tasting options.
• Emu Bay Lavender: morning tea with a lavender scone and tea/coffee when the farm is open.
• Bay of Shoals Winery: wine tasting with bay views and a relaxed vineyard stop.
• Kangaroo Island Spirits + Brewery: gin, vodka, liqueurs, then a craft beer paddle to finish the day.

A true small-group Kangaroo Island day: how the format works

This tour runs for about 8 hours, starting at 9:00am. The big value is that it’s designed like a “food and drink map” with transport solved: you’ll get pickup from your accommodation or from the ferry port, then dropped back where you started.

The max group size of 10 matters more than it sounds. In a smaller bus or van setting, guides can keep pace without rushing you through each stop. It also makes it easier to ask questions like how honey is produced, what eucalyptus distillation is trying to capture, or why one style of gin lands differently on the palate.

You’ll travel through the island’s scenery between stops, so this isn’t only about tastings. It’s a day out, with multiple short stops where the goal is to taste, learn the basics, and then move on.

Clifford’s Honey Farm stop: tastings, bee info, and a handy souvenir shop

First up is Clifford’s Honey Farm for about 45 minutes. You’ll get honey tastings included, along with time to look around and check out the gift shop.

What’s great here is the learning-to-tasting flow. Instead of only sampling jars on a shelf, you’re there to understand the Ligurian Bee angle and how it ties into the honey experience on Kangaroo Island. If you’re a honey person, this stop gives you a real baseline fast: you’ll taste variations and you’ll know what question to ask later when you’re buying back at home.

The gift shop isn’t just an afterthought. It’s usually where people convert a favorite taste into something they can take home. If you’re planning to buy honey, this is the moment to do it while you’re still fresh from the tastings, when your preferences are clear.

One practical note: 45 minutes is tight but not stressful. You’ll want to taste first, then browse, so you don’t lose time deciding which jar is the one.

Emu Ridge Eucalyptus distillery: drops, distillation talk, and cider trials

Next is Emu Ridge Eucalyptus for another 45 minutes, and the format is similar: a short introduction, a tour component, then tastings. You’ll learn about the distillery history and the distillation process, try eucalyptus drops, and you’ll also have a chance to taste ciders.

This is a smart stop because eucalyptus is one of those flavors that can seem strange until someone explains what it’s meant to do. Once you understand the distillation process, it’s easier to taste with purpose instead of waiting for a surprise flavor to hit.

You’ll also have time to wander the gift shop. If you’ve ever bought essential oils and wondered what the difference is between a harsh smell and a drinkable eucalyptus note, this is the kind of place that helps you connect the two.

If you’re the type who doesn’t love strong botanicals, go in expecting eucalyptus to be prominent. But the upside is that the tasting environment is set up to help you find what works for you, not to force one flavor on everyone.

Emu Bay Lavender: a seasonal morning tea break that slows the day down

Stop 3 is Emu Bay Lavender, scheduled for about 1 hour. This is your morning tea break, and it’s where the tour shifts into something calmer: you’ll enjoy lavender scone plus tea/coffee (seasonal), then have time to walk the grounds and browse the gift shop.

I like this stop because it adds texture to the day. After honey and eucalyptus, lavender is gentler and more aromatic. Even if you’re not a scone devotee, it’s a nice reset that keeps you from ending the day exhausted.

The seasonal detail matters. Lavender scones are described as dependent on season and whether the lavender farm is open, so don’t assume you’ll always get the same menu. Still, the stop itself is built around the farm setting and the gift shop time.

If you’re traveling in warmer weather, this is also when a pause helps. One hour gives you room to eat, cool down, and decide whether you want to purchase lavender products while you’re there.

Bay of Shoals Winery: wine tasting with a view, not a rush

Bay of Shoals Winery is next for about 1 hour. You’ll be tasting wines while looking over the Bay of Shoals area, and you’ll get that classic vineyard stop feeling without needing to drive or plan.

This portion is valuable if you want a structured wine tasting, not just a free-for-all pour. The time window is long enough to compare styles but short enough that you don’t feel stuck while the rest of the day moves forward.

A practical thought: since you’re doing spirits and beer later, keep your pace here. If you’re serious about tasting notes, you can still do it. Just plan on savoring rather than stacking.

Kangaroo Island Spirits: gin, vodka, and liqueurs in a rustic distillery setting

After the winery, the day moves into Kangaroo Island Spirits for about 1 hour. Expect tastings of gins, vodkas, and liqueurs.

This stop is a highlight if you like spirits and want to understand how botanicals and ingredients translate into flavor. Even if you don’t consider yourself a spirits expert, you’ll get enough structure during the tasting to make choices based on what you actually enjoy.

There’s also a “rustic distillery” feel here, which often means the vibe is more relaxed than the slick, showroom-style places. That kind of setting tends to make the experience feel more authentic, and it fits the rest of the day’s producer-to-producer approach.

As with the winery, plan your drinking strategy. You’re tasting more than once today, and you’ll be happier if you treat tastings as part of a journey rather than a test.

Kangaroo Island Brewery: the craft beer paddle finish

The last tasting stop is Kangaroo Island Brewery for about 30 minutes. You’ll do a craft beer tasting paddle, which acts as a fun end point after spirits.

This short final stop is exactly what you want in an 8-hour day. You don’t need a full tour here to make the finish feel complete. A paddle gives you multiple tastes, and the timing helps you avoid running out of energy before heading back.

If you’re someone who likes beer more than gin, this stop can flip your day’s ranking in your head. And if you’re a spirits person, it still works because beer adds contrast—different textures, different bitterness levels, and a different kind of refresh.

Transport, timing, and the “8-hour day” reality check

The tour starts at 9:00am and runs for about 8 hours. Pickup is offered from selected accommodation points, and pickup can also happen at the ferry port (ferry tickets not included).

This is an important planning detail for anyone arriving by ferry. If you’re thinking of stacking activities, keep the tour time in the foreground. You’ll spend the day moving between sites, tasting, and then returning to your starting point.

Also, alcohol is part of the program. The minimum drinking age is 18, so make sure everyone in your group meets that.

One more thing that affects your comfort: you’ll have several stops, each around 30–45 minutes, plus a 1-hour lavender stop and wine/spirits blocks. The day is structured, so you won’t be waiting around much. But you should still be ready for a steady rhythm.

And yes, there’s lunch on the schedule as a concept, but lunch isn’t listed as included. Plan to budget for your own lunch or have a plan for what you’ll eat during that period, so you’re not stuck deciding on an empty stomach.

Price and value: what $286.18 buys you (and what it doesn’t)

At $286.18 per person for an 8-hour experience, this isn’t a cheap throw-together tasting. The reason it’s priced like a proper day tour is that you’re paying for several things at once: transport with pickup/drop-off, a small-group cap of 10, admission/ticket coverage at the stops, and multiple tastings across honey, wine, spirits, and craft beer.

The tastings stack quickly:

• Honey tastings at Clifford’s Honey Farm
• Eucalyptus drops plus ciders tastings at Emu Ridge Eucalyptus
• Lavender scone and tea/coffee when open
• Wine tasting at Bay of Shoals Winery
• Gin, vodka, and liqueurs at Kangaroo Island Spirits
• Craft beer tasting paddle at Kangaroo Island Brewery

That combination is the core value. If you tried to assemble this on your own, you’d spend time coordinating driving, timing, and entry fees across multiple producers. Here, the schedule handles that for you, and your guide keeps the day flowing.

What you should watch: lunch isn’t listed as included. Alcohol is included via tastings, but you’ll still want water and a plan for food so you can enjoy each stop instead of rushing the later ones.

Given how far apart producers can be on Kangaroo Island, I think the pricing makes sense if you want a guided sampler day. If you only want one or two tastings, you might find other shorter options. But for a full island day focused on variety, this is a solid deal.

Who should book this tasting tour on Kangaroo Island?

This tour fits best if you want a guided intro to Kangaroo Island’s flavor scene. It’s especially good for:

• Food and drink lovers who like multiple tastes in one day
• Travelers who don’t want to rent a car or negotiate pickup timing around the ferry
• Groups that appreciate structure and a small max group size

It’s also a great option if you enjoy learning from a guide. In one group highlight, Darren stood out for being easy to chat with and for sharing good history about the island while you taste. That kind of guide energy matters, because it turns tastings into stories you remember.

If your idea of a vacation is slow, long lunches and zero scheduling, this may feel a bit packed. With multiple 30–45 minute stops, you’ll be moving often. You’ll still get time to browse gift shops, but this isn’t a do-whatever pace.

Should you book this Kangaroo Island full-day tasting tour?

If you want a straightforward, well-timed sampler day, I’d book it. The mix of honey, eucalyptus, lavender, wine, spirits, and beer is exactly the kind of “best of” approach that works when you’re only on Kangaroo Island for a short window.

I’d skip or rethink if you’re sensitive to tasting-heavy days or if you’re counting on lunch being included. Also, if the lavender scone morning tea is a must for your trip, remember it’s seasonal and depends on whether the farm is open.

FAQ

FAQ

What time does the tour start, and how long does it last?

The tour starts at 9:00am and runs for about 8 hours.

How many people are in the group?

This is a guaranteed small-group tour with a maximum of 10 travelers.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered at selected places of accommodation, and you can also meet at the ferry port.

If I’m arriving by ferry, do I need to buy ferry tickets for this tour?

Ferry tickets are not included.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is listed as not included.

What tastings are included during the day?

You’ll have honey tastings, eucalyptus drops and tastings (including ciders), a lavender scone with tea/coffee when available, wine tasting, gin/vodka/liqueur tastings, and a craft beer tasting paddle.

Does the lavender morning tea run year-round?

The lavender scone and tea/coffee are described as dependent on season and the lavender farm being open.

Is there a minimum drinking age?

Yes. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

You Might Also Enjoy

Flinders Ranges & Outback: 3-Day 4WD Tour from AdelaideSouth Molle Island Self Guided Walking TourFrom Adelaide: Adelaide Hills, Hahndorf & Mount Lofty TourCoffs Harbour: Treetops Adventure Tree Ropes Course