You don’t need to grab passports to build sandcastles on pristine sandy beaches or see crumbling ruins, imagining them in their heyday. Less than two hours’ drive from Adelaide and a short ferry ride away, here’s why Kangaroo Island should be your next family memory-maker.

1. The fun starts the moment you get on the ferry

Getting to Kangaroo Island is a breeze on a SeaLink ferry. The ferry travels between Cape Jervis and Penneshaw multiple times a day, every day of the year (weather permitting) except Christmas Day.

Watch in awe as vehicles big and small are expertly aligned on the ferry’s deck like a game of Tetris, then hop on board to watch the South Australian mainland disappear behind you. Depending on the time of day, grab a coffee or a local South Australian wine and a hot snack, before taking the kids for some fresh air on the upper deck. Look out for pods of dolphins frolicking in the ferry’s wake, and if you’re travelling between May and September, you might be lucky enough to spot southern right whales who visit with their calves.

2. Dining experiences the whole family can enjoy

Only 15 minutes from the ferry terminal, False Cape Wines has you covered. While the adults relax tasting award-winning wines and graze on locally-sourced platters and homemade pies, the kids will be entertained too. They can explore the nature playground, visit farm animals and shoot basketball hoops, between bites from the kids’ menu.

Calling in at the Vivonne Bay General Store is a must if you’re heading the Flinders Chase National Park. Try their famous whiting burger and stock up on snacks and drinks as there aren’t any other opportunities before the national park.

Finish on a sweet note at Clifford’s Honey Farm. Taste the range of delicious Ligurian bee-made honey, then enjoy a little family indulgence with their signature honey ice cream.

3. Lots of free and cheap activities

Energetic kids can burn off steam running up the 500 steps to the top of Prospect Hill – the highest point on Kangaroo Island. Once at the top, you’re rewarded with stunning panoramic views, and benches to collapse on.

For a less lofty walk, try the 1.5km Kangaroo Island Sculpture Trail in Penneshaw. See art and nature come to life and put the family to the test with the sculpture scavenger hunt. New sculptures are installed frequently so return visits mean there’s always a surprise around the corner.

If your legs are feeling weary, pack the family in the car and take the D’Estrees Bay Self-guided Drive along 8km of coastal dirt roads. Look out for trail symbols to discover stops of natural and cultural interest. Witness seagrass ecosystems filled with fish, crabs and sea snails, colonial housing ruins, and magnificent ospreys plunging into the sea to catch fish.

4. Get up close to incredible wildlife

You’ll see plenty of creatures while walking and driving on the island, but a visit to Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park will get the family up close without endangering human or animal. See cuddly koalas and slithery snakes, and learn about the island’s bushfire recovery while feeding wallabies rescued from the blaze.

For your water-babies, a Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari is a must. Sail the magnificent coastline and either keep your feet dry, or for extra adventure, jump overboard with snorkel and flippers to swim with dolphins and wild seals.

Set your own pace along the 900m wheelchair and pram accessible boardwalk at Seal Bay. Meander past limestone cliffs and sand dunes, stopping at viewing platforms to watch Australian sea lions sunning themselves on the beach or riding the waves. If you visit in the winter months, the sea lions may be right up against the boardwalk keeping warm.