First Food and Wine Trail For Kangaroo Island

Visitors to wild and wonderful Kangaroo Island can now explore a new trail to surprising places where they can taste the best local food and wine.

The same pristine environment that makes the island a haven for Australian wildlife has made it an ideal clean, green environment for famers, vignerons and fishermen to present a delicious array of local gourmet delights.

Thanks to the launch of the Kangaroo Island Farm Gate and Cellar Door Trail, visitors can now easily plan a trip taking in a range of local producers, cellar doors and events, each with their own specialities and personalities.

The trail brochure includes three suggested itineraries developed for visitors with varying amounts of time on the island, each also featuring a mix of art, scenery and natural delights.

The trail itself features boutique establishments focussing on quality rather than quantity, and visitors who arrive at the island's food and wine landmarks will often be able to chat with the makers while they taste their creations.

Kangaroo Island producers are renowned for the quality of their products, which include free-range eggs, olive oil, honey, native berry jams, smoked fish, sauces and marinades, regional yoghurts and cheeses, freshwater marron, breads and biscuits.The sea also yields a bounty: oysters, prawns, crayfish, whiting, snapper and garfish are all available fresh from the ocean.

Kangaroo Island was declared a wine region in 2001. Today its 200 hectares of vines are tended by 30 growers, who together produce wine for 18 labels. Ciders and spirits are also made locally.

Visitors who follow the Kangaroo Island Farm Gate and Cellar Door Trail will find food that tunes into the seasons and nature, much of which is hard to find anywhere else.

Tourism Kangaroo Island chairman Pierre Gregor said establishment of a food and wine trail was a long-held ambition for many local tourism operators. 

"We are very proud of the finished product and look forward to welcoming new visitors to Kangaroo Island," Mr Gregor said.

"There is so much to enjoy here and we hope this trail will help spread the word. The offering made through the island's food, wine and art experience helps to value-add the tourism experience." 

The Kangaroo Island Farm Gate and Cellar Door Trail was produced by Tourism Kangaroo Island, with funding provided through the South Australian Tourism Commission's Destination Development Fund.

The Kangaroo Island Farm Gate and Cellar Door Trail guide can be obtained from the Kangaroo Island Gateway Visitor Information Centre on 1800 811 080 or via www.tourkangarooisland.com.au.