Essential Services
Emergency contacts, fuel, medical, groceries, mobile coverage, and practical information for visitors already on Kangaroo Island.
Emergency: Call 000
For police, fire, or ambulance in an emergency, dial 000 from any phone. Kangaroo Island has limited medical facilities. Serious injuries may require air transfer to Adelaide (approximately 30 minutes by air). Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly recommended.
Emergency Services
For life-threatening emergencies call 000. For non-urgent police matters contact the local station.
| Service | Contact / Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Police, Fire & Ambulance | 000 | Triple Zero for all emergencies |
| Kangaroo Island Police Station | 08 8553 2018 | Dauncey Street, Kingscote. Open business hours; after-hours calls diverted. |
| State Emergency Service (SES) | 132 500 | For flood, storm and natural disaster assistance |
| Bushfire Information Hotline | 1800 362 361 | CFS updates during fire season (Nov-Apr) |
Medical & Health
Kangaroo Island has one hospital with emergency department and limited specialist services. For serious injuries, patients may be airlifted to Adelaide.
| Service | Contact / Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kangaroo Island Health Service (Hospital) | 08 8553 4200 | Esplanade, Kingscote. 24hr emergency department. Limited beds; no ICU. |
| Kingscote Medical Clinic | 08 8553 2037 | General practice appointments; book ahead during peak season |
| Kangaroo Island Pharmacy | 08 8553 2467 | Dauncey Street, Kingscote. Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm, Sat 9am-12pm. |
| Penneshaw Pharmacy / General Store | 08 8553 1055 | Limited stock; for prescription medications use Kingscote pharmacy |
Fuel Stations
Fuel is more expensive than mainland prices. Fill up whenever you can — distances between stations are significant and hours are limited outside Kingscote.
| Service | Contact / Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kingscote (BP / Caltex) | Unleaded, Diesel, LPG | Most reliable hours. Generally open 7am-6pm daily. |
| Penneshaw | Unleaded, Diesel | Near the ferry terminal. Hours can be reduced on weekends. |
| Parndana | Unleaded, Diesel | Central location. Limited weekend hours — check locally. |
| American River | Unleaded, Diesel | Limited hours and stock. Do not rely on this as your only fill-up. |
| Vivonne Bay | Unleaded, Diesel | Small general store with fuel. Irregular hours; confirm before relying on it. |
Supermarkets & General Stores
Grocery options are limited compared to the mainland. Kingscote has the largest supermarket. Bring specialty items from Adelaide.
| Service | Contact / Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kingscote IGA Supermarket | Dauncey Street, Kingscote | Largest store on the island. Open 7 days. Good range of groceries and liquor. |
| Penneshaw General Store | Middle Terrace, Penneshaw | Basic groceries, takeaway food. Convenient for ferry arrivals. |
| American River General Store | Ryberg Road, American River | Small range. Useful for essentials if staying nearby. |
| Parndana General Store | Cook Street, Parndana | Basic supplies and fuel. Limited hours. |
| Vivonne Bay General Store | South Coast Road, Vivonne Bay | Very small. Snacks, ice, basic camping supplies. |
Vehicle Services
Mechanics and towing services are limited. Check your tyres and spare before exploring unsealed roads. Roadside assistance (RAA) coverage recommended.
| Service | Contact / Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kangaroo Island Smash & Mechanical | 08 8553 2042 | Kingscote. General mechanical repairs, servicing. |
| Kangaroo Island Towing | 08 8553 9075 | 24hr towing service. Response times may be longer for remote locations. |
| RAA Roadside Assist | 08 8202 4689 | South Australia's motoring club. Ensure membership is current before your trip. |
| Tyre Repair | Kingscote mechanics | No dedicated tyre shop. Carry a full-size spare; punctures are common on unsealed roads. |
Mobile Phone Coverage
Mobile coverage is patchy across the island. Download offline maps (Google Maps or Maps.me) and save key information before arriving.
| Service | Contact / Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Telstra | Best coverage | Reliable in Kingscote, Penneshaw, and along main roads. Patchy in south/west areas and national parks. |
| Optus | Limited coverage | Works in Kingscote and some coastal areas. Unreliable elsewhere. |
| Vodafone / TPG | Minimal coverage | Very limited. Expect to be without signal for much of the island. |
| Tip | Download offline maps | Google Maps, Maps.me, or your car rental GPS. Save accommodation addresses, park entry details, and emergency numbers offline. |
Internet & WiFi
Public WiFi is available in a few locations. Do not expect reliable internet outside of Kingscote.
| Service | Contact / Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kingscote | WiFi available | Cafes, the library, and some accommodation offer WiFi. Speeds are slower than mainland. |
| Penneshaw | Limited WiFi | Some accommodation and the visitor centre have WiFi. |
| National Parks | No coverage | No WiFi or reliable mobile data in Flinders Chase, Kelly Hill, or Seal Bay areas. |
| Tip | Plan ahead | Download entertainment, maps, and travel info before leaving the mainland or your Kingscote accommodation. |
Banking & ATMs
ATM access is very limited. Carry sufficient cash, though most businesses accept cards.
| Service | Contact / Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kingscote ATM | Dauncey Street | Bendigo Bank ATM. Most reliable cash access on the island. |
| Penneshaw ATM | Near ferry terminal | ATM available but may occasionally be out of service. |
| EFTPOS / Card payments | Widely accepted | Most restaurants, tours, and shops accept Visa/Mastercard. Some farm gates are cash-only. |
| Tip | Carry some cash | Keep $50-$100 in cash for farm gate purchases, small vendors, and areas with no EFTPOS. |
Post Office & Mail
The island's only full-service post office is in Kingscote.
| Service | Contact / Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kingscote Post Office | Dauncey Street, Kingscote | Australia Post. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Parcel collection, stamps, postal services. |
| Penneshaw Post Agency | General Store, Penneshaw | Basic postal services. Stamps and mail lodgement. |
Before You Arrive: Quick Checklist
- 1.Download offline maps (Google Maps, Maps.me) for the entire island.
- 2.Fill your fuel tank at Cape Jervis or Adelaide before boarding the ferry.
- 3.Carry a full-size spare tyre if driving on unsealed roads.
- 4.Bring $50-$100 cash for farm gate and small vendor purchases.
- 5.Check your travel insurance covers medical evacuation by air.
- 6.Save emergency numbers to your phone before you lose signal.
Plan Your Journey
Information is provided as a general guide. Contact details and opening hours may change. Last updated February 2026.