American River Is Hosting a Seafood Feast and You're Invited

A quieter corner of Kangaroo Island is about to have a big moment. On Saturday 29 August, American River will host “Smoke on the Water”, a seafood feast from KI Oysters and Place Dining. Marvel at oysters being cooked live over open fire, metres from where they’re harvested, before diving into chef-plated dishes. And with one of the island’s most iconic accommodations just down the road on offer for the weekend, you’ve got the perfect excuse to make a whole weekend out of American River.

Oysters, Fire, and a Feast on the Water

American River doesn’t usually get a big spotlight on Kangaroo Island, but this August it’s certainly earning it’s place on the stage!

Hosted on a quieter, underrated stretch of water, just a 25-minute drive from the Penneshaw ferry, “Smoke on the Water” will be led by acclaimed South Australian chef Kane Pollard, one of Australia’s best-known sustainable chefs renowned for cooking with what’s around him.

For $110 a head, visitors are looking at a glass of  ‘Gypsy’ Blanc de Blanc on arrival, followed by an afternoon packed with fresh, smoked, and flame-grilled KI oysters as well as other incredible delights such as miso grilled squid, hearty seafood chowder, and honey and saltbush s’mores to finish.

As Chef Kane Pollard puts it:

“American River has some of the best oysters in the country, and this event is about celebrating that, cooking them the way they deserve, right where they’re grown, over an open fire.”

In true Kangaroo Island fashion, the multi-course seafood menu will be paired with wine from Spring Seed Wine and False Cape. Throw in the idyllic waterfront views and it’s set to be a truly unique day. Tickets are limited, so don’t sit on this one!

Get your tickets here.

Another Reason American River Deserves Its Own Weekend

Kingscote and Penneshaw get a lot of attention on Kangaroo Island, but charming little American River has a whole different kind of appeal that visitors adore.

Backing onto Pelican Lagoon, a protected marine sanctuary, American River looks out over glassy, calm water where kayaking and bird watching are highly encouraged. Pelicans, oyster catchers, and migratory birds are all residents here, arriving from as far as China and Japan depending on the season.

Nearby, you can climb Prospect Hill and capture a full 360-degree view over Pennington Bay, the Dudley Peninsula, and the lagoon (the same vantage point Matthew Flinders used to get his bearings back in 1802).

And since we’re talking oysters, American River is known as Kangaroo Island’s seafood capital, home to a working oyster industry. At the local farm gate shop here, oysters are plucked from the water that same morning and shucked while you wait. That’s about as fresh as it gets!

Make a Weekend of It at Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge

Set right on the shores of American River, Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge is the obvious base for the weekend, with its comfortable, well-appointed rooms and easy access to the island’s national parks, beaches, and food and wine scene.

Book a two-night minimum stay over the weekend of 29 August and enter code MKI20 under “Special offer” at checkout for 20% off, subject to availability.

So get in Friday night and have American River to yourself before anyone else arrives. Enjoy award-winning food on site at Reflections Restaurant and take a walk along the coast. Then spend Saturday morning hiring a kayak by the American River Jetty or just explore the local area, before committing your afternoon to seafood Smoke on the Water.

And don’t rush home! Give yourself the whole of Sunday to explore the rest of the area.

Book directly at www.kilodge.com.au.

Smoke on the Water Event details

• What: Smoke on the Water, a roaming seafood feast with Chef Kane Pollard
• When: Saturday 29 August 2026, 1:00pm–4:00pm ACST
• Where: KI Oysters, 45 Tangara Dr, American River SA 5221
• Tickets: $110pp, limited availability, via events.humanitix.com/smoke-on-the-water