Qantas to Kangaroo Island Is on Sale. Here's How to Make It Count.
20th August 2026
If Kangaroo Island has been lingering on your travel list, now’s the time to move it to the top! Because Qantas has thrown the Adelaide to Kingscote route into its Red Tail Sale, with one-way economy fares starting from just $99. That’s a serious discount on one of South Australia’s most spectacular getaways. Plus, with travel dates open right through to next August, you’ve got plenty of opportunity to plan.
Credit: Brannon Jackson
The Red Tail Sale Details
There’s a lot more to Kangaroo Island than a day trip can cover (and even a weekend!). And Qantas’s current Red Tail Sale gives you the first step in the trip planning process: flights!
- Price: From $99 one-way
- Route: Adelaide to Kangaroo Island (Kingscote)
- Sale window: 18–25 August 2026 (ends 11:59pm AEST)
- Travel period: October 2026 through August 2027, including select school holidays and peak periods!
You can book directly via the Qantas Flight Deals page. And with the sale closing on 25 August, it pays to lock in your dates sooner rather than later.
So, Why Is Now the Time to Go?
Twelve months! That’s how long you’ve got to use this fare; from October 2026 through August 2027. Chase wildflowers in spring, spend Christmas on the beach, or go watch whales roll past mid-year. Kangaroo Island doesn’t really have an off season, it just has different reasons to get you over there.
Here’s a few of them!
Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission
Spring: Wildflowers and the Kangaroo Island Art Feast
Book an October flight and you’ll catch the island at its very greenest. Spring sees the national parks and coastal heathlands burst into wildflower colour, drawing birdwatchers keen to spot migratory species arriving along the coast.
Plus, October also brings the return of the Kangaroo Island Art Feast, boasting the island’s creative community through exhibitions and open studios (a good excuse to slow down and explore beyond the beaches!).
Summer: Beach Season
December through February is peak Kangaroo Island beach time. Experience long days, warm weather and the busiest event calendar of the year.
Surf at Vivonne Bay, cast a line at Emu Bay, or cool off in the clear water at Stokes Bay. But summer is also a great time for wildlife watching offshore, with dolphins regularly spotted riding the waves alongside boats.
If you’re thinking about a Christmas or New Year escape, this is the window to lock in, but accommodation books out fast over the summer holidays, so grabbing a $99 fare now gives you a real head start on planning!
Late Summer: The Kangaroo Island Cup
If you’d rather time your trip around a proper island occasion, the SeaLink Kangaroo Island Racing Carnival is the one to know, held each February at the picturesque Cygnet River Racecourse. The carnival kicks off with a casual Thursday race meet before building to the main event on Saturday, the Kangaroo Island Cup, complete with Fashions on the Field, trackside marquees and the island’s local food, wine and spirits on full display.
This event regularly draws more than 3,000 racegoers and is one of the biggest dates on the KI calendar, so if that’s your thing, it’s worth building a whole weekend around.
Credit: Tourism Australia / South Australian Tourism Commission
Winter: Whales and Seal Pups
Chasing a quieter, moodier side of the island? Winter is for you!
Most importantly, whale migration season runs roughly May through October, with Southern Right Whales the most commonly sighted species off the coast. It’s also when seal pups are born, with guided tours offering an up-close look.
Winter is also when Gutsy Kangaroo Island takes over; a season-long series of pop-up dinners and tastings from local chefs, producers and wineries, running across June, July and August.
Something New: The Cliffs Kangaroo Island
Golfers: pay close attention!
The Cliffs Kangaroo Island is about to give golfers another very good reason to book a flight. This new 18-hole links course is going up right on the cliffs above the Southern Ocean at Pelican Lagoon, with five holes running so close to the coastline you’ll be teeing off with waves crashing below you. What a dream!
It’s the work of designer Darius Oliver, the same mind behind Cape Wickham, currently Australia’s number one course (which speaks for itself!). Doors are set to open in spring 2026, and when they do, expect a clubhouse with a pro shop, bar, restaurant and event spaces all looking straight out over the water.
This isn’t just a new course, it’s shaping up to be one of the country’s great golf trips.
Grab a $99 fare now and you could be among the first through the gates.
Where to Stay: Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge
For your base on the island, Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge in American River is hard to beat. Set on seven acres of natural bushland overlooking Eastern Cove, it’s idyllic, with its location a smart pick whatever’s drawing you over: you’re a 20-minute drive from The Cliffs, and right in American River.
The lodge also suits different travel styles well: groups can settle in together for a golf weekend, while solo travellers and couples can enjoy a relaxed pace between activities.