The much-awaited winter event, Gutsy Kangaroo Island 2023, is set to take place from June 8 to June 12, celebrating the determination and brilliance of the Island’s producers. With nineteen events scheduled over five days including the June long-weekend, the Island is set to be bustling.
June Long Weekend 2023 is when Kangaroo Island will showcase for you an unforgettable experience into Kangaroo Island’s beverages. KI is bold, brave, and love to celebrate with grit their wine, spirits, cider, beer and food culture that is built on guts and determination.
We suggest you book your accommodation at Aurora Ozone Hotel to ensure your spot for these unique and inspiring events on Kangaroo Island
June 8th
The extra-long-weekend will start on June 8 with Mulled at The Shy Wren, an evening of live music, fire, and feasting, cooking with ancestral charcoal techniques, and the red wine will be flowing from very special guests, along with fine tunes to warm your soul. Book Mulled now >
June 9th
Good vibes at Dudley Wines – Dudley Wines are throwing a party, Retro Style, with a Howard Family Beef Feast cooked over a bespoke vine-wood firepit, and you’re invited! Join them as they throwback to the fun and colourful 70’s. Retro-style party, Dress up in your 70s attire and groove to the live vintage beats, while indulging in Dudley wines. Book Good Vibes >
Winter Spirits Fest 2023 at Kangaroo Island Spirits is dedicated to celebrating all things Spirits. The event will take place in the gorgeous gardens of Kangaroo Island Spirits, with comfort fires and delicious food straight from the fire pits and will launch the Limited-Edition Navy Strength Gin – curated solely from botanicals in the Kangaroo Island Spirits Garden. Book Winter Spirits Fest >
FireFeast – Experience a thrilling dining adventure with Kangaroo Island’s local produce from the wilderness at Gastronomo, will celebrate banquet dining and the sharing of food and conversation through exploring progressive wilderness dining, and at Twilight learn about the Eucalyptus industry at Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery while feasting on juicy beef. Book FireFeast >
Twilight Tour & Steak Night – Experience a guided eucalyptus oil distillery tour, Kangaroo Island cider tasting, and a delicious Angus beef dinner with local drinks. Book Twilight Tour >
June 10th
From The Source: Cabernet Franc & Truffle Sensory Experience on June 10 is a unique event exploring two of the world’s luxury products – Cabernet Franc and Truffles. Join The Islander Estate Vineyards for a museum tasting of the Vineyard’s flagship wine, The Investigator, and an exclusive insight into Kangaroo Island’s first fledgling truffle orchard. Book From the Source >
Sip, Swirl & Savour: A Wine Blending and Tapas affair on the bay – Learn how to recognise distinct wine flavours and textures, and the fine art of balancing wine plus create your own unique wine blend with a masterclass and enjoy a delicious tapas-style lunch with stunning sea views. Book Sip Swirl & Savour >
A Little Island Encounter at Springs Road will be serving bowls of slow-cooked lamb ragu, with baked potato and local sourdough bread. Savor Kangaroo Island’s home-cooked food paired with Springs Road and little island wines. Fires will be lit in some old barrels, and the crew will be on hand to talk wine, vineyards, organic viticulture, local produce, politics, religion, and the state of popular music. Book A Little Island Encounter >
Winter Feast , Fires & Music – At False Cape there will be a feast cooking over hot coals, with premium wines and live music, whilst at the Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge a 4-course degustation celebrates Kangaroo Island Honey and hears from apiarist Shawn Hinves about how they produce some of the best honey in the world. Book Winter Feast >
Flight of the Bees – Four-course degustation menu at award-winning Reflections Restaurant located in stunning American River. Tantalize your tastebuds with this honey themed dining experience including honey cocktails and listen to one of the major producers of pure Kangaroo Island honey talk about his passion for beekeeping. Book Flight of the Bees >
June 11th
Kangaroo Island State Hunt – Join the Kangaroo Island State Hunt and get back to where all great food is grown, on the farm. This is a once in a five-year event where horses and riders from all over South Australia join together on Kangaroo Island. You will follow the excitement, skill and dare of 50 horses with their riders jumping and galloping amongst the creeks and paddocks on one of KI’s iconic farms, Eleanor Downs. Book Island State Hunt >
Yaring, cooking and sharing with Pranee and Mark – join in a vegetarian cooking class with food blogger Pranee Howland and Aboriginal Elder Mark Koolmatrie who uncover the unique bushtucker of the KI region. A fun and informative cooking class, showing you how you can turn fresh available produce, some KI bushtucker and KI Garlic products into a tasty, hearty, vegetarian meal. Adelaide-based fun loving Pranee Howland #wealwayseat takes you on a wild culinary ride, with her flavoured filled, fun way to prepare food that has a bit of kick (think Thai, Indian) and is 100% vegetarian. Pranee will be joined by Aboriginal Elder, Mark Koolmatrie, for KI & Fleurieu bushtucker, as they share their stories about their love of food, their connection with Kangaroo Island, and more! Book Yaring, Cooking & Sharing >
The Penny Palooza – As dusk falls on the western side of the Penneshaw town, a twilight Palooza (a very extravagant party) will take over the iconic Penneshaw Pub for an evening of local wine, local produce and entertainment. Book Penny Palooza >
June 12th
The Penny Palooza Recovery Session begins with a cold-water swim at Penneshaw Beach, a truly spectacular nature-driven experience. At the end of the fabulous and enriching weekend, the Recovery Session is most likely well and truly needed. Immerse yourself in our nature with a Wim Hof led cold-water swim at Penneshaw Beach, followed by warm breakfast cocktails or smoothies. Book Recovery Session >
