Car hire on Kangaroo Island, from the Penneshaw ferry
Compare 3 rental brands across 3 Kangaroo Island depots — pay at pickup, free cancellation.
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Cheapest rate today, by vehicle class in Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island sits off the coast of South Australia, about 112 kilometres south west of Adelaide. One of the largest islands in Australia, Kangaroo Island is home to several major attractions, including the Remarkable Rocks in Flinders Chase and the Little Sahara sand dunes.
Enjoy Kangaroo Island’s dramatic coastal views, rich wildlife diversity, and farm-fresh delicacies with a hire car from VroomVroomVroom. We compare live prices from major car rental brands — browse vehicles, compare features, and choose the right hire car for your trip.
Fullsize SUV
Toyota Kluger or similar
View offerTravel 08 Nov - 11 Nov 2026
from AUD $180/day
Compact SUV
Kia Stonic or similar
View offerTravel 03 Nov - 06 Nov 2026
from AUD $163/day
Intermediate SUV
Kia Sportage or similar
View offerTravel 03 Nov - 06 Nov 2026
from AUD $176/day
Fullsize Passenger Van
Kia Carnival Hybrid or similar
View offerTravel 05 Nov - 08 Nov 2026
from AUD $283/day
Premium SUV
Mitsubishi Pajero or similar
View offerTravel 03 Nov - 06 Nov 2026
from AUD $178/day
Rental rate prices displayed are AUD and were available in response to a search at 12:01 am on November 02, 2026 by an Australian resident aged between 30 and 69 years old, for the specified travel dates, with a pickup and return time of 10:00 am. Rates and vehicle availability may change without notice. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates. Rates include all mandatory fees for the rental and exclude credit card surcharges and extras.
All rates are in AUD, include mandatory fees, and were last updated on 02 November, 2026. Use the search tool for a live quote.
Kangaroo Island price guide
Daily rates by vehicle type
- One of two classes sits below its usual level this week — compact SUVs are the cheapest at $163/day.
- The typical Kangaroo Island hire is 1 day, so an intermediate SUV at $176/day is about $176 for the trip.
- Intermediate SUVs are the most booked class (56.3%) but not the cheapest — compact SUVs are $13/day less.
| Vehicle type | 2025 range Calculated using the middle 90% of daily rates over 2025 to show typical seasonal variation. | This week Compared against the 7-day rolling median rate for this vehicle category. Individual booking dates, pickup locations, and provider availability will alter final pricing. |
|---|---|---|
| SUVS | ||
Compact SUV | 2025 range $141 - $290/dayCalculated using the middle 90% of daily rates over 2025 to show typical seasonal variation. | This week Compared against the 7-day rolling median rate for this vehicle category. Individual booking dates, pickup locations, and provider availability will alter final pricing. $163 · cheaper than usual |
Intermediate SUVMost booked | 2025 range $143 - $332/day | This week $176 · dearer than usual |
Calculated using the middle 90% of 3-day rates. Calculation updated daily.
Cheapest provider this week
Only on VroomVroomVroom- Budget is cheapest this week at $163/day — $109 under the next brand, Thrifty at $272/day.
- The cheapest is also the best rated: Budget scores 5 from 1 renter.
| Provider | Cheapest this week | Renter ratings | Compare prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $163/day | 5 out of 5 (1 review) | Check prices for Budget → |
| Thrifty | $272/day | 4.1 out of 5 (2 reviews) | Check prices for Thrifty → |
| Hertz | $286/day | 4.8 out of 5 (1 review) | Check prices for Hertz → |
Indicates the lowest available rate for a 3-day rental over the next seven days. Recalculated daily.
Rates shown are indicative daily estimates based on historical booking data. 12-month ranges represent typical market pricing (excluding extreme top and bottom outliers). Actual prices fluctuate in real time based on availability, lead time, season, and location, and may exclude optional add-ons, local taxes, or young driver fees.
Which type of hire car in Kangaroo Island is right for you?
| Best for | Vehicle type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Penneshaw ferry arrival | Intermediate SUV or compact SUV (Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-30, Kia Stonic) | A ferry ride from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw in Kangaroo Island can take around 45 minutes. When you take a ferry in the morning and pick up your rental car upon arrival, you’re set for a full day of beach hopping. If you’re on the island for a day or travelling with a small group, a compact SUV hire is easy to manoeuvre while offering ample storage space for your daily essentials. Intermediate SUVs prioritise comfort with more leg room and wider compartments, useful for long drives and multi-day camping trips. |
| Off-peak bargain hunter | Economy car or compact car (Suzuki Swift, Toyota Corolla) | Locally known as the “in season,” winter in Kangaroo Island rewards off-peak travellers with unique island experiences — an unhurried atmosphere, uncrowded viewpoints, and opportunities to witness wildlife thriving in their natural habitat. For a relaxed itinerary, opt for romantic dinners and cosy campfires to cap off your days on the island. While famous for white sand beaches and dense forests, Kangaroo Island highlights its intimate destinations during the winter, suitable for solo travellers or couples renting an economy or compact car. |
Flying into Kangaroo Island Airport?
Kangaroo Island (KGC) is 52 km west of Penneshaw or a 40-minute drive via Hog Bay Road, with three rental brands on-airport. Compare airport rental prices before you lock in your hire car.
Car rental depots in Kangaroo Island
You can collect your rental car at the Penneshaw Ferry Terminal. The Budget Rent a Car desk is inside the terminal, while Hertz and Thrifty Car Rental share a desk on the corner of Thomas Willson Street and North Terrace, a short walk from the terminal. On the mainland, the closest car rental depot is in Adelaide — confirm if your provider allows their rental vehicles on ferries. Business hours vary per depot. Budget Rent a Car doesn’t accept after-hours returns.
Budget Car Rental Kangaroo Island Ferry
5.0 (1)Kangaroo Island Ferry Terminal (Remote)
Mon–Sun 08:00–19:00
Hertz Penneshaw Downtown
4.8 (1)Cnr Thomas Wilson St/nth Tce
Mon–Sun 09:00–17:00
Thrifty Car Rental Penneshaw Downtown
4.1 (2)Cnr Thomas Wilson/nth Terrace
Mon–Sun 09:00–17:00
Local expert tips when renting a car in Kangaroo Island
Behind the wheel itself? Our Kangaroo Island driving tips cover road rules, parking and local quirks
Fuel stations in Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island has petrol stations open for 24 hours in Kingscote and Penneshaw, all a few minutes’ drive from the car rental depots in Penneshaw. Petrol is also sold at Parndana, American River, and Vivonne Bay. Take note of the petrol stations along your route and ensure that your rental car is fuelled up to the required level before returning.
Stay on sealed roads
Certain attractions in Kangaroo Island, including the Cape Willoughby Lighthouse and Pennington Bay, have unsealed roads, which are typically off-limits to rental cars. Avoid dirt roads while on the island, otherwise the rental provider may subject you to damage charges.
Beware of wildlife
Some rental providers may bar driving on the island between dusk and dawn as wild animals including kangaroos and wallabies — even feral goats and pigs — may start appearing once it’s dark out. For your safety and theirs, keep off the road at night and always give way to animals when you see them while driving on the island.
Hiring from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island
Adelaide is the closest place to rent a car when travelling to Kangaroo Island — about 118 km away from the ferry terminal via Main South Road. Rental providers may permit their hire cars to be taken across the sea via SeaLink with prior approval. When taking the rental car on the ferry is prohibited, you may hire a car in Adelaide for your mainland trip and book a different vehicle for Kangaroo Island.
Electric vehicles
Hiring an electric vehicle in Kangaroo Island? Keep in mind that renting an EV means you must return the vehicle charged to the level the rental provider has set. There are several opportunities to recharge your vehicle on the island, with charging stations installed in Kingscote, Penneshaw, American River, Cygnet River, and Seddon.
When to visit Kangaroo Island
When visiting Kangaroo Island, aim for travel dates during the summer months between December and February. In summer, average temperatures fall between 14 °C (57 °F) and 24 °C (75 °F) — comfortable enough for easy hikes, and cool enough for relaxing beach days. Consider reserving your hire car at least a week before your trip; booking in advance means you increase your chances of getting your preferred vehicle.
Also need a campervan or a ute?
Campervan hire in Adelaide
Compare Apollo, Britz, Jucy and more. Deposit or upfront payment applies to campervans.
Compare campervans →
Ute, van & truck hire in Adelaide
Moving or hauling? Compare commercial vehicles — pay at pickup.
Compare commercials →Kangaroo Island car hire FAQs
How much does it cost to hire a car in Kangaroo Island?
For a 3-day rental with pickup between 3 and 9 November 2026, prices range from AUD $163 per day for a Compact SUV to AUD $176 per day for an Intermediate SUV. Enter your planned dates to compare live rental rates for your vehicle in Kangaroo Island.
What is the cheapest car rental in Kangaroo Island?
The cheapest car rental in Kangaroo Island is a Compact SUV from AUD $163 per day, for a 3-day rental with pickup between 3 and 9 November 2026. Enter your travel dates in the search form and compare live rates from Australia’s most respected rental car providers.
What is the best car rental company in Kangaroo Island?
Budget is our highest-rated car hire provider in Kangaroo Island, scoring an average rating of 5 out of 5 based on actual bookings by our customers.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Kangaroo Island?
Budget is the cheapest car rental company in Kangaroo Island, with rates from AUD $163 per day, for a 3-day rental with pickup between 3 and 9 November 2026. Enter your travel dates in the search form and compare live rates from Australia’s most respected rental car providers.
Should I take my car on the ferry or hire one on Kangaroo Island?
Hiring a car on Kangaroo Island is recommended as some providers may prohibit travelling to the island with their rental car on a ferry. For car rentals from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island, most rental providers encourage creating two separate bookings for each location, meaning your Kangaroo Island car hire is scheduled for pickup at depots in or near the ferry terminal.
Do I need a car on Kangaroo Island?
Yes, Kangaroo Island is worth exploring with a hire car. While some white sand beaches are a short walk from the terminal, famous destinations on the island are spread across hundreds of kilometres of roads — some unfriendly to on-foot travellers.
Have a question we haven’t answered?
Why book your Kangaroo Island car hire with VroomVroomVroom?
3/5 · Rajendra D. · Aug 2026
Good
Booked: Kia Rio or similar
Hoppers Crossing
5/5 · Karl M. · Aug 2026
Always the easiest booking system
Booked: Ford Ranger Wildtrak or similar
Launceston Airport
5/5 · Patrisha O. · Aug 2026
Found a cra rental where I couldnt anywhere else
Booked: Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid or similar
Perth Airport
5/5 · Andrew B. · Aug 2026
Very easy to book online
Booked: Compact SUV
Townsville Airport
5/5 · JOHN G. · Jul 2026
Pretty simple, straightforward... easy!
Booked: Standard SUV
Launceston Airport
5/5 · Anders C. · Jul 2026
good
Booked: Mazda Cx3 or similar
Melbourne Albert Park
5/5 · Penelope T. · Jul 2026
Always use vroom etc. great company.
Booked: Suzuki Swift or similar
Brisbane Airport
5/5 · JAMIE J. · Aug 2026
Easy to navigate and some of the best pricing for hire cars
Booked: Mazda CX5 or similar
Darwin Airport
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