Cape Jervis Ferries

Sorry, there is currently no available ferries on this route.

Cape Jervis sits approximately 108km south of Adelaide, making it easily accessible by car in about 1.5-2 hours via Main South Road and Cape Jervis Road. Regular coach services connect Adelaide to Cape Jervis, typically timed to meet ferry departures. If you're traveling from Victor Harbor, the scenic coastal drive takes roughly 45 minutes. For those arriving by car, the ferry terminal offers both short and long-term parking options, though spaces can fill quickly during peak season. Public transport connections are limited, so plan accordingly if not driving.

Perched on the southwestern tip of South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula, Cape Jervis serves as the vital maritime link to Kangaroo Island. This charming coastal town offers stunning views across Backstairs Passage, with dramatic cliffs and the iconic lighthouse standing sentinel over the waters. Beyond being a ferry departure point, Cape Jervis rewards visitors with pristine beaches, coastal walking trails, and the raw beauty of South Australia's untamed shoreline.

Cape Jervis enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. The most pleasant months to visit are March to May and September to November, when temperatures are moderate and the countryside displays vibrant colors. Summer (December-February) offers ideal beach weather, though ferry crossings can book out well in advance during the January holiday period. Winter brings occasional dramatic storms that showcase the power of the Southern Ocean, while also offering better chances to spot migrating whales from the coastline. Ferry services operate year-round, with more frequent sailings during summer tourist season.

Kangaroo Island stands as the premier destination from Cape Jervis, with the ferry crossing Backstairs Passage in approximately 45 minutes. This natural wonderland offers remarkable wildlife encounters, stunning coastal formations like Remarkable Rocks, and pristine beaches at Vivonne Bay. For the adventurous, seasonal ferry connections to Granite Island near Victor Harbor provide access to the island's penguin colony and scenic walking trails. Deep Creek Conservation Park, while technically accessible by road from Cape Jervis, feels like an island escape with its secluded beaches and native bushland. The ferry journey itself offers spectacular views of the rugged Fleurieu Peninsula coastline.

While many travelers pass through en route to Kangaroo Island, Cape Jervis offers worthy attractions in its own right. Hike a section of the epic Heysen Trail, which officially begins at the Cape Jervis lighthouse and stretches 1,200km north through South Australia. Fishing enthusiasts flock to the town's jetty and rocky shores for the chance to catch King George whiting, squid, and salmon. Don't miss sampling the region's renowned seafood at the local tavern, where the catch of the day comes fresh from local waters. The nearby Deep Creek Conservation Park offers spectacular bushwalking with panoramic ocean views and opportunities to spot kangaroos, echidnas and an array of birdlife.

Cape Jervis was named in 1802 by explorer Matthew Flinders after John Jervis, Earl of St Vincent, who was the First Lord of the Admiralty. The waters of Backstairs Passage between Cape Jervis and Kangaroo Island are home to a resident pod of dolphins that often escort the ferry across. The Cape Jervis Lighthouse, built in 1972, is one of the few lighthouses in Australia to use solar power. During certain times of year, Cape Jervis offers one of the best land-based whale watching spots in South Australia, with southern right whales and humpbacks passing by during their migration.