Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action Double Kayak Hire

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Take a stable double kayak up the Harriet River behind Vivonne Bay for up to three hours, at your own pace. It is calm, sheltered water, with bream jumping, plenty of birds and the chance of a koala in the gums, and the crew carry the kayaks to the river and help you launch.

Days

Up to 3 hours

Age

Children from 2 in a double kayak

Group size

Self-paddled hire, two adults and a small child per kayak

Start / finish

188 Jetty Road, Vivonne Bay / Harriet River / Vivonne Bay

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Double sit-on-top kayak; make your own way to Vivonne Bay

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action Double Kayak Hire

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Included experiences

Harriet River — paddle up to 5 km of calm, sheltered water
Riverbanks — watch for koalas in the gum trees
River mouth — launch with a view of the river meeting the ocean
Paddling lesson — learn to steer, stop and recover from a capsize

Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action Double Kayak Hire

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

GEAR UP ON JETTY ROAD

Your hire starts at the base at 188 Jetty Road, Vivonne Bay, on Kangaroo Island's south coast. You collect lifejackets, paddles and backrests, and the crew take the kayaks down to the launch site on the Harriet River. It's a lovely spot to start: you can see the river running out to meet the Southern Ocean at Vivonne Bay, whose beach was named the best in Australia in 2004.

A QUICK LESSON AND LAUNCH

If you haven't paddled before, a guide covers the basics on the bank: how to spot hazards, get in safely, paddle forwards and backwards, turn and stop, and what to do if you tip over. The double kayaks are sit-on-top models with a wide hull, so they're steady and forgiving, with room for two adults and a small child at the front. The crew help you launch, and from there the river is yours.

UP THE HARRIET RIVER

The Harriet is calm and sheltered, with little current or swell, and you can paddle up to about five kilometres upstream, turning back whenever you like. Take it slowly. Bream jump from the water as you pass, and the river is busy with birds: watch for herons stalking the edges and cormorants drying their wings on snags. Look up into the gums too, because koalas sometimes sit in the trees along the banks. They were brought to Kangaroo Island in the 1920s and have done well ever since. Much of the bush here burned in the 2019 and 2020 fires, and the green regrowth along the river shows how fast it is coming back.

BACK TO THE LAUNCH

Drift back downstream at your own pace. You have up to three hours on the water before the kayaks are due back at the launch site, plenty of time for a long, lazy paddle or a stop to simply sit and listen.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action, 188 Jetty Road, Vivonne Bay, where you collect your gear. There is no transport to the base. Vivonne Bay is about 90 minutes' drive from the Penneshaw ferry, and the island has no taxis or rideshare, so hire a car or book a door-to-door transfer.
Departure time: Hire runs through the day from 9am, with later starts in daylight saving months. Your time is confirmed when you book.
Duration: Up to 3 hours on the water.
Minimum age: Children from 2 can sit at the front of a double kayak with an adult.
Suits: Couples and families, including first-time paddlers. One double kayak seats up to two adults and a small child.

What to bring

Water bottle
Hat
Sunscreen
Sunglasses

What is included

Double sit-on-top kayak for up to 3 hours
Lifejackets, paddles and backrests
Kayaks taken to the river and help to launch
Short paddling and safety lesson

Not included

A guide on the water (this is a self-paddled hire)
Transport to Vivonne Bay

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

We hired two kayaks for two hours and had the best time. Life jackets and a quick refresher were included, the gear was in great condition, and we paddled up and down the river and explored the beach.

Bethany Cawood Verified· Travelled 8th January 2026

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