American River: A complete travel guide to visiting Kangaroo Island

Surrounded by bushland and boasting spectacular coastal views stretching to mainland Australia, American River should be on your must-do list.

Welcome to Don’t Delay Your Stay, news.com.au’s campaign to support communities hard hit by this summer’s devastating bushfires. Many of these regions rely on tourism so one of the best ways to help is to visit and spend time in some of the most beautiful parts of our great country.

Surrounded by bushland and with spectacular coastal views stretching to mainland Australia, American River is a Kangaroo Island town where you can spend you days eating local seafood, swimming, fishing and wildlife watching.

At the Oyster Farm Shop you can grab some oysters, marron, abalone and King George whiting and head across the road to the jetty where you can dangle your legs over the edge and tuck into oysters farmed a mere 200 metres away.

The Oyster Farm Shop on Kangaroo Island. Picture: Josie Withers

Once you’ve had your fill, head to the sandy shores of Island Beach to soak up the sun or explore the protected wetlands of the nearby Pelican Lagoon.

At the end of the day, kick back at your very own luxury Oceanview Eco Villa, atop Nepean Bay, or at Island Beach Lodge, where you’ll have wraparound views of the island’s world-famous beaches – from American River to Rocky Point.

At the Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge, enjoy a dinner at Reflections Restaurant where you’ll find a menu packed with local produce that changes with the seasons, and is complimented by a wide range of regional wines, beers and spirits.

American River on Kangaroo Island. Picture: Julie Fletcher

Located right on the wharf is The Deck Cafe, serving locally caught King George Whiting or sit back with a coffee or local beer or wine and watch the boats and birdlife go by.

While you’re there, make sure you pay a visit next door to the Rebuild Independence Group, an organisation who are rebuilding the Schooner Independence, the first vessel built in South Australia.