Hollywood superstar Chris Hemsworth goes swimming with locals on Kangaroo Island — see video

HOLLYWOOD superstar Chris Hemsworth has spent some quality family time on KI meeting the locals — swimming with dolphins, cuddling koalas and checking out sea lions — as part of the Tourism Australia Crocodile Dundee project.

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HOLLYWOOD superstar Chris Hemsworth has spent some quality family time on Kangaroo Island meeting the locals — swimming with dolphins, cuddling koalas and checking out sea lions.

Images of Hemsworth on KI being shared on his social media accounts are pure gold for the tourism industry as the star of the Tourism Australia’s cheeky Crocodile Dundee reboot project gives his army of fans a taste of life in South Australia.

The star of Thor has 14 million followers on his Instagram account where he posted a video of himself swimming with dolphins, grinning broadly underwater as the dolphins gracefully circled him in clear waters.

He posted with his video: “chrishemsworthHanging with the locals at Kangaroo Island, cheers to @kimarineadventures for dropping me in the thick of it! #kangarooisland @australia @southaustralia”

Chris Hemsworth cuddling a koala on Kangaroo Island. Picture: Instagram

Tourism Australia says the exposure he has given Australia as a tourism ambassador of more than 5000 media articles with a reach of 16 billion is worth more than $170 million in equivalent advertising.

That does not include his current visit to South Australia with wife Elsa Pataky and their children, India Rose, 5, and three-year-old twin boys Tristan and Sasha, to showcase places that feature in the Dundee campaign.

After his visit to the Barossa Valley with his family, Hemsworth has spent time on KI which included:

FISHING with Kangaroo Island Fishing Adventures to catch dinner, which he cooked on a beach barbecue;

VISITING the sea lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park, home of the third largest colony of sea lions in Australia;

CUDDLING koalas at Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park;

SWIMMING with dolphins with Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures;

CHECKING out the gin distillery at Kangaroo Island Spirits;

DINING on Kangaroo Island oysters, octopus and lamb and kingfish from Port Lincoln in South Australia at Sunset Food and Wine.

Chris Hemsworth enjoying Kangaroo Island‘s clear blue water. Picture: Instagram

Clearly thrilled with the experiences, Hemsworth paid tribute to the island life.

“Australia has some of the most diverse, vibrant and pristine coastlines in the world,” he said.

“The quality of life here is second to none, and the ability to easily find uncrowded beautiful beaches is incredible — plus we have some of the most unique marine wildlife.”

The actor who had his first break on Home and Away and has appeared in movie franchises including The Avengers and Star Trek posted with his photo cuddling a koala: “chrishemsworthKoalas, snakes, sea lions, dolphins, check out #kangarooisland, another amazing place to visit in @australia @sealbay @kiwildlifepark @southaustralia”

Federal Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Steven Ciobo said Chris Hemsworth continued to do Australia proud as its global tourism ambassador.

“It’s great to see Tourism Australia’s global ambassador checking out one of the iconic locations featured in the newly launched Dundee campaign,” he said.

“All the Australian famils (familiarisations) he’s done so far have generated enormous global exposure for the destination, and I’m sure this will be the case with this latest visit to South Australia’s Kangaroo Island.

“The exposure he creates for a region drives tourists which helps create new local jobs.

“Our ambassadors play a vital role in promoting the incredible experiences Australia has to offer to their fans and followers around the world, and this has certainly been reflected in the amazing response we’ve received to our latest campaign which of course features so many of our home grown stars.”

Chris Hemsworth gets friendly with a snake on Kangaroo Island. Picture: Instagram

SA Tourism Minister Leon Bignell said it had been a pleasure to host the Hemsworth family on KI.

“We know he and his family enjoyed the food and natural beauty that makes our beautiful island famous around the world. This is the real Australia,” he said.

“Chris’s Dundee campaign by Tourism Australia has taken the world by storm, showing off the authentic Australian spirit, along with our stunning landscapes and one of a kind tourism experiences.

“Chris Hemsworth has a strong following around the globe and his experiences in South Australia are sure to inspire others to visit, to take in our premium wineries, world class produce, award-winning restaurants, pristine beaches, nature and wildlife experiences, as well as adventure and outback — all in the one State.”