KI’s tourism drawcards continue to rise better than ever after catastrophic 2019-20 bushfires

Devastating bushfires left much of Kangaroo Island a scorched wasteland but its tourism drawcards continue to regenerate with two major areas reopening this weekend.

Kangaroo Island’s phoenix-like return from the ashes of the catastrophic 2019-20 bushfires continues with the reopening of the Kelly Hill Conservation Park and the KI Wilderness Trail this weekend.

The huge boost for the lucrative tourism industry follows the reopening of the luxurious Southern Ocean Lodge this month.

The 2019-20 bushfires burnt 211,474ha of land – almost half of the island – and destroyed much of the infrastructure at Flinders Chase National Park and Kelly Hill Conservation Park.

However, the island’s return as a jewel in SA’s tourism suite includes this year being named by the influential New York Times and Lonely Planet on their lists of the world’s top destinations to visit.

Tourism Australia this year named KI’s Stokes Bay as the nation’s top beach, in a country with 11,671 beaches.

KI Wilderness Trail has received a $4.2m upgrade while the conservation park with its cave system has had a $2.3m boost.

The trail is a world-class, 61km, five‑day walking experience giving visitors access to

some of the most rugged, remote and spectacular coastlines in South Australia as it passes through Flinders Chase National Park, Kelly Hill Conservation Park and The Cape Bouguer Wilderness Protection Area.

Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail.

Four campsites along the trail have reopened, each with a slow-combustion fire, extra protection from the elements, solar lighting and a cooking area. Walker

numbers are limited each day and bookings are essential, see www.parks.sa.gov.au/experiences/kiwt

Kelly Hill Conservation Park, known for its limestone cave system, has a new visitor experience including an audiovisual tour of the caves and new lighting to showcase the ornate stalagmites and stalactites.

Visitors can enjoy guided cave tours, above-ground self-guided tours, walks and picnic facilities, see www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/kelly-hill-conservation-park to book cave tours.

Kelly Hill Caves.

KI’s tourism industry contributes about $187m each year to the regional economy, employing about 1500 people.

Meanwhile, construction of the $19.5m new Flinders Chase Visitor Centre is progressing ahead of its opening in 2024.

It will have immersive displays of the island’s stories, national park visitor information and a cafe and retail space in an ecologically sustainable building.

Environment Minister Susan Close said KI’s remote landscapes and abundant wildlife make it one of the best nature-based tourism destinations in the world.

“The reopening of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail and Kelly Hill Conservation

Park means more people will be able to experience the beauty of the island and learn about its ecology and geology,” she said.

“The recovery from the devastating 2019-20 bushfires is ongoing and the state government is committed to rebuilding infrastructure in a way that is sensitive to Kangaroo Island’s unique environment.”

Kangaroo Island Tourism and Commercial Services Manager Alana Binns said: “These two attractions are an important part of the tourism offering on Kangaroo Island and the school holidays are the perfect time to explore the island’s pristine environment and wildlife.”