New $19.5m Flinders Chase National Park visitor centre on Kangaroo Island officially opened after fire destroyed old one
A painstakingly designed, stunning new $20m visitor centre at one of SA’s most iconic tourism sites has been opened – here’s why it’s so different.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The scars of the 2020 Kangaroo Island bushfires won’t ever entirely heal, but the opening of a new $20m visitor centre on Friday at the Flinders Chase National Park is a sign of “new beginnings’’.
KI local and National Parks commercial tourism operations manager Alana Binns said park rangers had been working in temporary accommodation, including an ATCO hut, since the bushfires destroyed the old centre in Rocky River.
“The past four years we have had highs and lows, blood sweat and tears from everybody to get to this point and it really feels like a bit of closure and a day of new beginnings,’ Ms Binns said. “For the rangers, it’s a day of celebration.’’
About 140,000 people used to visit the old centre each year and Ms Binns said she was hopeful the new facility would be equally as popular.
The new visitor centre, designed by Troppo Architects, is built on the site of the former Wilderness Retreat that burned down in the fires.
More than 90 per cent of the Flinders Chase park was destroyed in the bushfires. The new centre has been designed to be bushfire resistant.
There are water tanks that hold one million litres, with water set aside for the Country Fire Service. It has a bushfire sprinkler system, will run mainly on solar and battery power and has its own waste treatment plant.
Inside, it has gauges that open and shut windows depending on the temperature and the wind direction and even the level of carbon dioxide in the room. Airconditioning can be adjusted to save battery life.
It is made of hardwood, which is more difficult to ignite in a fire, and fuel loads will be managed to cut down on the risk of ember attacks.
Department of Environment and Water senior project manager Shawn Brown said a “lot of things compared to the last building has been taken on board and lessons learned’’.
The new building will also house the Adelaide University’s Flinders-Baudin Research Centre, which will examine the Island’s geological history as well as biodiversity and climate change.
Deputy Premier Susan Close, who opened the new visitor centre, said the research into climate change and biodiversity was crucial.
“We know fire is a feature of Kangaroo Island and with climate change we are afraid that is just going to get harder to deal with,’’ Ms Close said.
Local state MP Leon Bignell said the centre was another signal that life was returning to normal four and half years after the fires swept over the island.
“It is in a way another part of the healing process and another part of the recovery process,’’ he said.
“You can fly over here in half an hour from Adelaide, but this is remote and people really do feel that they are on their own on this western part of this magnificent island. I think this is a really important day.’’
Kangaroo Island’s tourism industry contributed $219m to the state’s economy in the year to March 2024 and was ranked the second must-visit destination in Lonely Planet’s global 2024 Top Regions Hotlist.
It comes as the island’s population is expected to grow to 6876 people by 2054 – an increase of 1792 permanent residents – sparking the need for at least 38 new homes to be built every year.
The new centre compliments other nearby upgrades, including $4.2m for to the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail, $2.3m to enhance Kelly Hill Conservation Park and Kelly Hill Caves, a $2m new boardwalk at Remarkable Rocks, and nearly $1m to rebuild May’s Homestead and Postman’s Cottage.
Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said international visitors spent $35m in Kangaroo Island in the year to March 2024.
“Tourism is a major employer on Kangaroo Island, with 35 per cent of jobs directly related to tourism,” she said.
“The Flinders Chase National Park is iconic to Kangaroo Island, with more than 100,000 people visiting the park annually.”
Opposition Leader David Speirs said it was a former Liberal Government project and marked a special new beginning for Kangaroo Island.
“The delivery of the new visitors’ centre is a true silver lining from what was a dark and tragic time for Kangaroo Island,” he said.
More Coverage
Originally published as New $19.5m Flinders Chase National Park visitor centre on Kangaroo Island officially opened after fire destroyed old one
Join the conversation
Busy expressway clears following two vehicle crash
A two-vehicle crash caused traffic chaos on the southern expressway, but has since cleared.
Read more
‘Manifest a home’: Mother nearing eviction told to find tent for sick boy
A mother and her toddler on life support have only weeks to secure a Housing Trust home or end up on the street – and have received some unusual advice from a public servant.
Read more