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New Flinders Chase National Park Visitor Centre officially opens on Kangaroo Island

New Flinders Chase National Park Visitor Centre officially opens on Kangaroo Island
July 5, 2024

The ecologically sustainable and fire resistant $19.5 million Flinders Chase National Park Visitor Centre located at Karatta on Kangaroo Island’s wild west coast has been officially opened.

The new visitor centre replaces the former Rocky River centre destroyed in the 2019/20 bushfires

The facility will be a gateway to some of Kangaroo Island’s most iconic attractions including nearby Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch.

The centre will be run by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and includes a café and souvenir shop, The stunning structure will significantly boost the island’s visitor experience and will ensure Kangaroo Island remains one of South Australia’s premier tourism destinations.

Interactive displays allow visitors to learn about the park, including the plants and animals, and the spectacular landscapes, rock formations and bushwalking trails.

 The centre compliments other recent upgrades including to nearby Kelly Hill Caves, the KI Wilderness Trail and the Remarkable Rocks Boardwalk.

To reduce the risk of possible future fires affecting the new centre, it has been built on a previously developed site closer to the park’s entrance with frames made from bushfire-resistant Australian timbers.

The design integrates technologies including solar panels, batteries, electric vehicle charging stations and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems.

Kangaroo Island’s tourism industry contributed $219 million in the year to March 2024. It was ranked the second must-visit destination in Lonely Planet’s global 2024 Top Regions Hotlist. More than 100,000 people visited Flinders Chase in 2022-23.

The Karatta site is also home to the $2 million Flinders-Baudin Research Centre, a collaborative project between the University of Adelaide and the Department for Environment and Water. The research centre has a laboratory, admin area and accommodation for nine people, and is for ecological and conservation research.

The marine content displayed in the centre was a collaboration between the Department for Environment and Water and Parks Australia.

Other recently completed projects include:

  • $4.2 million upgrade to the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail
  • $2.3 million to enhance Kelly Hill Conservation Park and Kelly Hill Caves
  • $2 million to construct a new boardwalk at Remarkable Rocks
  • $0.95 million to rebuild May’s Homestead and Postman’s Cottage

SA Deputy Premier, Susan Close said despite all the challenges caused by the bushfires, the Kangaroo Island community has rallied to help this rebuild happen and advised "this vital piece of visitor infrastructure sets a new benchmark for sustainability, including its ability to minimise energy use and filter waste and stormwater on-site.

"This will not only stimulate tourism on the island, it will also provide locals with new amenities they can enjoy with family and friends all year round."

SA Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said Kangaroo Island is a key drawcard for international visitors, with the region attracting the highest international visitor spend outside of Adelaide.

"Latest data shows international visitors spent $35 million in Kangaroo Island in the year to March 2024, contributing to the region’s total visitor expenditure of $219 million. Tourism is a major employer on Kangaroo Island, with 35% of jobs directly related to tourism," Minister Bettison said.  

"The Flinders Chase National Park is iconic to Kangaroo Island, with more than 100,000 people visiting the park annually.

"This is a vital piece of tourism infrastructure that will be utilised by international, interstate and South Australian visitors that visit this remarkable island.

"It is wonderful to see private and public infrastructure coming back bigger and better following the devastating fires."

Related Articles

28th March 2024 - New management plans approved for Kangaroo Island timber plantations following revelation of injured and dead koalas

9th January 2024 - Plans and proposed site for Art Museum of Kangaroo Island unveiled

8th December 2023 - Kangaroo Island’s Southern Ocean Lodge reopens following devastation in 2020 bushfires

1st November 2023 - Lonely Planet names Kangaroo Island as one of world’s best travel destinations

19th July 2023 - G’day Group acquires Western Kangaroo Island Caravan Park

23rd June 2023 - Ecologically sustainable Kangaroo Island visitor centre to be completed by early 2024

28th January 2023 - Tourism Australia judges Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island as the nation’s best beach

9th December 2022 - Construction commences on new Kangaroo Island golf course

28th September 2022 - Burnt heritage listed cottages in Kangaroo Island Park are restored and now reopened

14th February 2022 - $3 million upgrade for Kelly Hill Caves tourist destination on Kangaroo Island

10th February 2022 - Zoos SA announce Kangaroo Island Dunnart is persisting post bushfires

23rd December 2021 - Kangaroo Island’s accessible boardwalk at Remarkable Rocks now open

8th December 2021 - Hope renewed for conservation of critically endangered Kangaroo Island dunnart

27th October 2021 - Cape Willoughby to be latest tourist destination on Kangaroo Island

30th November 2020 - New tour experience showcases Kangaroo Island Wilderness trail recovery


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