The Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail and Kelly Hill Conservation Park reopened this week after infrastructure within the parks was destroyed in the 2019-20 bushfires.

Saturday 15 December’s reopening follows a $4.2 million upgrade to the trail and a $2.3 million project to enhance the Conservation Park.

The trail is a world-class, 61km, 5‑day walking experience giving visitors access to some of the most rugged, remote and spectacular coastlines in South Australia.

Located in the southwest of Kangaroo Island, it passes through Flinders Chase National Park, Kelly Hill Conservation Park and the Cape Bouguer Wilderness Protection Area

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.

Kelly Hill Conservation Park is known for its limestone cave system, an amazing reflection of the islands’ geology.

A new visitor experience at Kelly Hill includes an audio-visual tour of the caves, with new lighting to showcase the ornate stalagmites and stalactites. 

Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the caves, above-ground self-guided tours, walks and picnic facilities.

Environment Minister Susan Close says Kangaroo Island’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.

“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’s tourism industry contributes about $187 million each year to the regional economy, employing about 1500 people directly or indirectly.

Lonely Planet and the New York Times have both named Kangaroo Island on their lists of the world’s top destinations to visit.

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

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

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