Kangaroo Island is set for a significant boost with Qantas announcing extra flights to the iconic destination from next summer.

The increased flights between Kingscote and Adelaide will include:

• 12 return flights each week to Kangaroo Island during Summer 2023/24, with two flights on each weekday, as well as daily flights on weekends.
• 9 return flights each week to Kangaroo Island during Winter 2024, with daily flights.
• A change in outbound times from Kingscote-Adelaide - moving from a 3.05pm timeslot to a 5.00pm timeslot, following calls from the community for this change.

The state government says these additional flights will represent a significant boost for Kangaroo Island’s visitor economy at a time when iconic developments such as the Southern Ocean Lodge are nearing completion.

This week’s Country Cabinet visit saw state government representatives meeting operators to discuss topics critical to tourism, such as air and ferry access, infrastructure needs and sustainable growth plans.

More than 40 per cent of Kangaroo Island was impacted in the 2019/20 bushfires, which happened months before COVID restrictions took hold, restricting visitation for much of 2020.

Tourism on the island is worth $187 million, employing around 1500 people directly or indirectly.

About half the jobs on the island are supported by tourism.

Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison says regional tourism plays a vital role in the state’s economy. 

“We are lucky that tourism operators on the island are brilliant at what they do and help share this gem with around tens of thousands of visitors each year.

“The much-anticipated re-opening of the Southern Ocean Lodge, the Cliffs Kangaroo Island development as well as the revamped Oyster Farm Shop, will certainly add another dimension to the tourism offering in the area.

Mawson MP Leon Bignell says world-class accommodation and golf courses are a magnet for interstate and international visitors.

“The additional flights are great for tourism, but even more importantly, they help islanders stay connected with the mainland for specialist medical appointments, meetings, and sport commitments.”