The new Flinders Chase National Park Visitor Centre has opened at Karatta on Kangaroo Island's west coast, replacing the Rocky River centre that was destroyed in the 2019/20 bushfires.

The new $19.5 million complex will act as a gateway for tourists, holidaymakers and locals alike, as they explore and enjoy some of Kangaroo Island’s most popular attractions including Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch.

Run by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the ecologically sustainable, fire-resistant facility includes a café and souvenir shop.

Interactive displays (pictured right) will also allow visitors to learn about the geologically significant area, including its plants and animals, landscapes, rock formations and bushwalking trails.

The visitor centre complements other recent infrastructure upgrades on Kangaroo Island as it rebuilds after the devastating 2019/2020 bushfires, including a $2.3 million enhancement of the Kelly Hill Caves and Kelly Hill Conservation Park (pictured below left).

The fires were the largest in the island’s recorded history, with 38 per cent of the island burnt. To reduce the risk of possible fires affecting the new visitor centre, it has been built on a previously developed site closer to the park's entrance with frames made from bushfire-resistant Australian timbers.

Thanks to its natural environment, untamed wilderness and abundance of animals, Kangaroo Island is the most-visited destination in South Australia for international tourists and its tourism industry contributed $219 million in the year to March 2024. It was named the second must-visit destination in Lonely Planet's global 2024 Top Regions Hotlist.

Other recently completed projects, as part of the state government’s $52 million investment include:

• $4.2m upgrade to the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail
• $2m to construct a new boardwalk at Remarkable Rocks
• $0.95m to rebuild May’s Homestead and Postman’s Cottage.

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.

Planning on visiting? If so, National Parks and Wildlife Service has some handy guides to help: Visiting Flinders Chase National Park and Welcome to the new Flinders Chase National Park Visitor Centre.