Private sector invited to invest in KI Wilderness Trail

News article | 01 February 2017

The State Government is inviting proposals from private sector investors interested in building and operating eco-sensitive accommodation facilities for walkers on the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail.

The five day, four night trail which crosses some of the most rugged, remote and spectacular coastlines in South Australia, opened last October.

A prospectus inviting expressions of interest and proposals from private sector investors interested in providing accommodation facilities in the Flinders Chase National Park and/or Kelly Hill Conservation Park is available at: www.parks.sa.gov.au/investinkiwt.

Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources CE Sandy Pitcher said more than 800 hikers have booked to walk the 61 kilometre trail so far, with 240 of those undertaking the walk last year.

“The response to the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail has been overwhelming,” Ms Pitcher said. “Those that have experienced it say it is truly world-class.

“With leading international travel authority, Lonely Planet, listing the trail as one of the world’s top new travel destinations in 2017, we expect the trail’s profile will continue to grow – resulting in more trail bookings and more visitors to Kangaroo Island.

“From 2020 we anticipate that up to 5,000 people will register to walk the trail each year.

“To ensure the trail is an outstanding destination, the State Government is inviting private developers to submit proposals to develop eco-sensitive accommodation facilities for trail users.

“This will complement the existing campsites available to people who are happy to carry their own tents and camping gear.

“The government is keen to work with the private sector to create new accommodation and tourism opportunities along the trail.

“These opportunities will provide an economic stimulus for Kangaroo Island contributing to regional prosperity in the shape of new jobs and visitor dollars.

“The island’s tourism industry is worth around $54 million a year and employs 560 people. The trail is expected to boost that by around $4.4 million a year by 2020, providing up to 30 ongoing jobs on the island.”

The creation of outstanding walking journeys across the South Australian landscape is a key pillar of the State Government’s nature-based tourism strategy: Nature Like Nowhere Else.

The Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail is spearheading the commitment to grow the visitor economy.