Kangaroo Island may be small in size, but its reputation as a premium tourism destination was elevated to a whole new level and made international headlines when Oprah Winfrey flew in on her $50 million private jet for a two-day stay in 2010.
But in January 2020 Australia’s third largest island made international headlines again, this time for devastating reasons – a bushfire was burning out of control.
A fire started on December 20, 2019 from lightning strikes on a day more than 200 bushfires were burning across the state under catastrophic conditions with Adelaide reaching 43.9 degrees. Kangaroo Island’s fire was kept somewhat under control until December 30 when further lightning sparked the start of what became the devastating inferno.
By January 2, 2020 evacuations had begun with most of the damage occurring into the next day. Fires continued to burn for weeks and it wasn’t until January 21 the fire was declared contained and on February 6 the island considered safe.
Tragically, two people were killed, 87 homes burnt, numerous businesses and farms lost, and 60,000 livestock and countless wildlife perished.
It was the island’s largest bushfire in recorded history.
Almost half the 440,000-hectare island was burnt, destroying about 96 per cent of the Flinders Chase National Park, including the visitor facilities.
Also destroyed was Baillie Lodges’ flagship accommodation, the Southern Ocean Lodge, where Oprah stayed.
The resilience of the community and landscape has shone through as the island approaches the two-year anniversary of the fire, with people now able to enjoy almost everything they could before, finding adventure with wilderness or quad bike tours, safaris to swim with the sea lions and dolphins, fishing charters, as well as enjoying the wineries, renowned gin distillery and farmgate food experiences.
However, it’s Kangaroo Island’s natural attractions that remain the star and saw pre-fire and covid annual visitor numbers of about 140,000 people, making it one of South Australia’s most popular tourism destinations. These include rock formations, pristine beaches, clifftop paths and wildlife, from koalas through to penguins and, naturally, kangaroos.
Tourist numbers are continuing to grow and there’s even been the return of celebrities, with Chris Hemsworth and Zac Efron showing their support for the island post fires.
Notably, the infamous Southern Ocean Lodge will reopen late 2022 or early 2023, with the owners partnering with filmmakers 57 Films to record the remarkable journey of the rebuild.