The Department for Environment and Water has reported that more and more people were rediscovering South Australia’s natural beauty, with visits to some national parks increasing 35 per cent over the past year.
According to the Department, 90,812 people visited the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Naracoorte Caves from 1 January to 31 December 2022, and a further 85,374 checked out the sea lions at the stunning Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island.
The Department said the increases at Naracoorte Caves follow upgrades to site amenities, including installing a new playground and accessible tourism experiences.
It said it also followed the release of the University of Adelaide research last year showing the caves were more than half a million years older than previously determined.
Site Manager for Naracoorte and Tantanoola Caves, Thomas Shortt, said it had been a fantastic past 12 months.
“We’ve been excited to welcome record numbers of visitors to the Naracoorte and Tantanoola Caves,” Thomas Shortt said.
“Visitors big and small have been loving the new AV experience at Naracoorte, which complements the existing activities very well here at the caves,” he said.
“Both sites continue to grow in popularity, and we’re excited to see what 2023 brings!”
The Department said visitor numbers had also risen 25 per cent at Tantanoola Caves, 20 per cent at Adelaide Gaol, and 11 per cent at Cleland Wildlife Park in the past 12 months.
Additionally, it said South Australia was poised to open its newest park, Nilpena Ediacara National Park, within the iconic Northern Flinders Ranges and home to the world’s best example of the Ediacaran fossil fauna.
It said the park, located on the traditional lands of the Adnyamathanha people, would open in late April and be a significant addition to the State’s national park system.
For more information on SA’s national parks, visit this PS News link.
