New jewel ready for adventure seekers
After nabbing the only Australian spot on Lonely Planet’s 2024 must-visit list, South Australia is celebrating another tourism win with an epic new adventure draw that takes travellers through the splendid vistas of a regional national park.
Thrill seekers can now take on a new 38km mountain bike trail at Mount Remarkable National Park, traversing the western flank of the mountain in the Flinders Rangers.
The international-standard trail, built for $1.8m near Melrose, about 270km north of Adelaide, includes 1500m of climbing elevation and a near continuous 6km descent that links the trail to the ground level of the nearby Willowie Forest mountain bike trails.
Riders will take in views of Black Range as they travel the western side of the trail before looping back toward Melrose beneath the Gibraltar Rock formations.
Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said the “world-class” trail would showcase local Aboriginal culture.
South Australian Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said the trail would help businesses leverage tourism opportunities in the region.
“The Epic Mountain Bike Trail provides South Australia with yet another destination that will help attract more visitors to the regions which is good for jobs and for local regional economies,” she said.
The tourism draw has opened just days after Lonely Planet named Kangaroo Island a must-visit destination for 2024, the only Australian destination to make the cut.
The travel gurus said there was an “otherworldliness” to Kangaroo Island that “dazzles, bewilders and intoxicates”.
“A mere 40-minute flight from Adelaide, Australia’s third-largest island is surprisingly isolated,” Lonely Planet stated in its introduction to the island.
“Deceptively vast with a ridiculous amount of stunning coastline, Kangaroo Island invites guests to indulge in its unique local produce, encounter adorable wildlife and discover some of the country’s best beaches.”
In taking out second place, Kangaroo Island tops globally renowned destinations such as Tuscany in Italy, which came in third.
“We know Kangaroo Island is one of the best destinations in the world and now it’s official,” Ms Bettison said.
“With new major attractions on their way such as the rebirth of Southern Ocean Lodge and The Cliffs Kangaroo Island golf course, it is the perfect time for the region to get this global recognition and for visitors worldwide to start planning their trip.”