<iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5L9VKK" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe> Flinders Chase National Park and Ravine Des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area About Flinders Chase National Park is a must for any Kangaroo Island parks adventure. This vast area of wilderness features the iconic Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch and a long-nosed fur seal colony. Sitting high on ancient rocky platforms above the sea, Remarkable Rocks’ surreal shapes and golden orange colours provide extraordinary photo opportunities. Admirals Arch at Cape du Couedic is not only an impressive rock arch, weather worn over thousands of years, it’s also home to a colony of long-nosed fur seals. Flinders Chase National Park is recovering naturally following the 2019-20 summer bushfires, which burnt 96 per cent of the park (and the Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area). Bushfires have played an integral part in shaping the ecology of the Australian landscape for millions of years. Many native plant species are adapted to survive, regenerate and thrive after fire and much of the park is regaining its green cloak of coastal health, mallee woodland and eucalypt forest. Goannas, koalas, eagles, kangaroos and echidnas are regularly spotted in the park. Visitors can be part of the bushfire recovery journey by driving re-opened roads, including Cape du Couedic Road (and the wavy section which has become one of the most insta-famous roads in South Australia), visiting Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch and Weirs Cove and camping at West Bay and Harvey’s Return. A selection of shorter trails have re-opened, including the Ravine des Casoars and Cape du Couedic hikes and the more challenging Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. Must-have rebuild works are being fast-tracked in Flinders Chase National Park. While they’re underway, you’ll find temporary facilities such as portable toilets at Rocky River. Entry fees apply (https://parkskangarooisland.rezdy.com/444519/flinders-chase-national-park-day-entry). There is a 24-hour wifi payment hotspot at Rocky River, 5 km inside the park entrance, but given the remote location the connection can be slow and it's best to pay day entry before you go (https://parkskangarooisland.rezdy.com/444519/flinders-chase-national-park-day-entry). NPWS staff are in the park daily from 9am to 5pm. Take care driving at all times and particularly at dawn and dusk, pack enough water and snacks for your visit, and leave no trace. This will give our bushland the best chance of recovery. The park has limited toilets, there is no food or drink available for purchase throughout the park. Vivonne Bay General Store is the closest supplier of food, drinks and fuel and the Western KI Caravan Park sells basic food, drinks and ice cream. Pets, including dogs, are not permitted in the park. Download the park map. Download the National Parks of Kangaroo Island Visitor Guide: May 2021 (https://cdn.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/docs/baudin-conservation-park/NPWSSA-Parks-Of-KI-Summary-Booklet- May-2021.pdf). Opening hours Open daily. Customer service staff are in the park between 9am and 5pm at Rocky River. There is a 24-hour wifi payment hotspot at Rocky River, 5 km inside the park entrance. Because of the remote location the connection can be slow and it's best to pay for day entry before you go (https://environmentsa.rezdy.com/406265/flinders-chase-national-park-day-entry). Contact details Visitor information, bookings and park management: National Parks Wildlife Service South Australia Kangaroo Island office (office hours) Phone: (+61 8) 8553 4444 Email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) Emergency contacts: Medical, fire (including bushfire) and police emergency situations Phone: Triple Zero - 000 Police Assistance Phone: 131 444 for non-urgent police assistance National Parks and Wildlife Service SA – After-hours duty officer Phone: 0477 334 898 Injured wildlife: Within the park Please contact National Parks Wildlife Service South Australia Kangaroo Island office on (08) 8553 4444 or the after- hours duty officer on 0477 334 898. Outside of the park Please contact a local wildlife rescue group. Marine mammals If you find a sick or stranded marine mammal (including whales, seals, sea lions and dolphins), please contact National Parks Wildlife Service South Australia Kangaroo Island office on (08) 8553 4444 or the after-hours duty officer on 0477 334 898. When to visit You can visit Flinders Chase all year round. The mood of the park changes with the seasons. In winter, you’ll see the rivers and creeks flowing, diverse colours and shapes of fungi, and orchids begin to bloom. Spring brings prolific wildflowers, the frogs call and the birds and animals are breeding. Spring and summer are a wonderful time for camping, picnicing and exploring the many walking trails throughout the park. Summer is a busy time with mostly mild weather perfect for beach going. More information on planning a trip in South Australia (https://southaustralia.com/plan-a-trip/weather-and-alerts) and on local weather (http://www.bom.gov.au/sa/forecasts/kangaroo-island.shtml). Getting there Flinders Chase National Park is located 110km west of Kingscote, on Kangaroo Island. Follow the Playford and West End Highways or the South Coast Road. (https://cdn.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/docs/flinders-chase-national- park/Flinders_Chase_NP_Ravine_des_Casoars_WPA_April_2021.pdf) Park map (https://cdn.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/docs/flinders-chase-national- park/Flinders_Chase_NP_Ravine_des_Casoars_WPA_April_2021.pdf) You can get to Kangaroo Island from mainland South Australia on the SeaLink (https://www.sealink.com.au/) or KI Connect (https://kic.com.au/book-now/) ferries or by flying Qantas (https://www.qantas.com/au/en.html) or Rex (https://www.rex.com.au/). Accessibility Toilets Accessible toilets are located at Rocky River and Cape du Couedic. Admirals Arch Unfortunately reaching the arch can be tricky – while there’s a purpose-built boardwalk to get there, it’s steep with steps at the end that take you to see the arch itself. If you can’t make it down to the arch, the scenery along the way is still well worth a journey along the boardwalk. There are several places where seats are provided to rest and enjoy the view. From the lookouts at the car park and boardwalk there are spectacular views of Casuarina islets, seal colonies, the Cape du Couedic Lighthouse and the very dramatic coastline. Remarkable Rocks Unfortunately the boardwalk to Remarkable Rocks was destroyed in the summer 2019/2020 bushfires. While work to rebuild the park is ongoing, there is a temporary compacted path from the carpark to Remarkable Rocks. The path is narrow and can be busy at peak visitation times. Share your parks experience Parks are for all to enjoy, we would love to hear from you about your experience in nature. You can share your comments, pictures and videos with us and others by tagging @NationalParksSA and #AccessNPSA on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/NPWSSA/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/nationalparkssa/) or email (https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/contact-us/get-in-touch-online) us. Dogs not allowed Pets are not permitted in this park. Discover which parks you can walk your dog in on our find a park (https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/find-a- park#/list/) tool or read 17 dog-friendly walks in Adelaide Parks (http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/goodliving/posts/2017/12/dogs-part-2) by Good Living for inspiration. Assistance dogs Assistance dogs are permitted in most public places and are therefore welcome in South Australia’s parks and reserves. Assistance dogs must be appropriately restrained on a lead and remain under your effective control at all times while in a park or reserve. As per the dogs in parks and reserves policy, if the dog is not an accredited assistance dog, they must be trained to assist a person with a disability to alleviate that disability and meet standards of hygiene and behaviour appropriate for a dog in a public place. However, refusal may be given if the person with the disability is unable to produce evidence the dog is an assistance dog with the appropriate training. Before taking your assistance dog into a park that does not normally allow dogs, it is highly recommended that you contact us so we can provide you with the latest information on any potential hazards within specific parks that may affect your dog. Please contact the park via the contact details provided under the contact tab or contact the visitor service centre via email (https://admin.environment.sa.gov.au/$5d334bfd-e60f-405d-9957-4d69b87c65ba$/contact- us/get-in-touch-online) or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/NPWSSA), or you can live chat with a customer service representative on the website Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Facilities Much of the park infrastructure was destroyed in the summer 2019/2020 bushfires including the visitor centre, heritage cottages, campgrounds, toilets, walking trails and picnic areas. While work to rebuild the park is ongoing, there is a temporary visitor information office at Rocky River, 5km inside the park entrance, portable toilets at Rocky River and some temporary compacted trails throughout the park. Bins are not provided within the park. Remember to leave no trace and take your rubbish with you. Generators are not permitted in the park. Wood fires and solid fuel fires are prohibited throughout the year. Gas fires are permitted, other than on days of total fire ban. Mobile phone coverage Telstra is the only phone carrier which provides coverage, however it can be patchy and unreliable, especially if you are in low-lying areas.