This was published 6 years ago
Qantas to fly to Kangaroo Island, South Australia from Melbourne and Adelaide
Kangaroo Island is about to get a boost in tourist numbers with the announcement of direct flights from Adelaide and Melbourne by Qantas.
About 20,000 people a year are expected to take advantage of the new service starting in December with the airline's regional arm QantasLink.
South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill says the move will be a tourism boost for the island, creating more jobs and economic growth for the state.
"Kangaroo Island is already one of the state's most popular destinations and now thousands more people from SA, interstate and overseas will get to experience one of our great natural wonders," Mr Weatherill said in a statement on Monday.
"The Island is world-renowned for its premium food and wine and is the ultimate taste of Australia for visitors with its abundant wildlife."
QantasLink will run three flight to Adelaide each week, increasing that to five a week in the peak summer tourist season.
The Melbourne flights will run three times each week, but only in the peak summer season.
QantasLink chief executive John Gissing said the company's new routes will make Kangaroo Island more accessible.
The announcement comes during the second day of the SA government's country cabinet meeting on the island.
Mr Weatherill and his ministers on Sunday received a presentation by the island's council and attended a public forum, and will attend a community lunch on Monday.
The community cabinet meeting follows similar events held recently in the state's mid-north and in SA's indigenous lands.
AAP
See also: Australia's strangest, most beautiful island
See also: The only Australian hotel to make the world's top 100 list
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