An idyllic island just off the coast of South Australia has been awarded silver on Lonely Planet’s 2024 list of best regional destinations.
Kangaroo Island, also known as Karta Pintingga, was named the second best region in the world by a jury of top travel publishing experts.
Australia’s third largest island came ahead of other top islands such as Tuscany and Italy; Donegal, Ireland; and the autonomous region of Basque Country in Spain.
The index broke down the 10 countries, regions and cities worth visiting, as well as the top destinations for sustainable and budget tourism.
The holiday destination has been praised for its “otherworldly character” and endorsed by celebrities including Zac Efron. Large parts of it were destroyed by the terrible 2019-2020 bushfires in Australia.
Kangaroo Island, also known as Karta Pintingga, was named the second best regional destination in the world in 2024 by the travel magazine Lonely Planet.
The island, Australia’s third largest and only 13 km from the nearest inland coast, is known for its vibrant wildlife
Efron, 33, traveled to Kangaroo Island in March 2021 while filming his Netflix docu-series Down To Earth.
In a clip shared on Adelaide Now, he spoke fondly of the destination, saying it was a “beautiful island”.
“It’s all just amazing, it’s a beautiful island, there’s nature in abundance everywhere, nature has really recovered a lot since the fires, which were quite devastating,” he said.
“What a gem of a place, I just love it here.”
Zac Efron (pictured) raved about Kangaroo Island in South Australia after filming part of his Netflix series Down To Earth there
The “High School Musical” star swam with dolphins along the island’s coast, something all tourists can do.
Kangaroo Island can be reached in just 45 minutes by ferry from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw or 30 minutes by flight between Adelaide and Kingscote Airport.
The island is just 112 km south-west of Adelaide and 13 km from the nearest inland coast.
Tourism has slowly recovered after the horrific Black Summer bushfires wiped out around 38 percent of the island, or 211,474 hectares of land, in early 2020.
All travel to the island was halted for two years as woodland grew back and animals returned to their natural habitat.
The island was partially reduced to ash after the 2020 Black Summer wildfires, which destroyed about 38 percent of the island – about 211,474 hectares of land.
Tourism remained closed for two years after the fires while dramatic regrowth occurred and local wildlife returned to their natural habitat
Chris Zeiher, senior director of trade sales and marketing at Lonely Planet, said Kangaroo Island “offers a quintessentially Australian travel experience”.
“It is blessed with wonderful beaches, offers delicious food, wine and spirits experiences and offers a dramatic experience when it comes to outdoor adventure,” he said in a statement.
“It has received a lot of accolades recently, but 2024 is the year Kangaroo Island will reap all the accolades.”
Lonely Planet experts said some of the best things to experience are a gin blending masterclass at Australia’s oldest specialty gin distillery, KI Spirits, and Stokes Bay is considered one of Australia’s best “secret” beaches.
There is also Guided beach tours in Seal Bay Conservation Park, one of the world’s largest breeding colonies of endangered Australian sea lions.
Sea lions are a staple on the island and are often seen by travelers, as is the island’s namesake: the kangaroo.
Elsewhere on the island, visitors can visit the 120-year-old ““Enchanted Fig Tree,” which is only visible when guests enter a hidden entrance.
In the middle of the tree lies a restaurant surrounded by vines that have been growing for more than a century.
To During the limited opening hours, 45 guests can be accommodated indoors.
The menu, created by chef Stephanie Vass, offers a “touch of local history, a touch of fairy tale and a touch of the unexpected.”
Elsewhere on the island, visitors can visit the 120-year-old Enchanted Fig Tree restaurant, which sits in the middle of the tree and is surrounded by centuries-old vines.
Other top destinations on the list of best trips in 2024 include Mongolia, Spain, the US Midwest and Kenya.
Elsewhere on the Lonely Planet list, which ranks the best cities, countries, regions and sustainable locations, Kenya’s capital Nairobi came first for cities and Italy’s Tuscany third for regions
The Kenyan capital, Nairobi, has been voted the best travel city in the world for its vibrant cultural scene and dining options.
Mongolia took the top spot among countries, with panelists citing its vast expanses and unique music as the main reasons for their visit.
Spain was the most sustainable location on the list as the country recently expanded its renewable energy capacity and expanded tourism to lesser-known places.
But for those looking to save money, the American Midwest has gotten the nod, described as an “underrated region” with great food spanning the country.
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
