# data[].attributes.headline
How far has Kangaroo Island progressed in its recovery from the 2019-2020 bushfires?

# data[].attributes.subject
How far has Kangaroo Island progressed in its recovery from the 2019-2020 bushfires?

# data[].attributes.body
All of the information in this padlet proves the progression of Kangaroo Island's recovery from the bushfires. It shows that the progression has been immediate, but also ongoing. It is clear that Kangaroo Island is recovering at a good pace and has progressed largely since the bushfires in terms of nature being rejuvenated, businesses bouncing back, and native wildlife number coming back up.

There are many aspects that needed to be included in this padlet to represent every part of Kangaroo Island's recovery. These aspects are shown by each of the eight main headers. It is not possible to explain Kangaroo Island's progression of recovery under one header because each aspect is unique and detailed.

# data[].attributes.body
Bushfire Recovery & Resilience (n.d.), Conservation Volunteers Australia, accessed 25 October 2023. https://conservationvolunteers.com.au/bushfires/

BUSHFIRES ON KANGAROO ISLAND 2020 (n.d.), Kangaroo Island, accessed 25 October 2023. https://www.tourkangarooisland.com.au/visit/general-information/bushfires-on-kangaroo-island#:~:text=How%20are%20the%20natural%20attractions,process%20can%20be%20seen%20everywhere.

Current fire management plans for South Australian parks (2023), Environment, accessed 25 October 2023. https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/fire-management/fire-science-and-planning/fire-management-plans/current-fire-management-plans

Exceptional Kangaroo Island (18 May 2020) Live from Kangaroo Island: Fire Recovery Update (May 2020) | Exceptional Kangaroo Island [video], Exceptional Kangaroo Island, YouTube, accessed 25 October 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orqyVs4Abk0&ab_channel=ExceptionalKangarooIsland

Hard yacca: grass skirts are a life saver for many animals, but fire and disease threaten their survival (22 August 2023), University of South Australia, accessed 25 October 2023. https://www.unisa.edu.au/media-centre/Releases/2023/hard-yacca-grass-skirts-are-a-life-saver-for-many-animals-but-fire-and-disease-threaten-their-survival/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CGrass%2Dtree%20resilience%20to%20bushfires,in%20post%2Dbushfire%20environments.%E2%80%9D

How Kangaroo Island recovered from Australia's devastating bush fires and a global pandemic (12 April 2022), The Points Guy, accessed 25 October 2023. https://thepointsguy.com/news/kangaroo-island-bushfire-recovery/

Kangaroo Island before-and-after photos show bushfire destruction as national park reopens (18 February 2020), ABC News, accessed 25 October 2023. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-18/kangaroo-island-bushfires-before-and-after-destruction/11970788

Kangaroo Island (8 August 2022), DCCEEW, accessed 25 October 2023. https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/bushfire-recovery/regional-delivery-program/kangaroo-island

Landcare Association of SA (10 November 2022) Landcare-led Bushfire Recovery projects - Kangaroo Island [video], Landcare Association of SA, YouTube, accessed 25 October 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RIeTduXxFs&ab_channel=LandcareAssociationofSA

Laurinavičius R (8 January 2020) ‘19 Then And Now Photos Of Australia Show How Much Damage The Fires Have Already Done’ [blog post], SOCIAL ISSUES, accessed 25 October 2023. https://www.boredpanda.com/australia-bushfires-before-after-photos/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic

6 months on: How South Australia’s bushfire-affected wildlife is recovering (17 August 2020), National Parks and Wildlife Services Australia, accessed 25 October 2023. https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/insider-tips/bushfires-6-months-on

# data[].attributes.headline
How to prepare for another bushfire. What can YOU do?

# data[].attributes.subject
How to prepare for another bushfire. What can YOU do?

# data[].attributes.body
REDUCE, REMOVE, DISPOSE, REPLACE.

Something you can do today to lower the risk of bushfires spreading is creating a fuel break. These are small areas where vegetation is removed or reduced to stop the spread of fire. If you live in a high risk area that is surrounded by dry vegetation, a fuel break around your house could save you from the next bushfire.

There are two types of fuel breaks that can be done without approval. These are standard fuel breaks and Fuel breaks in mallee regions. A standard fuel break is 5 metres wide. Any overhanging foliage or low-to-the-ground shrubs are removed for 5 metres. Usually these run along a fence line which gives you a clear line to go along. Standard fuel breaks should be done in accordance to a bushfire prevention plan.

A fuel break done in a mallee region can be up to 7.5 metres wide, but only remove mallee shrubs (thick, close to the ground). These breaks must be on the borders of land owned by different people and at least 200 metres from another fuel break.

# data[].attributes.headline
How did businesses in Kangaroo Island manage to stay open during the bushfires?

# data[].attributes.subject
How did businesses in Kangaroo Island manage to stay open during the bushfires?

# data[].attributes.body
First, we need to look at the damage done to these businesses by the bushfires. Some businesses were physically damaged because they were burned down (Flinders chase burned down and closed down. cafés closed. Kelly hill caves closed. Cape border closed. Accommodation burned down and attractions such as caravan parks had to close), but many were devastatingly affected in a social and personal way. Many tourist businesses struggled through the bushfires because less people wanted to go to Kangaroo Island for a holiday because they were scared. Covid had a large impact on businesses in Kangaroo Island and along with the bushfires, this caused many businesses to shut down because they didn’t have enough customers.
(Mike, KI senior ranger, 2023)

# data[].attributes.body
The Kangaroo Island sheep industry had lost around 10% of their stock from the fires. They have now rebuilt most of their infrastructure such as thousands of kilometres of fencing. The crops and pastures have been resown and regenerated, showing an bright future for the KI sheep industry.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
kangaroo island was significantly impacted by bushfires in 2020 and the kangaroo island bushfire recovery is ongoing. learn how the island is bouncing back

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kangaroo Island was significantly impacted by bushfires in 2020 and the Kangaroo Island Bushfire recovery is ongoing. Learn how the island is bouncing back

# data[].attributes.body
The bushfires gave nature a chance to reset, and many new healthy plants could grow after the old ones burned.

# data[].attributes.body
Burnt, hollowed out trees are great homes for insects, birds, and small animals. After the bushfires, these hollow trees are very common and give some species a boost in their recovery from the fires.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
kangaroo island was significantly impacted by bushfires in 2020 and the kangaroo island bushfire recovery is ongoing. learn how the island is bouncing back

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kangaroo Island was significantly impacted by bushfires in 2020 and the Kangaroo Island Bushfire recovery is ongoing. Learn how the island is bouncing back

# data[].attributes.body
Some wildflower species are being seen after the bushfires that haven't been seen in over 70 years!

# data[].attributes.body
Firstly, $50 million was put towards Kangaroo Island and any possible bushfire recovery for wildlife and habitats that may be needed. $3 million from this was invested towards Kangaroo Island at the beginning of the 2019-2020 bushfires.

- $986,100 went to the protection of unburnt vegetation, and priority animal and plant species that had been burnt.

- $855,000 went to pest animal control (feral cat and pig) and immediate restoration of the glossy black cockatoo habitat.

- $1 million went towards multiple projects prioritising invertebrate species and rare or threatened plant species.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Kangaroo Island lies off the mainland of South Australia, southwest of Adelaide and has a total area of over 440,000 hectares. More than a third of the island is dedicated nature reserve. Flinders Chase National Park sits at the west end of the island.

Impacts of the 2019-20 bushfires

During the 2019-20 bushfires, around 38 per cent of the island was burnt, 83 per cent burnt at high to very high severity.

This map shows the extent and severity of the 2019-20 bushfires in the Kangaroo Island region.

Environmental values

Important environmental values impacted by the bushfires that were identified by the Expert Panel for management intervention on Kangaroo Island include:

23 animal species such as the Kangaroo Island Dunnart, Kangaroo Island Southern Emu-wren, Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Kangaroo Island Whipbird, Kangaroo Island Echidna, Kangaroo Island Micro Trapdoor Spider, Kangaroo Island Assassin Spider and the Green Carpenter Bee.

31 plant species such as the Kangaroo Island Ground-berry, Kangaroo Island Gland Flower, Mountain Woodruff, Kangaroo Island Heath-myrtle and Kangaroo Island Bush-pea.

Glossy Black-Cockatoo. Photo: Rebecca Citroni / AlamyStock Photo

Kangaroo Island Dunnart. Photo: South Australian Government

Kangaroo Island Bush-pea. Photo: South Australian Government

The Glossy Black-Cockatoo's favourite food is the seed from the she-oak tree. The 2019-20 bushfires burnt almost 70 per cent of the Glossies' habitat on the island.

Before the 2019-20 bushfires, it was estimated that between 300 and 500 Kangaroo Island Dunnarts lived on the island. The small marsupial had more than 95 per cent of its habitat burnt during the Black Summer fires.

The Kangaroo Island Bush-pea is one of the many species on Kangaroo Island that are not found anywhere else in the world.

Australian Government bushfire recovery funding in the region

$8.7 million has been invested in recovery of native wildlife and their habitat in the Kangaroo Island bushfire region. This investment is in two phases.

Phase 1 - Emergency Response

The Australian Government directly invested $3 million on Kangaroo Island, as part of the initial $50 million investment in bushfire recovery for wildlife and habitats. This includes:

$986,100 to the South Australian Government to support rapid assessment surveys of priority animal and plant species, and the protection of unburnt vegetation

$855,000 to the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board to support pest animal control, erosion management and restoration of Glossy Black-Cockatoo feeding and nesting habitat

$1 million for three grant projects that will support recovery actions for 13 priority invertebrate species, prevent extinction of the Kangaroo Island Dunnart on private land, support recovery of the South Australian Glossy Black-Cockatoos, and manage threats to 17 priority rare or threatened plant species endemic to Kangaroo Island.

Additional funding includes:

$770,000 for grant projects where some activities are being undertaken on, or are relevant to, Kangaroo Island

$1 million to Zoos SA for a range of activities, some of which are being undertaken on Kangaroo Island, including: emergency veterinary deployment post-fires, supplementary feeding for the Kangaroo Island Dunnart, and Southern Emu-wren translocation.

Phase 2 - Resilience and recovery

The Australian Government is investing $5 million in the Kangaroo Island bushfire region under the $110 million Regional Bushfire Recovery Fund to increase the resilience and recovery of fire-affected species, ecological communities and natural assets. This includes:

$3.18 million to Kangaroo Island Landscapes Board for feral cat control, work to support recovery of the Glossy Black-cockatoo on private and public land, weed control, erosion control and predator control

$1.82 million to the South Australian Government for feral cat control, fire management, and actions to improve habitat for priority species such as the Kangaroo Island Dunnart and support the recovery of threatened plants on Kangaroo Island.

This investment was guided by recommendations from a co-design workshop which was held with stakeholders from Kangaroo Island on 18 August 2020. The workshop report is available on the Workshops and ministerial roundtables page.

A further $700,000 is being invested in this region through 5 projects supported under the $10 million Bushfire Recovery for Wildlife and Habitat Community Grants Program.

A detailed list of funded projects is available on the Activities and Outcomes page.

Australian Government funding for NRM projects is delivered through the Commonwealth's broader Regional Land Partnerships (RLP) program. See current National Landcare Program investments.

Further information

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kangaroo Island lies off the mainland of South Australia, southwest of Adelaide and has a total area of over 440,000 hectares. More than a third of the island is dedicated nature reserve. Flinders Chase National Park sits at the west end of the island.

# data[].attributes.body
The Kangaroo Island Feral Pig Eradication Project is a Local Economic Recovery project and is jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian governments under the National Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

The eradication of feral pigs on the western end of Kangaroo Island is being done by thermally assisted aerial culling, where thermal cameras are deployed from helicopters to seek feral pigs and destroy them humanely and efficiently.
The first half of this program killed 126 feral pigs, which was followed up by a larger program across all of wester Kangaroo Island (215 000 hectares) which killed 243 pigs. The following year, only 25 feral pigs were found and killed, showing a huge reduction in the population.

# data[].attributes.body
Feral cats are a continual threat to native species on Kangaroo Island, becoming more of a threat after the bushfires. This is due to the burnt landscape containing less shrubs and bushes for their pray to hide on, and less obstacles for them while traversing the landscape.

Traditional cat traps work, but they are very tedious because they have to be checked everyday. To make this process more efficient, a wireless trap network technology has been created which means only traps that have been triggered can be checked. This accounts for usually around 20% of the total traps on the west end of KI.
- Paul Jennings, Project Manager Kangaroo Island Dunnart Recovery
-Chantelle Geissler, Feral cat control officer

The Felixer is a brand new technology created to eliminate the feral cat species without and work from humans. This device squirts out a lethal amount of toxin onto the cat's hind leg when it is triggered by the cat's unique body features.
AI technology is included in the Felixers to easily identify feral cats with a camera.

# data[].attributes.body
Grass trees are a Kangaroo Island endemic (native/restricted to KI) plant that have been growing and flowering in abundance after the bushfires. They are dependent on the fires because they don't flower and create seeds for the next generation without being burnt.

# data[].attributes.body
Mike is a senior park ranger on the west end of Kangaroo Island. He works with national parks and wildlife, does manager coordinating and on-ground work on the weekends. He manages walking trails, camp grounds, and carparks on the west end. He has also been recently helping in the control of weeds and feral animals on Kangaroo Island.

# data[].attributes.headline
When did you start working on kangaroo island? was it before, during, or after the 2019-2020 bushfires?

# data[].attributes.subject
When did you start working on kangaroo island? was it before, during, or after the 2019-2020 bushfires?

# data[].attributes.body
"I started working there in 2005, so I was around to see the bushfires and help in the recovery"

# data[].attributes.headline
What area of Kangaroo Island were you based on, or did you move around to all the affected areas of the island?

# data[].attributes.subject
What area of Kangaroo Island were you based on, or did you move around to all the affected areas of the island?

# data[].attributes.body
"Mainly the west end. I was involved in some larger projects in other areas of the island, but the west end was mostly affected"

# data[].attributes.headline
Around how many people did you work with during the recovery of the bushfires?

# data[].attributes.subject
Around how many people did you work with during the recovery of the bushfires?

# data[].attributes.body
"I was in a team of 5. Most of the department was involved in the recovery, which was 40 or 50 people. My department was dedicated to rescuing animals, cleaning burnt buildings, and controlling feral cats and pigs. So I did a bit of everything"

# data[].attributes.body
"There has never been a bushfire this large on Kangaroo Island before. There were fires in 2007 and the early 90s where a large amount of flinders chase was burnt."

# data[].attributes.headline
Were you in a group with any specific goals or focuses?

# data[].attributes.subject
Were you in a group with any specific goals or focuses?

# data[].attributes.body
"My small group was focussed on cleaning up and creating access to key sites for visitors on the west end. Making sure businesses stay open and the roads are accessible with no obstructions such as rubble. I helped to keep some businesses open such as Flinders chase, Kelly hill caves, Cape border, many cafes and accommodation, and attractions such as caravan parks."

# data[].attributes.headline
Do you think there are parts of the island where the wildlife has been fully rehabilitated? If so, how long did it take?

# data[].attributes.subject
Do you think there are parts of the island where the wildlife has been fully rehabilitated? If so, how long did it take?

# data[].attributes.body
"Not much study has been done in the past about numbers of wildlife living on KI. threats have been reduced and there are good signs of the Kangaroo Island dunnart and glossy black cockatoo numbers increasing. We are learning more and more about those species throughout the bushfire recovery."

# data[].attributes.body
"A new fire management plan is being drafted. This is called the Kangaroo Island fire management plan. More funding is needed for this to be able to be carried out when another large bushfire occurs."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Department for Environment and Water - Current fire management plans...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
These fire management plans help guide fire management activities in South Australian parks

# data[].attributes.headline
Was there any issue with the number of resources that were available? Were any donated?

# data[].attributes.subject
Was there any issue with the number of resources that were available? Were any donated?

# data[].attributes.body
"Some wildlife agencies donated resources. The RSPCA assisted in rescuing wildlife. There were donations of money from all over Australia to Kangaroo Island wildlife park. The Australian army helped tremendously with the immediate clean-up from the fires"

# data[].attributes.body
More abundance in grass trees means more protections for small animals living on Kangaroo Island. This is because their skirts (long drooping leaves) act as a barrier from the extremely high or low temperatures on kangaroo Island.

One downside to grass trees immediately after the fires is that their skirts are left burnt off, no longer providing small animals with shelter and protection from extreme temperatures.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
22 August 2023

Yaccas' long thick, grassy skirts help insulate animals from temperature extremes.

Australia's iconic grass trees - aka yaccas - are hardy, drought-tolerant, and strikingly beautiful. Now, new research has revealed another, far more important, feature: their ability to protect wildlife from deadly weather extremes.

A study undertaken by the University of South Australia and Kangaroo Island Research Station shows that the yaccas' long, thick and dry grassy skirts help insulate animals from lethal temperatures in summer and winter, as well as keeping them dry.

Temperatures under the grass-tree canopies at four sites in the Mt Lofty Ranges were up to 20 degrees cooler than under the direct sun in summer. In winter, conditions were significantly warmer under the grass skirts at night.

It turns out the iconic plant species - Xanthorrhoea semiplana sub species semiplana - also doubles as an effective umbrella, keeping the soil completely dry under 80% of the bigger, older yaccas during weeks of heavy rain.

Lead researcher Dr Topa Petit says it's not surprising that many creatures seek shelter under yaccas, particularly the older species with the largest and thickest skirts.

"Several of the 29 species of Australian grass-trees are known to host native bush rats, threatened bandicoots, echidnas and pygmy-possums, among other wildlife," Dr Petit says.

"Temperatures over 40 degrees can be lethal to some of our wildlife, but grass-trees provide extremely stable temperatures with very little variation.

"The remarkable ability of these grass-trees to protect wildlife from deadly climatic extremes - as well as providing effective hiding spots from predators - strengthens the mounting evidence that these plants are keystone species."

However, the yaccas on the mainland and Kangaroo Island are facing multiple threats which could have dramatic consequences for wildlife, Dr Petit says.

The soil pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi is having a devastating impact on the grass-trees, causing widespread dieback. Fuel reduction programs, summer fires and land clearing are threatening their survival even further.

"Grass-tree resilience to bushfires appears to be overestimated," Dr Petit says.

"Moreover, even if grass-trees are not killed by fires, their very old thick skirts of dead leaves burn, leaving no shelter to animals in post-bushfire environments."

In 2022, the Federal Government added fire regimes that cause declines in biodiversity to the list of Key Threatening Processes.

"Historically, grass-trees were cleared for agriculture. They are now cleared or burnt in so-called fuel reduction programs. Extensive research has shown that this practice increases fuel loads and dries out the landscape."

Dr Petit says yaccas scorched by fire can take decades to regain their role as effective shelters and are more susceptible to Phytophthora infestations.

"It's important that habitat management be backed by sound research and scientific monitoring rather than hysteria. We owe it to the future of our ecosystems."

The research is published in Pacific Conservation Biology.

..........................................................................................................................................

Contact for interview: Dr Topa Petit E: sophie.petit@unisa.edu.au
Media contact: Candy Gibson M: 0434 605 142 E: candy.gibson@unisa.edu.au

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Hard yacca: grass skirts are a life saver for many animals, but fire and disease threaten their survival

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
New research has revealed Australia's iconic grass trees - yaccas - play a critical role in protecting wildlife from deadly weather extremes.

# data[].attributes.body
During the 2019–20 bushfires, around 38 per cent of the island was burnt, 83 per cent of that was burnt at high to very high severity

# data[].attributes.body
90% of the Dunnart and koala habitat was burnt

# data[].attributes.headline
Kangaroo Island before and after the bushfires:

# data[].attributes.subject
Kangaroo Island before and after the bushfires:

# data[].attributes.body
Covid had a large impact on businesses in Kangaroo Island and along with the bushfires, this caused many businesses to shut down because they didn’t have enough customers.

These tourist businesses also struggled through the bushfires because less people wanted to go to Kangaroo Island for a holiday because they were scared of the bushfires or thought that there were no tourists attractions running after the fires.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Bush fires are an unfortunate reality of life in Australia.

Vast areas of untamed scrubland, combined with searing hot temperatures, prolonged droughts and unpredictable weather patterns mean that blazes flare up each summer with increasing regularity and intensity.

The summer from December 2019 through March 2020 (just before the coronavirus pandemic took hold) was an especially bad season for Australian bush fires. One of the hardest-hit locales was the tourist magnet of Kangaroo Island, off the coast of South Australia, which is famed for its vast array of indigenous flora and fauna.

From Dec. 20-30, 2019, a rash of lightning strikes sparked blazes across the island, running from the north coast down to Flinders Chase National Park in the southwest.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
With persistent adverse weather conditions, the conflagrations quickly spread across the western part of the island, where they burned out of control for several weeks and eventually destroyed more vegetation than any previous fires in the island's recorded history. Kangaroo Island was not declared safe again until early February 2020.

Two human lives were lost along with many homes and businesses. The impact on the island's wildlife was catastrophic, wiping out over 40,000 animals, including many from already threatened species.
Related: Everything you need to know about Australia's bushfires
Like many others around the globe, TPG readers quickly and generously donated money to help communities affected by the 2019-2020 bush fires across multiple Australian states. But just as recovery efforts began, COVID-19 arrived, halting international tourism almost overnight.

I grew up in South Australia and have fond memories of visiting "K.I." on school camping trips as a teenager and then as a young adult. Two years on from the devastating bushfires, as Australia reopened its borders to once again welcome back tourists, I returned to Kangaroo Island in March. I wanted to see how (and if) the island has recovered, how all those donations have been used, and what's in store for tourists ready to return.
Related: Finally home: How 2 years away from Australia made me appreciate it more than ever
Fighting fires and saving livelihoods

Over the course of my day-long visit, I asked locals I met on the island who are involved in the tourism industry what they remember from the fires two years ago. I was amazed to hear how they simultaneously fought the fires and managed to continue operating their businesses (including welcoming international guests).

Craig Wickham runs Exceptional Kangaroo Island, a luxury small-group tour company that relies heavily on international visitors.

"A normal day back then would consist of getting up early, loading water into the tanks on the back of my ute [the Australian word for a pick-up truck], and heading over to the western side of the island to help fight on the frontline until midday. Then I would freshen up, head to the airport or ferry terminal to collect incoming guests and take them on their prearranged tours," Wickham told me as we chatted under a grove of gum trees.

"We didn't have a choice," he said. "We couldn't afford to lose both the island and our customers at the same time. Fortunately, our tours could be run on the eastern side of the island where the blazes had not (and did not) reach. We saw some nervous faces leaving the aircraft, having seen the island from above, but we were able to assure them as they arrived that we could conduct their tours safely - and mostly as planned."

While juggling these two roles, Wickham was fielding calls from customers both with confirmed bookings and those considering a visit. Would-be travelers from around the world were seeing media reports that the island was on fire and were unsure if they should travel. Yes, there were parts of the island ablaze, he told them, but he was confident the tours could go ahead and he encouraged guests to make up their own minds about traveling. He didn't want to see his livelihood go up in smoke - even though the scope of these fires was larger than he had experienced before.

"I'm used to containing fires here, but I have never seen fires as large or sustained as the 2019-2020 fires.... There was definitely a smell of smoke everywhere on the island - it was even noticeable on the South Australian mainland," he said. But, "Bush fires are a part of life here. Everyone pitches in to help, whether your property is affected or not. We survived this one and we'll survive the next one, too."

Donations poured in

While none of the locals I spoke to disclosed the exact amount of financial aid they received from fundraising efforts such as TPG's GoFundMe appeal, they all expressed gratitude for the donations.

Some K.I. residents whose homes were destroyed in the blazes have chosen to rebuild in exactly the same location, knowing their property could be again at risk in future summers. And it's not just homes: One of the most iconic and luxurious accommodations on the island (and in all of Australia for that matter), the spectacular Southern Ocean Lodge, was completely destroyed during the bush fires of 2019-2020.

Thirteen guests and around 50 lodge staff were able to evacuate, though as the building started catching embers from the advancing fire, managers Alison Heath and John Hird as well as some senior staff decided take shelter in an on-property bunker instead. They regularly turned on the overhead sprinklers to keep themselves wet and protect themselves from the heat, smoke and any rogue embers.

Owners James and Hayley Baillie have since commenced rebuilding the property in the same spot and plan to reopen in 2023, despite the Country Fire Service deeming the remote site to be high risk and imposing 34 conditions to meet, including the construction of a helicopter pad for potential emergency evacuations.

Some Kangaroo Island residents whose properties were destroyed have relocated to other parts of the island that they consider to be less at risk from future fires.

I was struck by how calm every local was when discussing the devastation - with a shrug they kept reminding me that bush fires are now pretty normal here.

In addition to rebuilding and revegetating the island, donations have helped fund important new conservation projects, Wickham told me.

For the first time ever, for instance, the Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife group, a volunteer biodiversity conservation program, has been able to comprehensively find, monitor and protect the endangered Kangaroo Island dunnart, a tiny marsupial that resembles a small possum and weighs less than a AA battery. This species was thought to be almost extinct, numbering as few as 50 after the fires destroyed so much of its natural habitat.

The group has also used donations to revegetate the dunnart's habitat, planting 3,500 drooping she-oak trees and 4,000 seedlings of other assorted plants to provide cover for these minuscule animals to protect them from predatory birds and feral cats.

Border closures and local staycations

On March 19, 2020, only 41 days after the Kangaroo Island bush fires were declared to be safe (meaning no sources of ignition within containment lines had the potential to cause further fires, and the area no longer required patrols), Australia closed its borders to international tourists to slow the spread of COVID-19.

For those businesses decimated by the fires, the timing didn't have as much of an impact, as they were mainly focused on rebuilding their livelihoods. But for residents like Brenton Davis, who operates the Little Sahara Adventure Centre, which takes guests up and down the island's towering natural sand dunes in dune buggies, the cancellations flooded in immediately.
Related: I could have entered Australia at any time during the pandemic - here's why I waited until now
"We have miles and miles of sand dunes on site, so we were fortunate to escape the worst of the fires, though I still helped fight them on other parts of the island," Davis told me. "With no international tourists coming onto the island ... we had to immediately pivot to focus on attracting locals here while we waited for the borders to reopen."

Fortunately for Brenton and Little Sahara, South Australians were not banned from traveling within their own state - and when they did visit during the pandemic, it wasn't just for the day or a long weekend.

"With hardly any intrastate restrictions, South Aussies would visit for a week or two at a time during the pandemic, which was wonderful," said Davis. "It gave them the chance to explore the island properly at a more leisurely pace, rather than trying to cram everything the island has to offer in a day or two."

While his business is now thriving, he admitted not every tourism operator on the island has survived the cataclysmic combination of bush fires and pandemic. Those that have been nimble enough to adapt their business to the constantly changing pandemic restrictions have made it through to the other side, though.

As Davis starts to receive international bookings once more, he is encouraging visitors to slow down and enjoy the island over a little more time than they might have taken before, including a stint on his hair-raising dune buggy rides, which I tried out while I was there.

"There's too much to see to do it in just one day - you need a week!" Davis said with a wink.

Wickham's Exceptional Kangaroo Island team also benefited from some local bookings during the pandemic but suffered unique challenges.

Government capacity and density limits for vehicles like his touring minibus meant his group tours were restricted to just a single guest plus the driver - something that wasn't at all economically viable. So his team put their thinking caps on, found some bicycles and began offering cycling tours around the island to replace the minibus. With no indoor transporation involved, there were no density caps.

Since these tours weren't enough to keep the business afloat on their own, Wickham came up with a savvy side hustle. He had heard that the Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge hotel was sending its guest laundry to the South Australian mainland each day to be laundered for the simple reason that there was not a single commercial laundromat on the island. The cost of sending laundry back and forth every day was considerable.

So, with fewer bookings and a glut of time on his hands, Wickham found an empty industrial space near his home on the island and built a commercial laundromat. Now his staff launder all the towels and sheets for the hotel at a much cheaper price than the hotel was previously paying to do it on the mainland. This meant he was able to keep his team employed while patiently waiting for international visitors to return.

Regeneration and recovery

The impact of the bush fires is still readily apparent as you drive towards the western half of the island. The trees become darker and darker, their trunks charred or stained with soot. There are miles of blackened forest, but I was pleased to notice significant natural regeneration springing up already.

The contrast of the bright green, new foliage against the charcoal-colored, wizened trunks was oddly beautiful. I suspect that in the next 24 months, the evidence of the 2020 bush fires will become barely noticeable.

Where to go from here?

While the Kangaroo Island locals have enjoyed a steady stream of visitors from South Australia and some other Australian states during the past two years, everyone I spoke to is very ready for international tourists to return now that borders have finally reopened and restrictions have been significantly relaxed.
Related: Vaccinations, declarations and testing: Everything you need to visit Australia now
"There aren't many places in Australia you will see such diverse wildlife and landscapes in a relatively small space," the cheery ticket agent at Seal Bay Conservation Park proudly informed me. "There's the obvious draw cards of kangaroos, koalas and seals, and birdwatchers find plenty of see here, too. There's classic Australian bushland with miles of pristine deserted beaches perfect for swimming six-plus months per year - you can see it all in a day here if you want. The fires unfortunately impacted the numbers of wildlife, but you will still see everything you hope for here right now."

Those words rang true as I walked along the sand, mere meters from dozens of Australian sea lions relaxing on the beautiful beach. Down at dramatic Admirals Arch, there are also thousands of long-nosed fur seals.

With the exception of some accommodations that are still being rebuilt, most businesses are open and ready for visitors, too.

At time of publication, masks were still required at shared indoor public spaces, but you won't be spending much of your time indoors here since the attractions are all outdoors. Remember to be patient with hospitality staff, too. Many businesses on the island are still struggling to recruit enough staff, as some workers decided on career changes during the pandemic, and others headed to the mainland in search of work that was not so reliant on tourism.
Related: How Melbourne's most anticipated luxury hotel opened against all odds
My last stop on the island was to taste some delicious local wines at Dudley Wines, which has a convenient location close to Penneshaw, from which the ferry back to the mainland departs.

The shop has one of the most spectacular views on the island across Cuttlefish Bay, with the mainland in the distance. You can even track your ferry as it arrives at the nearby harbor. The 45 minutes I spent sampling a flight of locals wines and enjoying a delicious grazing plate was not nearly enough.

The friendly owners explained to me that, before the pandemic, the shop was usually the last location on the whistle-stop day tours from Adelaide, with visitors only popping in for a quick drink before heading home. They confessed they have loved the change in visitors' habits the last two years, with more folks arriving for longer stays and taking more time to enjoy their beautiful space and local products.

"Instead of trying a few wines and hastily catching the ferry home, now people enjoy a long lunch and a glass or three of our 13 different wines while soaking up the view. I hope when international visitors return to the island they will do the same," Tam Howard, Dudley Wines' general manager, told me.

Bottom line

I felt a real sense of nostalgia returning to Kangaroo Island after so many years away. The scenery and vast array of wildlife was as I remember, though koalas are now much harder to spot. As a teenager I recall seeing one in almost every tree, but the koala population on the island was decimated by the bush fires. Although the destruction from the 2019-2020 fires is quickly apparent when you enter the western half of the island, the regeneration is just as obvious now.

The resilience of the locals impressed me, too. It wasn't the first bush fire outbreak and it won't be the last. Right now, however, Kangaroo Island is open for business and ready for international visitors to return to this unique Aussie spot.

Just don't try and see it all in one day.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Kangaroo Island recovered from Australia's devastating bushfires and a global pandemic - The Points Guy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kangaroo Island was one of the hardest hit areas of the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires. Two years on, we returned to the island to see what tourists can expect.

# data[].attributes.headline
Donations from other areas of South Australia

# data[].attributes.subject
Donations from other areas of South Australia

# data[].attributes.body
Many organisations from other areas of SA chipped in to help the recovery of KI. This included the donations of not only money, but resources that KI might have lacked.

There was a tremendous amount of Australian Government bushfire recovery funding which included $3 million which was first invested into Kangaroo Island and later, $5 million and a further $700,000 was invested to aid the long-term recovery of kangaroo island. (Australian Government, 2022)

Australia’s fire-fighting and emergency response services were heavily involved in the immediate recovery, devoting their time and resources to stop the fires as soon as possible. (Conservation Volunteers Australia)

# data[].attributes.body
The feral cat and pig population is being kept low because they are a threat to native species on kangaroo island, being predators.
Some bird, spider, and other species populations are being replenished on the island using different techniques specific to the animal.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Landcare-led Bushfire Recovery projects - Kangaroo Island

# data[].attributes.body
The fires have displaced bird species forcing them to move to places they don’t usually go.
23 animal species and 31 plant species were impacted by the bushfires, including the dunnart, koala, and glossy black cockatoos which are important species to the island.
Some bird, spider, and other species populations are being replenished on the island using different techniques specific to the animal.
There is evidence of native species surviving the fires such as footprints and sightings on infrared cameras.

Seeds are burned off of trees and bushes but stay intact and accumulate in low areas after it rains, growing abundant foliage such as ferns in the lower areas.

Grass trees are a Kangaroo Island endemic plant that are growing and flowering after the fires. They are dependent on the fires because they don’t flower and create seeds for the next generation without fire.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Live from Kangaroo Island: Fire Recovery Update (May 2020) | Exceptional Kangaroo Island

# data[].attributes.body
-1991 flinders chase fires, 25,000 hectares (CFS, 2023)
-2007 kanagroo island fires, 90,000 hectares, caused by lightning (AIDR, 2020)

-2019-20 kangaroo island fires, 211,474 hectares (tour KI, n.d.)

# data[].attributes.body
south Australia National parks and Wildlife Services has done so much to help KI bounce back from the bushfires. Rescuing animals, cleaning burnt buildings, Controlling feral cats and pigs, creating access to key sites for visitors on the west end, making sure businesses stay open, making sure the road is accessible with no obstructions such a rubble.

all of this and much more helped many businesses stay open, animals and plant species recover, and Kangaroo Island recover as a whole.

# data[].attributes.body
$5 million was taken out of the $110 million Regional Bushfire Recovery Fund to further help the recovery of fire-affected species and other natural aspects of Kangaroo Island that were affected.

- $3.18 million went to feral cat control, weed control, glossy black cockatoo recovery, and erosion control.

- $1.82 million went towards more feral cat control, ongoing fire management, and more support for threatened plant and animal species.

# data[].attributes.body
A further $700,000 was invested in the Bushfire Recovery for Wildlife and Habitat Community Grants Program later on.