P&O Cruises’ Launches South Australia Cruise Season by Bringing Almost 5000 Guests to Kangaroo Island Following the Bushfire Emergency

P&O Cruises is kicking off its South Australia cruise season by bringing almost 5000 guests to the region on four dedicated cruises, further demonstrating the line’s commitment to the destination which was so badly affected in the recent bushfire emergency.

P&O’s Pacific Aria’s departed Adelaide today with 1200 guests bound for an eight-night ‘Taste of Tasmania’ cruise which will stop at Kangaroo Island tomorrow before calling at Hobart, Port Arthur and Burnie.

The 55,820-tonne ship will return to Kangaroo Island on March 22, March 26 and April 2, as part of P&O’s series of four-night Southern Getaway itineraries.

South Australia's bushfires ravaging through 215,000 hectares in Kangaroo Island and this had major implications on tourism with local businesses experiencing a sharp drop in visitors.

As part of P&O’s 2020 South Australia cruise season, guests have an opportunity to support companies in the local area by partaking in shore tours, sampling local produce and buying local goods. Some of the experiences P&O Cruises guests can enjoy include:

• The Tasting Trail Tour immersive cuisine experience hosted by local producers providing guests samples of some of Kangaroo Island’s finest harvest such as honey and lavender.
• A full day tour of Kangaroo Island offering an insight into all of the area’s main attractions including the famous Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch and Flinders Chase National Park.
• P&O’s Awesome Quad-bike Adventure which explores 500 acres of open grassland and pristine native bush overlooking the Southern Ocean.
• The Cape Willoughby, Wines and Views Tour provides wine tasting at local cellar doors before delving into Kangaroo Island’s rich marine history with a visit to Australia’s first lighthouse.
• ‘Kangaroo Island After Dark’ is a chance to see iconic Australian wildlife that call the island home under the evening of the Southern Australian sky.

P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said Kangaroo Island was an extremely popular destination with guests who had shown great interest in paying a visit this cruise season.

“We have been offering cruises to Kangaroo Island from Adelaide for more than 85 years and together with our guests appreciate all that the region has to offer from its diverse native wildlife to striking coastal rock formations and delicious local produce,” Mr Myrmell said.

“With the support of our guests, we’re happy to be returning to this wonderful part of the country and helping to play a part in its recovery which continues the message that the local community is resilient, courageous and ready to welcome visitors.”

Pacific Aria will offer six round-trip cruises from Adelaide until April 6, 2020 before departing on a six-night one-way cruise to Auckland.

P&O Cruises will return to South Australia in early 2021. Itineraries include a four-night Southern Getaway departing Adelaide on February 6, 2021 with prices starting at $479 per person for an interior quad share cabin.