The Flinders Ranges, including the new Nilpena Ediacara National Park, has been named one of the world's top places to visit by a leading travel publication.
The region is home to some of the world's oldest examples of life and has featured in Explore Travel's list of the world's best places to visit in 2024, alongside locations in Hawaii, New Zealand, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Explore Travel has a monthly reach of up to 4.6 million people through its online and print publications.
Nilpena Ediacara is about 500km north of Adelaide and is home to the world's most comprehensive records of Ediacaran fossils.
The park has gained significant international attention from researchers, palaeontologists, and conservationists, including NASA and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough.
It is also an important part of the World Heritage listing bid for the Flinders Ranges.
Experiences at the national park range from guided fossil exploration tours to an innovative audio-visual experience taking visitors on a journey back in time to the earliest evidence of intelligent life on our planet.
The audio-visual display, created by leading design studio Sandpit, includes photo-realistic 3D animation reconstructs the Ediacaran lifeforms found in the area and was designed with world-renowned palaeontologist Professor Mary Droser.
Located in the refurbished Blacksmith's Shop, the digitally immersive experience sees animations projected directly onto a 550-million-year-old fossil bed.
For more information visit Nilpena Ediacara National Park
As put by Susan Close
Nilpena Ediacara National Park is a place unlike anywhere else in the world.
This is a place where visitors can have the unique experience of witnessing the first evidence of animal life on Earth, which is truly amazing.
This recognition is just another shining example of the wonder of the Flinders Ranges and adds further legitimacy for the World Heritage listing.
As put by Zoe Bettison
What a wonderful accolade for South Australia's iconic Flinders Ranges & Outback, being recognised as one of Explore Travel's world's best places to visit in 2024.
We know in the 12 months to June 2023, visitors to the region pumped $690 million into our economy – as travellers enjoyed unique experiences such as ancient fossil tours, local beer at remote pubs, and stunning scenery.
Our epic Flinders Ranges & Outback region is featured in the state's latest domestic tourism campaign, with the iconic red landscapes and heart-pumping experiences helping inspire visitors across the country to 'Travel Our Way.
As put by Ranger-in-Charge of Nilpena Ediacara National Park Kym Geue
Nilpena Ediacara National Park being named as one Explore Travel's best places to visit next year is an honour.
Witnessing the first signs of life on Earth through the guided tours and the amazing audio-visual experience is something you will never forget.
Since the park opened in April 2023, the new attraction has proved popular with visitors and we look forward to welcoming more people to this incredible place in 2024.
