South Australian Government reveals $150 million Cleland Wildlife Park upgrade

The South Australian Government has released a new vision for the Cleland Wildlife Park that aims to “re-establish the Park as a world-class nature-based tourism destination”.

Investors are now being sought for the newly released concept plans for the site, with new experiences such as a treetop walk, zip-lining, a hang gliding simulator, a cable car network linking the Park with the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden and Summit and year-round mountain biking access.

The vision also proposes a hotel along with an Australiana shopping village and scenic restaurant and bar options, elevating Cleland as a nature-based tourism centrepiece of the Adelaide Hills.

The vision also includes the previously announced International Koala Centre of Excellence, as well as Kaurna cultural experiences.

The plans were designed by Dr Allan Zeman, the former longtime Chairman of Hong Kong's Ocean Park, who now heads the Lan Kwai Fong (LKF) Group - Hong Kong-based consultants who have unique experience in the development and operation of nature-based theme parks.

Launching the Cleland concept plans, Dr Zeman said, like Cleland, Ocean Park was government owned and had become run down.

He advised “we came up with a vision to really upgrade the park and make it world class, even with a competitor like Disney coming. What happened in the end, 12 years in a row, I beat Disney (referring to the performance of Ocean Park during his time as Chairman between 2003 and 2014).

"I came to Adelaide at the invitation of the Premier and looked at Cleland Park and I was blown away with it.

"I saw the same vision that I saw with Ocean Park."

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill suggested that the project would enhance nature-based tourism in South Australia – currently worth $1.2 billion to the local $6.3 billion visitor economy.

The project is expected to continue this growth and attract key international and high-yield markets like China.

Premier Weatherill stated “Cleland will always be a wildlife park, but has huge potential to be taken to the next level with some amazing new features to add a real wow factor.

“Our vision retains all the aspects that generations of South Australians have treasured, and builds on those by adding exciting experiences like a cable car, zip-lining and a treetop walk.

“With China being a top tourism market to SA, Hong Kong based LKF Group were engaged to develop this vision. They have been instrumental in the success of Hong Kong’s Ocean Park, which has a dedicated South Australian exhibit, home to some of Cleland’s koalas and wallabies.

“There are exciting opportunities here for private investors to be part of a sensational project that will take Cleland into the future as a must-visit destination.”

Dr Zeman, who was responsible for establishing a South Australian koala attraction while at Ocean Park, is reportedly good friends with Australian businessman Lindsay Fox, who was also at the concept launch and may well back the venture..

Fox told the ABC "I'd put money into anything Allan did.”

Cleland Wildlife Park welcomed 125,000 visitors in 2016 - up 4% on the year before.

The Park is home to hundreds of Australian native birds and animals, and is one of the only places in Australia where guests can hold a koala.

A series of market soundings will inform the process as to viable design and funding scenarios that will appeal to the private sector, while meeting policy objectives for Cleland and nature-based tourism in South Australia more broadly.

For more information on the new vision for Cleland go to www.environment.sa.gov.au/clelandwildlife/visionplan/

Images: Concept drawings for the Cleland Wildlife Park redevelopment.

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