Kangaroo Island Cruise Tourism Performance & Forward Priorities
Dear Industry Partners,
We are pleased to share with you the latest insights from the 2024–25 national cruise tourism report published by the Australian Cruise Association, alongside a snapshot of Kangaroo Island’s cruise performance and future priorities.
Cruise Sector Highlights 2024–25
Despite global economic headwinds and reduced ship deployments, cruise tourism remains a significant pillar of Australia’s visitor economy. In 2024–25, the sector generated $7.32 billion in total economic output and supported over 22,700 jobs. However, this represents a 13.2% decline compared to the record results of 2023–24, which saw $8.43 billion in output and more than 26,000 jobs supported. The downturn reflects reduced ship deployments and fewer turnaround visits, driven by increasing operational costs and regulatory uncertainty.
South Australian Snapshot
In South Australia, the cruise sector generated $198.2 million in total economic output in 2024–25, a decrease from $227.1 million the previous year. This represents an 12.7% decline, which, while notable, is slightly less than the national average. The state welcomed 106 cruise ship visits, carrying more than 266,000 passengers and crew, down from 122 visits and 297,000 arrivals in 2023–24.
Kangaroo Island Cruise Snapshot
Kangaroo Island continues to stand out as one of the state’s premier regional cruise destinations. In 2024–25, the Island welcomed 26 cruise ship arrivals, bringing approximately 74,240 passengers and crew. This activity generated an estimated $16 million in direct expenditure to the Island, with a total output of $37.6 million, and supported around 120 local jobs. This represents an increase from the $36.8 million impact in 2023–24. Kangaroo Island accounted for a quarter of South Australia’s cruise traffic, reinforcing its importance to the state’s tourism sector.
The performance illustrates both the resilience and appeal of Kangaroo Island in a tightening global cruise environment. The figures also highlight the need for long-term planning to support and manage growth effectively, particularly around infrastructure and community impact.
An infographic summarising Kangaroo Island’s cruise sector outcomes is available below.
