Parndana is a town in the geographical centre of Kangaroo Island, 40 km from Kingscote. The name "Parndana" itself means "place of little eucalyptus trees". The township was established in 1951 to provide commercial and logistical support for the local agricultural "boom" that began after World War II when former soldiers returned and doubled the production of local produce. The absence of agricultural pests and poisonous plants provides a clear competitive advantage for local produce over mainland produce.
Located 3 kilometres west of the town is the Parndana Wildlife Park, which preserves the island's largest private collection of native animals. Opened in 1992 and covering 12 hectares, the park is home to hundreds of birds and animals. Kangaroos and wallabies live in open enclosures and are very friendly and allow themselves to be hand-fed. However, food must be purchased from a local shop. Emu ostriches roam in the enclosures next to the kangaroos. Koalas can be visited by a guide. Other inhabitants of the park include echidnas, swamp wallabies, kangaroo rats, potoroos, fallow deer, wombats, crocodiles and pets. The park also cares for injured animals and orphaned babies. The see-through bird aviary features the largest collection of birds on the island, including parrots, hawks, owls, eagles, cockabarrs, and different species of cockatoos.
It is worth noting that the park has won national tourism awards several times.
