A major cellar door development, multi-million-dollar holiday park, retro whisky distillery, and unique Kombi camping experience are among the latest projects to capitalise on continued record-high regional tourism demand.
The latest round of grants in the South Australian Tourism Commission’s Tourism Industry Development Fund have been released today, with nine new projects awarded grants to a total of more than $1.8 million.
It brings the total number of projects supported through the Fund to 80, with a total project value of more than $56.8 million, spread across all 11 tourism regions.
Premier Steven Marshall said the Fund is spurring huge investment in the state’s regions at a time of continued record-breaking regional tourism demand, sustaining and creating jobs.
“Regional visitor expenditure grew 25 percent in the 12 months to June, nearing pre-COVID levels to $3.5 billion, and intrastate expenditure hit a record-high $2.6 billion – this Fund is supporting our state’s tourism operators to capitalise on this huge demand and giving visitors more reasons to keep coming back and spending in SA,” Premier Marshall said.
“We’re not only building a stronger and more prosperous tourism industry – we’re creating more jobs for South Australians now and into the future.”
Nepenthe Wines in the Adelaide Hills is one of the nine latest projects receiving funding and will use its $463,291 grant to unlock a more than $1.5 million development of its cellar door to include new on-site experiences.
AVL Wines CEO Craig Garvin said the company was extremely grateful to receive the State Government support.
“The grant allows us to proceed with the project immediately, bringing forward the economic and social benefits of the project to the South Australian and Adelaide Hills economies in a time where it’s much needed. The renovation will boost wine sales, create employment opportunities and encourage more tourism to the region from both national and international markets,” he said.
A $500,000 grant to Discovery Parks Goolwa in the Fleurieu Peninsula will support a multi-million-dollar development with new cabins, 3-bedroom houses, powered sites, and a new water park – set to be re-launched in time for Christmas.
Chief Investment Officer for G’day Group, Amanda Baldwin is “thrilled” the grant is supporting their vision for Discovery Parks Goolwa to become a stand-out family destination on the Fleurieu.
“This is no small upgrade – the property is being reinvented as one of the State’s best holiday parks with a waterpark, outdoor cinema, coastal nature playground and a significant number of new cabins and camp sites. The total project is a $22 million investment, and alongside the exciting upgrade planned for McCracken Country Club, the Fleurieu will soon have so much more to offer.”
Barossa based Kombi Camping is a camping van hire experience which has jumped on the burgeoning post-COVID trend of self-contained camping and road tripping. Its $49,954 grant will enable it to get two vintage Kombi vans on the road for hire, to add to its one van fleet which is proving hugely popular among local’s keen to explore the state in their own time.
Owner/operator of Kombi Camping, Cooper Pratt said: “We are really excited to receive this grant which will give our business a huge boost – it means we can fast track the refurbishment of two new campers ready for visitors to enjoy the Kombi life across South Australia’s beautiful regions.”
Latest grant recipients:
Region | Project | Grant | Total project value |
Adelaide Hills | Union Bridge – development of 1920’s style whisky distillery, brewery and cellar door, reactivating the disused Cudlee Creek Cold Store. | $278,019 | $926,731 |
Adelaide Hills | Nepenthe Wines – redevelopment of the Nepenthe cellar door to include high quality cellar door experiences and the transformation of current facility into a hub for the Adelaide Hills Wine Association. | $463,291 | $1,544,304 |
Barossa | Kombi Camping – restoration and fit out of two vintage Kombi vans named ‘Mable’ and ‘Daisy’ to add to the Kombi Campers fleet available for hire from the Barossa. | $49,954 | $166,514 |
Barossa | Brockenchack Wines – renovation of existing property into a three-bedroom homestead and a studio accommodation | $84,322 | $281,074 |
Fleurieu Peninsula | Discovery Parks Goolwa – development of 23 new cabins, 3 new 3-bedroom houses, 86 powered sites, amenity blocks, camp kitchens and BBQ shelters, footpaths and road access and new water park. | $500,000 | $11,371,726 |
Fleurieu Peninsula | NRMA Victor Harbor Beachfront Holiday Park – development of 6 beachfront ‘safari’ tents with ensuites and social area for glamping guests. | $195,170 | $650,567 |
Fleurieu Peninsula | Lady Bay Hotel – refurbishment of 28 hotel rooms, hotel lobby, wellness centre and re-establishment of conference facilities. | $169,403 | $564,678 |
Fleurieu Peninsula | Paxton Wines – refurbishment and upgrade of cellar door to increase capacity to allow for educational wine tasting experiences. | $27,617 | $92,057 |
Riverland | The River Vista – development of boutique luxury accommodation on the riverside cliffs of the Murray River. | $54,375 | $181,252 |
See the full list of grant recipients at our Tourism Industry Development Fund page.
