HUNDREDS of holidaymakers have flocked to the coast this summer as tourist numbers hit record highs in the South East.
More than 1500 visitors descended on Beachport from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day, with visitor totals for the region’s peak season anticipated to climb higher this week.
Revellers lined Beachport’s foreshore on New Year’s Eve to watch the fireworks display presented by the Beachport and District Development Association.
The two displays at 9pm and midnight drew a large crowd, with punters of all ages filling the streets and licenced venues to see in 2018.
Wattle Range Council tourism officer Tamara North said the holiday period had seen unprecedented numbers of tourists, with around 300 visitors entering the Beachport Visitor Information Centre each day.
“It has probably been the busiest summer we have had in a long time,” she said.
“We’re seeing a lot of people from Adelaide and western Victoria – many from Ballarat and Hamilton.
“We always get our holiday locals who come every year and stay in the same park, but this year there seem to be more first time visitors coming into the town, which is great.”
Ms North said accommodations in Beachport were booked out, with staff directing inquiries to Bool Lagoon and the Coorong.
“There was nothing available in Beachport, Southend, Robe, Cape Jaffa or Kingston,” she said.
“Normally there’s one or two spots available, but there was nothing available on Friday.”
Ms North was confident the tourist inflow was yet to hit its peak, with a number of upcoming events guaranteed to bring holidaymakers to the South East.
“We expect it to get busier while swimming lessons are on and then peak around Australia Day,” she said.
“The weather is better this year and people are a bit more relaxed and happy with going on holidays.”
National Park South Australia senior ranger Glenn Jackway said visitors from across the greater region filled the 111 campsites spanning from Carpenter Rocks to Robe.
“It’s been really, really busy, it’s definitely one of the busiest years I can remember,” he said.
“We have had a lot of inquiries about camping and we have had to tell them we are booked-out.
“Long Gully has been very popular because it is a family sort of space with a lot of flat areas for kids.”
Mr Jackway said four-wheel-driving along the coast was popular with many visitors.
“There’s been a lot of people driving up and down the coast,” he said.
“There has not been major problems, just minor infringements.
“It appears most people seem to be abiding by national park rules, which is mostly sticking to marked tracks and not going off into scrub or soft sand.
“There has not been many trail bikes, mostly four-wheel-drives.”
Meanwhile, the Beachport Surf Life Saving Club conducted its first-ever patrols of local beaches on Saturday and continued on the following two days.
Club members made use of their newly-acquired inflatable rescue boat.
