THE region’s New Year’s Eve revellers were well behaved, with large crowds enjoying festivities in Robe and Beachport without major incident.
Thousands of holiday makers flocked to the coast, filling the streets and licensed venues to see in 2019.
Revellers lined Beachport’s foreshore to watch the annual fireworks display presented by the Beachport and District Development Association.
The two fireworks displays at 9pm and midnight drew a large crowd, with young and old turning out to watch the impressive spectacle.
Following the fireworks, local DJ Tommy Ags hit the decks at Bompas of Beachport, while party band Juicy X played rock classics for the Beachport Hotel crowd.
The celebrations continued on New Year’s Day, starting with the Beachport Rivoli Bay Lions Club annual breakfast at the Southern Ocean Caravan Park.
More than 100 hungry visitors snapped up a hearty bacon and egg breakfast.
Over in Robe, the population ballooned out as thousands of local, interstate and international visitors saw out 2018 in the coastal town.
Attendees were treated to a 20-minute fireworks display at the foreshore, followed by celebratory parties at the Robe Hotel and The Caledonian.
Wattle Range Council tourism officer Tamara North said accommodation in Beachport, Robe, Southend and Kingston was completely booked out, with limited options available.
“There was no accommodation available in Beachport on New Year’s Eve and it was the same for the entire week beforehand,” she said.
“We have been directing people to Millicent.”
Ms North said tourism inquiries to the Beachport visitor information centre were down slightly from last year.
However, she was confident the tourist inflow was yet to peak.
“Normally this week, visitor numbers will go up again for what we call the transition period, which is when the people here for Christmas and New Year’s leave and a new lot hit town for swimming lessons,” she said.
“We will have another big wave of tourists next weekend for the annual Beachport Market Day and Duck Race.
“We are seeing a lot more international visitors and people from Victoria who are doing the Canunda 4WD track and instead of starting in Beachport like a lot of the tourists do, they are starting from further down in the park.
“As a result, we are seeing higher numbers at the Millicent Visitor Information Centre.”
National Parks South Australia senior ranger Glenn Jackway said visitors from across the greater region had filled the 111 campsites from Carpenter Rocks to Robe.
“All the campgrounds have been officially booked out for the last week,” he said.
“Most people have behaved themselves, but there has been a little bit of illegal off-track driving.
“There has also been some vandalism, but that is likely to have occurred before the Christmas period.”
Southern Ocean Tourist Park manager Heidi Prouse praised the behaviour of park visitors.
“Everyone has been really chilled and there have not been any issues at all,” she said.
“It has been flat out and we have been full every day, but everyone is in great spirits and really enjoying the holidays.
“We had our first disco on New Year’s Eve, which was very successful and we had a great turn out.
“Last week, we had Raidis Wines come to the park for wine tasting and they brought their Greek charcoal grill, which was really well received with music by Christy, Jason and Jimmy Wallace.”
Ms Prouse said foodies would continue to be treated to culinary delights this week, with Billy’s Smoking Barbecue Ribs today and woodfired pizza nights from January 3 to 6.
