MILLICENT is proving to be a popular holiday destination among tourists with local caravan parks experiencing an increase in bookings over the summer period.
The Swimming Lake, Domain Playground, skatepark and Lake McIntyre – as well as the town’s central location in the Limestone Coast region – have made Millicent the ideal community to accommodate visitors.
Millicent Lakeside Caravan Park owner Derek Spark said bookings were up slightly in comparison to previous years with many return guests.
“We can only get so busy over Christmas, however I would say numbers seem to have increased,” he said.
“Our busiest period has been between Christmas and January 6 and we are starting to book up for Australia Day again, which will be full.
“There have been many return visitors and a lot who have already booked again for next year.”
Mr Spark said visitors were mainly families travelling in caravans from Adelaide and Victoria, while tradesmen working in town occupied the cabins.
“We have workers from away staying in the cabins, so they are near enough full,” he said.
“Our figures continue to grow each year.
“Those staying make use of the Swimming Lake when the weather has been good.
“The main comments we receive from visitors is how well the town is looked after and kept, however they do say it is a shame there are a lot of empty shops.
“Overall we receive really positive feedback about Millicent.”
Meanwhile, Millicent Hillview Caravan Park has also had a spike in booking numbers this summer holiday period with many international guests.
Owner Allan Withers said the park was solidly booked from Boxing Day through to January 5 with numbers picking up again next month.
“All of our powered sites and campsites were heavily booked, I would say around 10pc more than last year,” he said.
“Cabins were solidly booked as well and there have still been a number of enquiries coming through of people looking for a stopover.
“We have had a combination of families, singles, couples and retirees staying at the park and many relatives visiting family in the area.
“There has been a stronger push this year with Chinese tourists, which is a bit unusual compared to previous years, as well as European guests including Swedes and Norwegians.”
Mr Withers said the caravan park had to turn away a number of people looking for accommodation because they were fully booked out.
“We tend to pick up the flow from Mount Gambier and if people cannot find somewhere to stay there then they come to us.
“There are also a number of workers who are returning to complete battery work on the wind farm and doctors who are working locally who are staying on site.
“Other busy times of the year include the Pines Enduro, Geltwood Festival, Millicent Basketball Tournament and the Golfing classic.
“Tourism picks up around those events.”
The Furst family, including parents Danny and Kate and children Harry, Lucy and Miles, visited Millicent for the first time last week having travelled from the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.
Kate said the family used the region as a halfway meeting point to catch up with friends from Adelaide after they ventured to the state’s capital in 2017.
“We decided to stay in Millicent this holiday period because of the swimming lake,” she said.
“There are amazing facilities in the town, in particular for the kids, such as the playground, swimming lake and road traffic school.
“The town is really well kept and there is loads of space.
“We have also visited Beachport and Mount Gambier since we have been here.”
