Picture: BROOKE LITTLEWOOD
THE Millicent Showgrounds is best known for hosting one of the biggest social events on the town’s calendar, but it is fast becoming a popular accommodation hub for tourists.
Last year the Millicent Agricultural, Horticultural and Pastoral Society received conditional approval from the Wattle Range Council assessment panel to use a portion of the Gordon Memorial Oval as a park for up to 25 fee-paying motor homes and recreational vehicles.
The gates were opened to the public as a designated area for visitors last month and since then over 70 guests from across the state and as far as Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales and even Germany have used the site.
Millicent secretary Megan Brennan said bookings into the park were immediate and have remained steady, with many guests extending their stay.
“We had three couples book in on the first night, one couple stayed overnight, the next lot for two nights and the other extended their trip for another day because they kept finding things to do,” she said.
“Since then it has been fairly steady and we have had people book in most days.”
Most tourists had discovered the showground’s on WikiCamps, an online database of campgrounds, caravan parks, backpacker hostels, day use area, points of interest, information centres and public dump points.
Ms Brennan said the general comment from those who had stayed was “there is a lot more here than I thought there would be”.
“Many guests have looked at extending their stay because we have encouraged them to check out Millicent and surrounding areas,” she said.
“They are all happy, in particular the Victorians who get to see the grass and green hills.
“A couple of people have been here before and a few of them have said they usually just drive through so the fact they are stopping and bringing money into the town is really good.”
Ms Brennan said popular attractions in Millicent for tourists had been Lake McIntyre, the National Trust Millicent Museum, neighbouring coastal towns including Southend, Beachport and Robe, Ants Redgum Gallery, the Domain Playground and Mount Burr.
“They like the countryside and we have been receiving some great feedback on the shops and the friendliness of the people in town, which is good,” she said.
“We have been using Millicent as the gateway to the Limestone Coast and the best route to the Coonawarra.
“The comment we have been receiving is the park is peaceful and people enjoy the grounds and can see what we are doing here.
“They also give us tips and hints about what other places have got and what we can do for improvement without spending a hell of a lot of money.
“It is good getting money and new people into the town.”
