THE Limestone Coast’s campgrounds, parks and waterways have become a haven for residents and visitors alike in recent weeks as South Australia continues to encourage intrastate travel.
While several businesses servicing the tourism economy have noted an increase in visitors from the state’s capital, it appears more Limestone Coast residents are taking advantage of their own backyard in light of tightened border control measures.
Port MacDonnell General Store employee Linda Driver said staff had noticed more seaside residents opting to stay at home during winter compared to previous years.
Ms Driver believes it is largely the result of COVID-19-restricted interstate travel with residents unable or unwilling to seek out a warm-weather escape.
“It is fantastic for our economy and for our tourism sector as we are really showing what we have to offer here,” Ms Driver said.
“People are staying home this winter and spending their money locally rather than in Queensland or the Northern Territory which is great for businesses, especially postCOVID-19.”
She said staff had also noticed an increase in intrastate travellers holidaying in the region.
“We can pick who is not a local to the South East and we usually ask where they are from and what they are doing down here,” Ms Driver said.
“It has been different to previous years but is great to see.”
Taking advantage of the region’s tourism gems, Mount Gambier resident Mare Lawler has enjoyed a break at a popular camping spot near Eight Mile Creek.
Typically travelling through Victoria and New South Wales during the winter period, Ms Lawler said the usually busy area was quiet for the school holiday period.
“It has been very quiet here and we have camped here before where it had been full,” Ms Lawler said.
“I do think it is because of the border restrictions because there are now no Victorians travelling over to camp here.”
The Limestone Coast resident said the amount of intrastate travellers was a positive for the region to showcase what it has on offer.
Recreational fishing had also seen an increase in participation according to Spot On Fishing and Outdoors Mount Gambier store manager Jamie Coates who said the business had reported an increase customers from across the state visiting the region, with fishing the major drawcard.
“We noticed as the restrictions were lifted that was when the tuna season started down here and there was a lot of uncertainty straight away whether those from Adelaide were allowed to come down to fish,” Mr Coates said.
“Once we were told they were allowed to we noticed Port MacDonnell was a major drawcard for them because there is such an abundance of species down there whether you are a boat angler or a land based angler.”
Mr Coates said there had also been an increase in Limestone Coast families taking up the hobby to spend a day out together.
He said typically fathers would take their children fishing, however it was increasingly becoming a full family affair as the school holidays unfold.
“There are also many of those who would normally travel up north during winter to go fishing but this winter we have seen a lot of people from Adelaide and other South Australian regions come down for a holiday,” he said.
“The whole area is a huge drawcard and there are so many things that people would not usually go and do they are now because they’re here.”
