It has world-class wines and scenery galore, but a lack of tourist beds could be holding this region back

Tourism leaders on South Australia’s Limestone Coast say the region needs more accommodation to reach its full potential as a holiday destination.  

Situated about five hours from Melbourne and Adelaide, the Limestone Coast includes the Coonawarra wine region, SA’s second-largest city Mount Gambier, and beach hotspots like Robe and Kingston. 

Tourism plays an important role in the local economy, but leaders in the industry are worried prospective visitors are being forced away due to a lack of accommodation, or not enough variety. 

Coonawarra Vignerons chief executive Hugh Koch said there were about 200 accommodation beds in the region, which were snapped up quickly during busy periods. 

He said it was a high priority for his association. 

“We only need an extra 10 per cent, so an extra 20 beds,” he said.

“That extra 10 per cent would add so much more to our region.

“Every time there’s an event here or a wedding held in the region we struggle for accommodation. 

“Also, we find the cellar door sales are light-on for that period because once they visit one or two, there’s no else besides day trippers coming through.” 

Mr Koch said the region needed a range of options, from high-end hotels to cheap motels, to draw more people to the area. 

“That leisure market we’re referring to is really important going forward,” he said. 

“It’s not just high-end, that’s obviously a very important component to it, but there’s still need for other family accommodation and elsewhere in the towns as well.”

Variety the key

In Mount Gambier, the owner of the heritage-listed Oatmill Precinct has lodged plans to build a new 20-room, $10 million hotel in the middle of town. 

The proposal is part of a wider expansion and refurbishment of the precinct, which already includes the town’s cinema and a wine bar. 

Das Studio managing director Dino Vrynios said the development was desgined to fill the need for more “higher-end” accommodation. 

“It’s just building on the potential of what Mount Gambier has to offer and providing choice,” he said. 

“Our analysis identified it would likely be a combination of locals as well as interstate and potentially international [visitors]. 

“Part of the analysis was [asking], ‘How can we get this location to be part of a driving route from Melbourne to Adelaide?'” 

Mount Gambier mayor and Limestone Coast Local Government Association chair Lynette Martin agreed the region needed a “variety” of accommodation.

“There’s always the opportunity for development and we do welcome development across the Limestone Coast,” she said. 

“The more diverse offer we have, the more opportunity we have to attract a broad cross-section of visitors.”