As school bells ring one last time, signalling the beginning of holidays, South Australia has another reason to celebrate. The state is witnessing a tourism boom, with a record-breaking visitor spend that’s making headlines.
The figures are staggering. Over the past year leading up to June 2023, regional South Australia has seen visitor expenditure surge to a whopping $4.7 billion. To put it in perspective, this figure eclipses the projected target of $4.0 billion for 2025, as per data from Tourism Research Australia.
From the rustic charm of the Adelaide Hills to the picturesque landscapes of the Fleurieu Peninsula, eight of the state’s 11 tourism hotspots have registered record-high visitor spends. In fact, 10 out of these 11 regions have outperformed their tourism targets laid down in the 2025 South Australian Regional Visitor Strategy. These achievements reflect the resilience of the intrastate market and the gradual revival of the international market.
These soaring numbers come at a great time. With the onset of school holidays, the tourism sector is bracing for an even bigger influx of visitors. If you’re planning on traveling out of Adelaide, make sure to check out the jam-packed regional event calendar. Events include the tantalising Grenache and Gourmet on the Fleurieu Peninsula, the Ceduna Oysterfest in Eyre Peninsula, and the Riverland Rose & Garden Festival, to name a few.
Diving deeper into the figures, regions such as the Adelaide Hills, Flinders Ranges & Outback, and Kangaroo Island have been particular standouts. For instance, Fleurieu Peninsula alone has generated an impressive $834 million, while the Limestone Coast has attracted a visitor spend of $565 million.
Minister Zoe Bettison weighed in on the state’s success, stating, “Emerging from the pandemic’s shadow, it’s heartening to see our regions put up such a strong performance. The changing face of South Australia’s tourism is evident in the latest figures. With school holidays upon us, I urge South Australians to explore the myriad wonders our state has to offer and welcome interstate visitors to experience our unparalleled landscapes and world-class attractions.”
Further amplifying the success story, Seb Packer, Managing Director at TreeClimb, shared their own triumph. “TreeClimb has had a bumper year, far exceeding all expectations. We’re now seeing a huge rise in interstate and overseas tourists to all our sites.” he said. He further added, “Based on our forward bookings our newly opened Kuitpo Forest TreeClimb is again set for a really strong holiday period. There’s no doubt we’re seeing a surge in visitors to the Fleurieu area with well over 45,000 visitors hitting the treetops at TreeClimb Kuitpo since we opened just over 9 months ago, well above our early estimates.”
Regional events to check out:
- Grenache and Gourmet (Fleurieu Peninsula): 15 September – 1 October
- Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations (Limestone Coast): 29 September – 31 October
- Ceduna Oysterfest (Eyre Peninsula): 30 September – 1 October
- Anlaby Spring Festival (Barossa Valley): 14 – 15 October
- TPS South Australia (Fleurieu Peninsula): 19 October – 22 October
- Bay to Birdwood (Adelaide Hills): 22 October
- Riverland Rose & Garden Festival (Riverland): 20 – 29 October
- Handpicked Festival (Fleurieu Peninsula): 11 November
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