Activating Tourism
Mount Barker is at the heart of the Adelaide Hills. The district and surrounding region offers first-class experiences and destinations.
The climate, landscape and environment, culture, heritage and
the food, wine and other products that are grown and sold here are attractive to international, interstate and intrastate visitors, from day trippers to those who stay on for holidays.
The towns and landscapes that inspired Sir Hans Heysen are bursting with potential for a sustainable tourism product and there is an opportunity to better link the visitor economy to our culture, heritage, agriculture and
natural environments.
With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are excellent prospects for attracting intra- and inter-state tourism throughout the year.
What’s already happening
Tourism Activation is already happening in the Mount Barker district, with examples including:
- The Cedars redevelopment (Heysen Foundation)
- Adelaide Hills Tourism support and visitor information provision
- trails including the Heysen, Kidman and Epicurean trails and the proposed Adelaide Wine Capital Cycle Trail
- Landscape protection and our World Heritage bid (in conjunction with regional partners)
- main street projects including in Gawler street Mount Barker, Nairne, Littlehampton and other district towns.
Priority partners
Business and other commercial operators, community organisations, social enterprises, government organisations as well as many informal local groups can work together to resource and realise the Tourism Activation priority.
These partners include:
- Adelaide Hills Tourism
- South Australian Tourism Commission
- neighbouring councils (Alexandrina, Adelaide Hills, Onkaparinga,
Murray Bridge) - Regional Development Australia
- the wine and beverage industry, including peak bodies such as the Adelaide Hills Wine Region
- the horticultural industry (e.g. Apple and Pear Growers Association and Cherry Growers Association)
- restaurants, cafes, hotels and other hospitality and
accommodation providers - recreational peak bodies (e.g. Bike SA, Horse SA, Walk SA)
- arts organisations (e.g. Festivals Adelaide, Arts SA, the Australia Council, The Adelaide Festival, The Adelaide Fringe, Country Arts SA)
- History SA and the National Trust
- museums and galleries.
If you have a project or partnership you would like to discuss with us, email connect@mountbarker.sa.gov.au.