THE Riverland is bracing for an influx of visitors ahead of the Easter long weekend, with most camping spots already booked out.
In a polar opposite to last year’s Easter long weekend when businesses were forced to shut and travel was discouraged due to COVID, accommodation is nearing capacity and the region is eager to welcome visitors.
Earlier in the week campsites were still available in several Riverland national parks including, Danggali Conservation Park and Wilderness Protection area, Karte Conservation Park and Ngarkat Conservation Park.
However, remaining spots are tipped to be quickly snapped up.
Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said it is a welcome change to be encouraging people to get out and about this Easter.
“A year ago we were asking South Australians to stay at home and not head to regional South Australia over Easter,” he said.
“Thanks to the co-operation and hard work of everyone over the past 12 months we are now in a position where South Australia is one of the safest and strongest places to be in the world.
“Easter is a perfect time to get away with the family, and to have many of our national parks right across the state fully booked out already is a great sign.
“This will provide a significant economic boost to our regions at a time when it is needed most as we continue to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We know how much South Australians value the natural environment which is why the Marshall Liberal Government is investing a record $130 million in our national parks to improve conservation and increase visitor numbers.”
Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone echoed Mr Speirs’ comments, saying it is a relief to be welcoming visitors this year.
“Thankfully, we are seeing a very different story to this time last year when we were asking our community to stay home and visitors to delay their trip to the Riverland,” he said.
“Twelve months on I couldn’t be happier to watch the Riverland tourism sector continue to grow and thrive.
“Camping in the Riverland at Easter is a long-held tradition for many families and a busy trade over the long weekend will give our region a welcome economic boost.
“I would remind anyone who is camping in our region to leave your campsites as you find them, take your rubbish home with you and leave the natural environment untouched.
“Our region has some of the best and most unique camping locations in Australia and it’s exciting to be able to once again welcome people to experience it for themselves.
“It’s because of the co-operation we saw from our community last year, adhering to the government guidelines, that we find ourselves in this enviable position to much of the world.
“Don’t forget to leave your fruit and veg at home to play your role in helping our farmers eradicate fruit fly.”