Karoonda Tourist Park takes home Bronze at the 2023 South Australian Tourism Awards
The Karoonda Tourist Park is thrilled to announce its recent achievement of winning Bronze at the 2023 South Australian Tourism Awards in the Caravan and Holiday Parks category.
These awards recognise and celebrate the exceptional achievements of tourism businesses that have consistently demonstrated excellence and success throughout the year.
In a highly competitive field, the Karoonda Tourist Park faced strong contenders, with the Gold awarded to BIG4 West Beach Parks and the Silver going to Yorke Peninsula’s Minlaton Caravan Park.
Owned and managed by the District Council of Karoonda East Murray, the Karoonda Tourist Park has undergone significant development and upgrades over the past few years. These enhancements include the installation of three eco-friendly cabins which are powered by solar and battery technology with all water being reused on the surrounding gardens.
Additionally, four drive-thru sites were added, increasing the powered site capacity from 8 to 12. A purpose built communal camp kitchen with dual BBQ hot plates, a microwave, toaster, and kettle, as well as a fire-pit area for cooler months, have been introduced to enhance the visitor experience.
Council’s Chief Executive Officer Martin Borgas says: “95% of this development has been delivered by council staff which has produced a result that will continue to benefit the community for many years to come. Continuing to punch well above our weight, it has only been through careful planning and staff involvement that we have delivered such an awesome result.”
The Karoonda Tourist Park's redevelopment has resulted in a significant increase in patronage. Caravan and RV clubs and many families now make advanced bookings for their annual getaways. The team’s dedication to creating and maintaining a welcoming and sustainable environment has clearly paid off.
Local Mayor, Caroline Phillips, expressed her enthusiasm about the achievement, stating, "Winning bronze at the South Australian Tourism Awards is huge for our region. The achievement not only highlights the outstanding quality of our local tourism offering, but it's also a testament to the hard work and dedication of council staff to get the park to where it is today."
She continued, "For us, awards like these are all about working to build the reputation of our district as a place for visitors to stop, stay and explore. The money visitors spend at our local businesses helps to build their resilience and offerings to not only tourists but residents too. Leveraging the visitor economy in the long term means business growth and jobs, and these are the outcomes which drive our tourism strategy."
The Karoonda Tourist Park is delighted to receive this honour and is committed to continuing its efforts to provide an exceptional experience for visitors while contributing to the growth and prosperity of the local community.
About Karoonda Tourist Park:
Karoonda Tourist Park is located in the town of Karoonda, South Australia.
Managed by the District Council of Karoonda East Murray, the park offers a range of modern amenities, powered grass and gravel sites, eco-friendly accommodations, and a welcoming environment for tourists and travellers seeking a quiet escape in the heart of the South Australian Mallee.
Visit https://www.karoonda.com/stay/caravan-tourist-parks to learn more.
Media Contacts:
Sarah Murdoch
Economic Development, Tourism and Communications Officer
District Council of Karoonda East Murray
sarah.m@dckem.sa.gov.au
P: (08) 8578 1004
Martin Borgas
Chief Executive Officer
District Council of Karoonda East Murray
martin.b@dckem.sa.gov.au
P: (08) 8578 1004
M: 0468 348 777