Port Augusta Tourism Development Strategy 2025–2030 Released

The Port Augusta Tourism Development Strategy 2025–2030 has now been released and shared with the community, marking an important milestone for the future of tourism in the region.

It has been a privilege to contribute to this strategy during 2025, working alongside Port Augusta City Council, local tourism operators, community members and industry partners to co-design a shared plan for growing Port Augusta’s visitor economy in a way that reflects local values and delivers genuine community benefit.

View a copy here: Port Augusta Tourism Development Strategy 2025-30

At its core, the strategy focuses on turning transit into time well spent — positioning Port Augusta as more than a gateway and encouraging self-drive visitors to slow down, stay longer and connect more deeply with the coastal city’s stories, landscapes and people.

The strategy is guided by five strategic pillars, providing a clear framework for future investment, collaboration and destination development across priority areas including:

• Place Activation & Destination Appeal

• Product Development

• Partnerships & Investment

• Destination Marketing

• Ecotourism & Community Stewardship

The strategy highlights a number of flagship opportunities that will help shape Port Augusta’s next chapter as a welcoming, experience-led and future-focused destination. Key priorities include:

• Transformation of the wharf precinct and foreshore, supported by an upcoming $15 million upgrade

• Activation of the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden as a national leader in regenerative tourism and nature-based experiences

• Renewal of the Wadlata Outback Centre to enhance visitor engagement and storytelling

• Strategic positioning of Port Augusta Central Oval as a regional events and conferencing hub

• Strengthening hero assets including the Pichi Richi Railway and Yarta Purtli Gallery

The strategy also recognises that tourism growth relies on more than infrastructure and marketing — it relies on people.

With strong community input, the plan highlights the importance of future workforce supply and skills development, supported by the emerging Port Augusta Technical College, which will play a critical role in developing local capability and empowering future leaders across hospitality and tourism.

The Port Augusta Tourism Development Strategy 2025–2030 is designed as a shared roadmap and practical tool for:

• Local tourism operators

• Aboriginal businesses and cultural custodians

• Council and public sector partners

• Regional development organisations

• Investors and collaborators

• Residents and community leaders, including Business Port Augusta

• Visitors who care about the places they explore

This strategy sets a strong foundation for coordinated action, investment attraction and destination development over the next five years. I’m incredibly proud to have contributed to this strategy and look forward to seeing Port Augusta’s visitor economy grow through a shared commitment to place, community and long-term value.

Speak to Alex Brown Project Company about your next regional tourism or community project, make contact here.

support SA’s tourism and hospitality industry this summer.

2022 has started off not as we expected here in South Australia. After an already challenging two years for the tourism, hospitality and retail industries navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, the Summer of 2021/2022 was looking positive for our visitor economy.

The reopening of borders and the arrival of the Omicron variant has seen a surge in case numbers causing government to place new restrictions on businesses during peak season. As a result, many businesses are reporting that they’re struggling to stay open and the relentless media coverage on daily case numbers is affecting consumer confidence.

There are so many businesses that need support right now. If you can - enjoy a coffee or a meal at an outdoor area, take away is also a great option as well as supporting small and independent stores.

If you are ready to venture out and try something new, here’s a bit of inspo in Adelaide and surrounds – and are on my list to visit this Summer:

• Dowie Doole Tasting Pod – gorgeous architecturally designed space set amongst their vineyards.

• Paxton Wines – enjoy organic and bio-dynamic wines at the outdoor seating and spacious lawn area.

• Pizzateca at Silver Sands pop-up – Southern Italian pizza at Aldinga with absolute beachfront views, say no more!

• Olivers Taranga - Hop onboard ‘Ollie’ for a privately hosted Taranga Terroir experience to taste wines in the vines.

• Berg Herring Wines – Taste small batch McLaren Vale wines on the spacious lawn area

• Fox Creek Wines – Open air cinema

• Ambleside Distillers – Gin tasting on the open-air deck. Image credit: @marion_foodie

• Beerenberg Strawberry Farm - Strawberry picking. Image credit: @mishell.bz

• Book a CBD short break – Crown Plaza Adelaide. Image credit: @sarah.pretty

• Spaarke at the Whitmore - Enjoy a meal on the upstairs open air deck

Tips for business:

• Communication is key: Inform customers of your hygiene, cleaning and physical distancing measures by ensuring you have some Covid Safe FAQ’s (things to know) on your website.

• Communicate to your customers that they can have a covid safe experience with your business. Try creating a promotional reel on your social media channels showing a customer having a covid safe experience. Promote your open-air experiences, dining and take-away options and new products to drive demand.

• Stay up to date with latest travel advice and testing requirements and add a link to the SA health website so customers can easily access this information.

• Encourage customers to book ahead due to reduced capacity limits.

• Promote precautions that staff are taking to be Covid safe and highlight their staff training.

• Ask visitors to show vaccination status upon check-in.

• Complete the Tourism Industry Council of SA’s Covid-19 Accreditation – Covid Vaxx Practicing Business and Covid Clean modules.

• Promote your social media channels at your venue to encourage visitors to follow and share content.

• Ask for customer reviews to grow your online presence.