Children ride free on Victor Harbor horse-drawn tram in August
Families are being encouraged to head to Victor Harbor during August, to take advantage of free horse-drawn tram rides for children to Granite Island.
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It may be the Horses’ Birthday this month but children will be the big winners under a plan to entice more families to Victor Harbor during the cooler months.
Children can ride the horse-drawn tram to Granite Island for free, all through August.
Thursday, August 1, marks the Horses’ Birthday in the southern hemisphere, and horse tram general manager Meg Whibley says organisers saw it as the perfect opportunity to inspire locals and tourists to head back to Granite Island.
Victor Harbor has suffered a difficult year, after the horse-drawn tram service was suspended for five months following concerns around the Granite Island Causeway’s structural integrity.
In June, the Clydesdales returned to the landmark after temporary restoration works were completed, and the State Government has budgeted $20 million for a longer-term fix to the State Heritage-listed structure.
Mrs Whibley says families can save $7 per child each time they take a return trip out to Granite Island during August.
“We still have the whales around and it’s still a perfect time of year to get out and about,” she says.
Promotion of the free rides will support local traders, as many visitors still comment that they did not realise the tram was back up and running.
Encounter Bay sisters Harriet, 5, and Lexi, 4, love taking the horse-drawn tram to Granite Island.
“I can see up from really high,” Lexi says.
She also enjoys watching out for the horses in their paddock while travelling to kindergarten.
Free rides are available for children up to 13 years old, with an accompanying, paying, adult.
michelle.etheridge@news.com.au