Port Lincoln tour company Goin’ Off Safaris has seen an increase in visitation from the US, China and Hong Kong

Fourth-generation farmer David Doudle has spent 30 years exploring the lower Eyre Peninsula. He outlines how his adventure tour company Goin’ Off Safaris has grown since its 2005 origins.

Goin' Off Safaris managing director David Doudle

Fourth-generation farmer David Doudle has spent 30 years exploring the lower Eyre Peninsula. He outlines how his adventure tour company Goin’ Off Safaris has grown since its 2005 origins.

1. What has been the one major highlight for the business in the past 12 months?

Apart from an increase in sales in key markets such as the US, China and Hong Kong, we’ve also purchased our own guest accommodation. This is a very modern, 4-bedroom, fully self-contained beach house in the Port Lincoln Marina. We have a lot of guests that stay here and tour with us and we also provide the full catering and servicing option, complete with 3-course dinners. If you don’t want to tour, that’s fine too, you can just kick back on the deck and watch all the commercial fishing boats go to and from the marina!

2. Can you identify one major challenge for the business?

One of the major challenges is the increasing price of airfares to Port Lincoln, which I am sure is the same for many other regions. The number of flights from operators like REX and Qantaslink is great, but it is a very expensive route. We have found that this does impede travellers’ plans, and they do opt for an alternative touring destination. It is a long drive too, so we are a little hamstrung in this department, which can affect traffic. On the upside, this does also make the place so great as we are not inundated by hordes of travellers!

3. Any exciting project you are working on?

We are currently doing a complete rebrand with a new operating name, new website and collateral, which is exciting for us moving forward. The timing is right and the new name (Australian Coastal Safaris) will further highlight what we do, where we are and encourage more guests to travel with us. We are hoping for a launch of the new branding and website by the end of the year so watch this space!

4. Do you have any expansion plans currently underway or planned for the next 12 months?

We’ve had an incredibly busy last six months within our business, including new exciting packages focused on fishing and specific wildlife programs. We are very proud to be involved in two of Tourism Australia’s Signature Collections, with those being The Great Fishing Adventures of Australia and Australian Wildlife Journeys. Creating content for these has kept us busy enough, and with the rebranding and day-to-day touring, that has kept us busy enough!

5) What is your opinion of the state of the tourism industry in SA?

According to the reports given out from the SATC, it’s well on the up. These guys do a fantastic job in marketing the state, getting not only domestic visitation to SA, but the international traveller - the future is very bright. Our international numbers back up their results and there is so much to see and do in South Australia. We encourage travellers to spend more time out exploring, touring SA and making the most of their vacation time rather than travelling all across the country, not seeing as much from the air!