Summer boost for Victor Harbor’s tourism scene, with work to start soon on refurbishing Granite Island restaurant site
VICTOR Harbor’s Granite Island could have a kiosk for the first time in years this summer, as the open-air aquarium revitalises the town’s tourist scene.
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VICTOR Harbor’s Granite Island would have a kiosk for the first time in three years this summer, under plans to help boost the town’s tourist scene.
Oceanic Victor hopes to next month begin refurbishing the island’s former restaurant site, which has been closed for three years, in a bid to open a kiosk there in time for the warmer months.
September also marks a year since the business introduced its in-sea aquarium to the town.
Port Lincoln-based owners Mick Dyer and Yasmin Stehr hope a kiosk, along with the island’s little penguin tours and aquarium, will help keep visitors in the area for longer.
That would be followed by a restaurant inside the building, which Mrs Stehr said would allow locals and tourists make the most of the island’s “million-dollar views”.
The pair were yet to decide whether the restaurant — leased from the State Government — would be open year-round, or only for the six warmest months of the year, but it could potentially also be used to host weddings and other functions.
It would need a full refurbishment, along with new decking.
“From day one this summer I’d love for a really beautiful kiosk to be there,” Mrs Stehr said.
“I love organic food and we’re used to really good seafood here in Port Lincoln so I have access to that.”
The restaurant, to follow later, could offer acoustic music and a selection of gourmet dishes.
“This place is crying out to have something done,” Mrs Stehr said.
“My aim is to have music on the weekends and maybe you could sit there and have a port and a tasting platter.”
Mr Dyer said the couple’s aquarium experience was going well.
“We’re expecting to have a big summer, because people know we’re here now,” Mr Dyer said.
During the cooler months, Oceanic Victor has been attracting steady interest from school groups keen to see the animals in Encounter Marine Park, including tuna, starfish, crayfish, abalone and seadragons.
Meantime, Victor Harbor Mayor Graham Philp said his council was still investigating a partnership with the State Government to build a dock to entice cruise ships to the harbour.
“Cruise ships would come around between October and April …(and) best case we’d be looking at about five if we’re lucky and maybe build up from there,” Mr Philp said.
The council will on Monday consider a report on the project, with staff recommending it works with the government to design boating infrastructure near Granite Island’s Screw Pile Jetty.
Staff have recommended preparing a business case for the project, in a bid to win funding.
Another recent drawcard has been the sculptures erected around Granite Island, which Mr Philp said had become a local talking point.
His council’s chief executive, Victoria MacKirdy, said Sculpture Encounters — Granite Island built on the town’s growing arts industry, which was boosting its tourism economy.
“There is now so much more for people to discover in Victor Harbor, and I can see that this is something that will only grow into the future, making it a destination for the arts, as well as nature and fun,” Ms MacKirdy said.
“We’re also attracting complementary new events such as The Sailing Club boutique food and wine event which debuted last year in Victor Harbor and will return again over the New Year’s Eve period.”
In the lead-up to Swim with Tuna launching last year, some locals had raised concerns that it would draw sharks to the area — but Ms MacKirdy said the council had received no reports of increased activity.
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