Mt Lofty Adventure Hub reopens to the public as COVID-19 restrictions ease
COVID-19 forced it to close for the past three months, but a popular Adelaide Hills adventure hub is now back in business. It’s not the only Hills business reopening.
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One of the Adelaide Hills premier tourist destinations is back open for business after being forced to shut its gates for the past three months.
The Mount Lofty Adventure Hub in Piccadilly hosted its first public open day at the weekend, after COVID-19 restrictions imposed a temporary shutdown of the facility.
Wilderness Escape – which runs the hub – will also restart small group excursions and camps from Monday after vital discussions with health and state government representatives last week.
General manager Luke Duncan said it was “the first step” for state tourism operators to restart their businesses.
“The Department of Education restricted camps on March 18 – so since then, we haven’t been allowed to earn a dollar,” he said.
“I pushed the issue pretty hard with the government and even tried to apply for funds for our entire school camp sector but the treasurer denied it, saying it wasn't core industry.
“It was disappointing but finally last week, Nicola Spurrier contacted me and said, ‘let’s sit down and have a look at how we can reopen your sector to get it going again’.
“It’s a huge win for opening up outdoor education and outdoor tourism again.”
Mr Duncan said The Mount Lofty Adventure Hub – which sits on the lands of the Woodhouse Activity Centre – would now open to the general public each Saturday and Sunday as well for pre-booked group activities.
Activities include tree-based challenge ropes courses, climbing and abseil walls, SA’s longest zip line, and a three-person mega swing.
“It’s a lot of fun and one of our main mottos is that this is not just for kids,” he said.
“It’s for everyone and we’re happy to be back in business.”
Adelaide Hills Tourism Chairwoman Helen Edwards said Monday’s lifting of restrictions mean the region was finally back in business.
She said regional tourism contributed to 44 per cent of South Australia’s visitor revenue, with the Hills a driving force in social, cultural and economic sustainability, and – more importantly – job growth.
Ms Edwards said she urged visitors to make the most of SA’s new-found freedom.
“Our Hills community and tourism businesses have a new sense of humanity and resilience since both the fires and COVID,” she said.
“So we encourage visitors to go back to their favourite places, with the spaces and the experience will be different and refreshed.
“Melbas Chocolate in Woodside, for example, have 1.5-metre social distancing chocolate tubes, while Woodhouse Activity Centre, just five minutes from Stirling, are offering school camps for groups of 20 grown-ups.
“Ambleside Distillery has delicious gin and now their very own distillery also sells hand sanitiser.”
