Coffin Bay businesses boom as tourists explore new intrastate destination amid Covid-19 restrictions
The pandemic may have ground the tourism industry to a halt but South Australia’s backyard wanderlust has put this Eyre Peninsula town on the map.
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The pandemic brought international travel to a halt, it even interrupted domestic adventures but a tiny town on the tip of the Eyre Peninsula couldn’t be in more of a boom, according to local business owners.
Coffin Bay has never been so popular as tourists flock to the seaside destination known for its sand dunes and oysters.
At the local IGA Christopher Darby said he can’t deny the stability of being essential business owner has given him during the pandemic.
“Supermarkets have done alright out of Covid, there’s no secrets there,” Mr Darby said.
Since Covid-19 hit he says majority of his customers have been South Australian tourists who had never visited the area before.
“Winter used to be a solid quiet three months here but gradually people have been coming into town for winter holidays too,” he said.
“We used to lose a lot of our locals who would head for the sun in Queensland and Western Australia, but they haven’t been able to do that for two years so they’re exploring their own backyard.”
Chris Hank, owner of Experience Coffin Bay, echoes the strong South Aussie representation in his customer base too.
Despite setbacks with interstate cancellations and having to reduce tour passenger numbers to comply with restrictions, Mr Hank said business has been steady.
“We ran a bit scared for a while there,” Mr Hank said.
“We thought ‘maybe we would have to shut down over winter’ but we didn’t.”
Now back operating at full capacity, Mr Hank said their brand new, larger touring vessel has “really taken off” with SA tourists and those interstate visitors who missed out still planning to make it to Coffin Bay.
For Oyster HQ owners Kim and Ben Catterall business has never been better.
“The only challenge we’ve faced is getting staff since the pause of international travel,” Mr Catterall said.
The pair have dedicated a property to house some of their current backpacking employees as the region continues to experience a housing shortage.
Expats Clare Martin and chef husband Andrew Williams took Covid as an opportunity to settle in Coffin Bay and take ownership of 1802 Oyster Bar.
“Covid certainly tested our creativity but customers kept us on our toes seven days a week when we could only serve takeaway for four months,” Ms Martin said.
“We have a very loyal, local customer base and people who have shacks here but tourist have been here all year, even in the middle of horrible, wet, windy September – it’s actually put us on the map.”
The pair anticipate another busy summer for the already bustling region and are excited to welcome a new chef to their team and a new menu.
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