Mount Barker to build $50m, 120-room hotel beside Summit Sport and Recreation Park

A four-star hotel would be built alongside a oval that’s hosted Gather Round matches, with a $15m wellness centre and massive adventure playground also planned.

An artist impression for a proposed $50m, four-star hotel at Mount Barker at the Summit Precinct, which includes the Summit Sport and Recreation Park. Picture: Studio Nine Architects

A $50m, four-star hotel would be built beside Mount Barker’s Summit Sport Park as the local council moves to realise its long-held vision to transform the area into a “premier, national-level” sport, recreation and tourism destination.

The 120-room hotel would be built on the 50ha council-owned stretch of land at Summit Precinct on Springs Rd, which includes the under-construction aquatic centre opposite the Laratinga wetlands.

A wetlands trail extension and massive adventure playground are among other plans for the site as Mount Barker Council seeks to boost visitor numbers and build high-quality accommodation beside a potential AFL Gather Round venue.

Mount Barker hosted Gather Round matches in the first two years but lost the AFL games to the Barossa this year.

An artist impression for a proposed $50m, four-star hotel at Mount Barker at the Summit Precinct, which includes the Summit Sport and Recreation Park. Picture: Studio Nine Architects

The Giants’ Jake Riccardi and Suns’ Mac Andrew during the AFL Gather Round match at Mount Barker in 2024. Picture Phil Hillyard

The council has selected SA property developers Accord Property – which also plans a $15m wellness centre at the hotel in the future – to develop the site into an entertainment and leisure precinct.

Accord Property has secured a “high-profile brand to operate the hotel, managing director Lachy Hogarth said, but did not reveal who it was.

He said the hotel was a catalyst for further investment in The Summit Precinct.

“This hotel marks the beginning of something much larger – it is the centrepiece of a vibrant new precinct that will attract visitors, create jobs, and elevate the region’s tourism appeal,” Mr Hogarth said.

“As the precinct evolves, a planned $15m wellness centre will be integrated with the hotel in future stages, further enhancing the visitor experience and establishing the region as a sought-after destination for tourism and leisure.”

The Summit precinct will one day also boast conference facilities and recreation spaces as the council seeks to boost Mount Barker’s visitor capacity, attract private investment and become a must-visit tourism destination.

An artist impression for a proposed $50m, four-star hotel at Mount Barker at the Summit Precinct, which includes the Summit Sport and Recreation Park. Picture: Studio Nine Architects

A map showing where the proposed $50m hotel would go on the Summit Precinct at Mount Barker. Picture: Supplied

The AFL Gather Round match between Swans and Eagle at Mount Barker in April last year. Picture Phil Hillyard

The town is one of Australia’s fast growing regions, welcoming about 1000 more people a year.

It’s the second major hotel announced in the past four months, with the Wallis family – which owns and operates the Wallis cinemas – planning a 100-room, four-star hotel at their Mount Barker cinema.

Mayor David Leach said the hotel was an opportunity for the city to create “a premier, national-level tourism, sport, recreation and events destination”.

“(It) has the potential to generate further private sector interest to secure investment in additional tourism accommodation, events facilities and recreation opportunities at The Summit Precinct,” he said.

“This, in turn, would create considerable local employment and direct and indirect economic growth for our district.”

He said the hotel, combined with The Summit Sports Park and aquatic centre, would also position Mount Barker to attract more regional, state and national sporting and entertainment events.

The hotel development application will be assessed by the State Commission Assessment Panel.