Riverland tourists cancel holidays, head to SA’s coast amid rising floodwaters

As if the floods weren’t bad enough, now the Riverland region is set to forgo “millions” as the rising river scares people off.

Holiday-makers are flocking to coastal caravan parks after cancelling Riverland accommodation amid rising floodwaters – costing the region “millions”.

Caravan-park owners from along the state’s coast have experienced an influx of calls from Riverland holiday hopefuls who had to cancel their stays last-minute because of flood risk.

“Quite a few people ringing specifically saying they can’t go to the Riverland anymore and are hoping to book here instead,” owner of Port Vincent Caravan Park and Seaside Cabins, Sharon Haydon said.

Ms Haydon is not only one. with many caravan-park owners receiving frantic calls from holiday-makers hoping to secure a place.

This year, Peter Bates and his family friends broke their 26-year-long tradition of camping along the River Murray as rising floodwaters threatened to engulf their usual spot at Blanchetown.

What started as a group of eight has turned into 36 people, gathering to canoe and water ski on the river at Roonka Water Activity Centre.

However, this year, their much-loved tradition was cut short.

Four families have gathered at Roonka Water Activity Centre every year for the last 26 years, but rising floodwaters in the Riverland mean they will have to go somewhere else. Picture: Supplied

“The floods have changed everything,” Mr Bates said. “The flood waters at Roonka have meant there are no water activities available there.

“While the dormitories there are not inundated (with water) it’s very close.”

The group managed to secure a booking at Second Valley Caravan Park instead.

Mr Bates anticipates the trip will be “a bit different” to what they’re used to, especially without options to water ski and canoe along the river but the group was looking forward to cliff jumping and fishing instead.

Children water skiing on the River Murray at Roonka Water Activity Centre. Picture: Supplied

Renmark Paringa Mayor Peter Hunter has said the Riverland region is on track to lose “millions” due to tourists cancelling trips, saying one large caravan park had more than 1000 cancellations and 600 booking changes within the past week.

“It will be worse than the pandemic,” he said.

But the mayor said those visiting the Riverland should “not be scared or worried”.

Despite the region remaining “safe” to visit according to the mayor, news of floods prompted Karen Elaine Butler to cancel her booking with BIG4 Riverland Riverfront.

“We made the decision to cancel our trip as it does not feel safe at this stage,” she said.

Ms Butler had booked to stay in the caravan park with her family including her one-year-old twins and three-year-old child.

“We really cannot take the risk of being stranded or evacuated last-minute,” she said.

“Leaving to just go the shops is an ordeal let alone leaving in an emergency situation.

“BIG4 were completely understanding though and we hope we can make it there in the new year.”