South Australia’s West Beach Parks invests $7.5 million to enhance the visitor experience

West Beach Parks - one of South Australia’s favourite holiday, sport and adventure destinations - is investing a record $7.5 million this year to enhance the visitor experience by building new holiday accommodations, a state-of-the-art inclusive play space, and upgrades to facilities.

West Beach Parks is a multi-award-winning precinct set on 1.2 kilometres of coastline in the Adelaide suburb of West Beach.

The most significant investment is going into The Retreat at West Beach Parks with the construction of 15 new environmentally sustainable, modern two-bedroom holiday shacks. This project aims to meet the increased demand for high-quality beachside holiday accommodation close to Adelaide, whether they are locals enjoying a ‘staycation’ or visitors from the regions, interstate or overseas. West Beach Parks has partnered with local builder Centina on this $4 million project.

In the heart of the BIG4 Holiday Park, a major development, Central Park, is underway to create an inclusive and dynamic adventure play space for BIG4 guests that will include a flying fox, climbing and slide equipment, and accessible play equipment.

Both The Retreat’s new holiday shacks and the BIG4 Holiday Park’s play space will be ready for summer 2023.

West Beach Parks Chief Executive, Kate Anderson, said last summer, the precinct posted record accommodation numbers and this year’s $7.5 million investment aims to attract new visitors.

Anderson enthused “we are excited to deliver by the end of the year on key investment projects to cater to the growing domestic tourism market.

“Staycations are continuing to prove to be an affordable and preferred holiday option for many South Australians and the diverse offerings we provide both at The Retreat and at the BIG4 Holiday Park, present attractive holiday options for every holidaymaker.

“Our scenic coastal location near the city adds to the allure for visitors, additionally Adelaide is fast becoming a nationally preferred holiday destination with an enviable events program that so far this year included the AFL Gather Round and LIV Golf. Future events will continue to lure new and returning visitors to the city and West Beach Parks with the upcoming Australian Masters Games and returning events such as VAILO Adelaide 500.

“We are also allocating resources to our environmental sustainability plan as we take very seriously our role as custodians of the West Beach Recreation Reserve responsible for managing an area with significant natural assets including the coastal park, the boat ramp, the Patawalonga Creek line, and leisure and sporting facilities for today and for future generations.

“This year demonstrates our continued commitment to investing in West Beach Parks for future generations.”

West Beach Parks’ capital investment will no doubt contribute towards the state’s growing tourism industry which contributed $8.3 billion to the South Australian economy in 2022, surpassing post-COVID projections.

Visitors to the precinct this Summer can expect to see many upgrades including the renovation of the reception building at the BIG4 Holiday Park, a new entry feature installed at the Barratt reserves, and enhanced landscaping throughout the destination. Meanwhile, West Beach Parks Golf unveiled its latest investment last month, the sport’s best virtual golf software, the Trackman Range, at its driving range bays.

WEST BEACH PARKS
West Beach Parks spans more than one kilometre of metropolitan Adelaide coastline and is home to two accommodation properties in BIG4 West Beach Parks and The Retreat at West Beach Parks, public golf courses, a driving range, a golf academy, mini-golf, aerial adventure park, skate park, marina, sailing club, restaurant, café, and community sports facilities and fields.

2023 Summary of works include:

BIG4 West Beach Parks Renovated Reception area
•New accommodation
-Willy the Whiting Cabins (6)

Accommodation upgrades
-Freddy the Flying Fish Cabins (14)
-Ted the Turtle Cabins (8)
•New play space, Central Park, includes Flying fox, climbing and slide equipment, accessible play equipment, new paths, furniture, lighting and landscaping (launching November 2023)

The Retreat
•New accommodation
-15 new environmentally sustainable holiday shacks including beautification and landscaping of natural surroundings (launching November 2023)
•Upgrades
-Spinifex Shack
-Seadragon Shack West Beach Parks Golf
•Trackman Range Golf at driving range bays Sporting reserves
•New entry for Barrett reserves including signage, furniture, planting of new trees to create a boulevard experience, new fencing and safety bollards

The Boat Ramp

•Replacement of 24 sections of the existing pontoon launching lanes.

Images from top: West Beach Cabins Aerial; BIG4 Holiday Park Artist impressions of Central Park playground; West Beach Parks CEO Kate Anderson;