Agritourism opportunity in focus with Limestone Coast workshop
A new workshop exploring the agritourism opportunity will bring together regional businesses to share practical insights and explore diversification opportunities across the Limestone Coast.
The Agritourism Opportunity: Limestone Coast workshop will provide practical insights and real-world examples, helping participants understand how agritourism can be applied in different settings and what it could look like for their business.
The initiative is a partnership between the Limestone Coast Regional Tourism Organisation (LCLGA), Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast (RDALC) and the Tourism Industry Council South Australia (TiCSA), reflecting a shared commitment to supporting regional industry.
Agritourism connects visitors with land, produce and place through a range of experiences, from stays and tours to tastings and behind-the-scenes access. It offers a way to build on the region’s strong agricultural base.
Nationally and internationally agritourism is a growing and increasingly valuable part of the visitor economy, with Tourism Research Australia reporting more than $20 billion per annum in visitor spend associated with agritourism experiences across Australia. The sector is providing higher-than-average visitor spend and contributing strongly to regional economic growth.
The workshop is designed for primary producers considering diversification into agritourism, or those wanting to better understand what agritourism could look like within their own operation. For many, it presents an opportunity to diversify income by sharing their land, story and products directly with visitors.
LCLGA Executive Officer Charlotte Edmunds said local government was supporting communities and industry through sustainable economic development and placemaking.
“The LCLGA recognises tourism is key to building a resilient and diverse Limestone Coast regional economy—creating sustainable business growth, supporting local entrepreneurship, and generating year-round business and employment opportunities.
“Within this growing sector of our economy there’s immense potential for agritourism in the Limestone Coast. The diversity of the regions food and wine sector combined with the growing visitation and our unique natural attractions marks significant opportunity for the Limestone Coast to capitalise on demand for agriculture-based visitor experiences.”
“Agritourism also offers primary producers an opportunity to diversify income, building business resilience by creating an alternative revenue stream that are less dependent on climate and market fluctuations,” said Ms Edmunds.
Limestone Coast Regional Tourism Manager, Kate Napper, said there was a range of opportunities to be considered as part of the larger agritourism trend.
“Agritourism will look slightly different for each and every business. This workshop will explore the different ways in which agritourism can operate and how it can translate to opportunities for individual businesses.” Ms Napper said.
“It’s an opportunity to hear from existing operators sharing real experiences and get a better sense of what’s involved before taking the next step.”
"Agritourism is more than an additional revenue stream; it is a catalyst for stronger, more connected regional communities. Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast proudly supports initiatives that help local producers diversify, share their stories, and build long-term economic resilience by better connecting agriculture with one of our fastest-growing sectors, tourism,” said Angela Cutting, Manager, Projects and Partnerships, Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast.
The RDALC supports all small businesses by building business resilience, tackling local challenges, and uncovering new opportunities for growth by developing strategies that reflect business goals, local conditions, and long-term vision. For some, this might include Agritourism and this workshop is a great opportunity to explore this potential.
The Limestone Coast has a long history of practical, adaptable and creative enterprise, whether through innovative farming practices, or small business initiatives.
Limestone Coast people are also known for their warmth, generosity, and hospitality, creating communities where visitors feel welcome. This creates the perfect opportunity by linking agriculture more directly to tourism, amplifying the region’s provenance credentials.
A key feature of the session is an agritourism panel featuring operators at different stages of their journey, including Narelle Zanker from Dairy Adventures (Mannum), Sue Bell of Bellwether Wines, and David Galpin from Warrawindi Retreats.
Participants will hear from those who have successfully established agritourism businesses, as well as experts who can help them start navigating the path ahead.
The sector is also being supported at both a national and state level, with Tourism Australia and the South Australian Tourism Commission releasing frameworks and resources to support agritourism development.
The initiative aligns with broader regional priorities, including the Limestone Coast Destination Management Plan 2026–2030, supporting a more diverse and resilient regional economy. Tourism has been one of the fastest-growing sectors of the Limestone Coast economy, providing sustainable and highly compatible economic contribution to complement the region’s strong performance in primary production.
The Agritourism Workshop will be held on Thursday 21 May from 1pm to 5pm at Bellwether Wines. Attendance is subsidised, with tickets available at $20 per participant.
More information and bookings are available via the TiCSA website.