Recent natural disasters in the north of the country have diverted the flow of backpackers south, with many heading for places like the Limestone Coast in search of work.
As Coonawarra’s grape harvest approaches, backpackers have already begun flocking to the region, with some already amongst the vines for pre-harvest thinning.
German backpacker Kaya Reichardt, who recently arrived in Australia, said her plans to head north to the more tropical parts of the country were foiled when she found out there was a shortage of work available due to recent floods and Cyclone Yasi.
This led to her buying a van with her boyfriend and heading south on a trip before landing in Coonawarra, where she acquired a job thinning grape vines.
“I couldn’t get a fruit picking job in the north so we bought a van, but we broke down just out of town — then we were broke already,” she said.
South Australian Backpackers Industry Association (SABIA) founder Gary Lock said this was part of a wider trend that saw a huge increase in the movement of backpackers to the south.
“There is a huge shortage of work up north for backpackers and there was even before the natural disasters hit due to the popularity of the east coast amongst them,” he said.
“What they are finding upon their arrival south is that there is plenty of work.”
Mr Lock said hostel owners, employers and the tourism industry should be “jumping on” the opportunity to promote the region as “backpacker friendly”.
“If a place like Mount Gambier starts attracting backpackers, they will bring huge tourism to the region as they spread the word better than any tourist,” he said.
“However, their travel is somewhat dependent on work availability.”
Mr Lock urged businesses with work suitable for backpackers available to post their advertisements on SABIA’s website at www.backpackingsouthaustralia.com.au.
“Employers also need to realise that not all backpackers are sex and alcohol crazed teenagers — the average age now is 25 and most are qualified,” Mr Lock said.