Plans to introduce glamping accommodations at South Australia’s Dingley Dell Conservation Park are drawing mixed reactions from community members, heritage advocates, and government authorities as the site awaits the release of a new management plan.
The park, which includes the historic home of 19th-century poet Adam Lindsay Gordon, has largely remained closed since the leaseholders vacated in 2020, with only occasional open days held in the years since.
A proposal to install up to 20 glamping tents at the site was introduced in 2021, when Stephen Moignard received $233,000 in government funding to support the project.
Moignard, an entrepreneur known for founding tech ventures during the dot-com boom and now the operator of Coonawarra Bush Holiday Park, has expressed frustration over delays stemming from the ongoing development of a park management plan.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service initially indicated the plan would be ready by the end of 2024, but has since moved the timeline forward, stating the plan should be released in June.
“But we’re inching forward with it now,” Moignard said in a statement to the ABC.
The project has faced skepticism from heritage groups concerned about preserving the character of the historic site.
During a recent open day held by the Adam Lindsay Gordon Commemorative Committee, treasurer Lorraine Day voiced reservations. “It’s got to be done properly and certainly not the amount [of glamping tents] that was planned to be erected there,” she said.
The open day, attended by around 70 visitors, served as both a community event and an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on the park’s future.
Park manager Nick McIntyre acknowledged the challenges of balancing development with preservation, noting that recent consultations had revealed divergent community interests.
“It becomes a matter of trying to join and relate and work through those various issues… and just trying to get a good match of some of the aspirations for the site,” he said.
McIntyre also noted that occasional open days tend to attract more interest than regular visiting hours.
“Not only does it build an awareness of the history and the heritage associated with Dingley Dell, it keeps the memory and the spirit of Adam Lindsay Gordon alive,” he said.
While some visitors expressed concerns that modern tourism infrastructure could detract from the site’s historic ambiance, others acknowledged the potential to broaden the park’s appeal.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality sector, the unfolding situation highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement, clear planning frameworks, and adaptive reuse of heritage sites.
As demand grows for experiential travel options like glamping, navigating these dynamics will be crucial for operators looking to develop offerings in or near culturally significant areas.
The Dingley Dell site, located near Port MacDonnell in South Australia’s south-east, was purchased by Gordon in 1862. Gordon, born in England in 1833, became known for his bush poetry and equestrian themes.
His most famous collection, Bush Ballads and Galloping Rhymes, was published in 1870, a day before his death. He remains the only Australian poet commemorated at Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey.
With the release of the new management plan expected in June, the future of glamping at Dingley Dell remains uncertain as stakeholders await further details.