When Catherine and Brett Hein took over as operators of a Renmark caravan park three-and-a-half years ago, never could they have envisaged the journey they were about to take.
They experienced the height of the interstate grey nomad travel boom and the challenges of closed borders and COVID restrictions.
Despite this, what is clear is that the Hein family have left a lasting imprint on the local community and travellers alike.
After previous ventures in park management along the Great Ocean Road at Wye River, Halls Gap in the Grampians and the Hopkins River in Warrnambool, the Heins decided it was time for a new adventure in their home state.
"We loved the river, loved the Riverland; the whole region is a beautiful place to live and to visit," Ms Hein said.
In the heart of the Riverland, the park is a comfortable 24 kilometres from the Victorian border and is a mainstay for interstate travellers.
"People from all the eastern states; people from Western Australia, the Northern Territory, would all pass through," Ms Hein said.
But like many tourism operators across South Australia, managing the ever-changing market due to the pandemic was a challenge.
"You have all the angst with so many people travelling that all of a sudden can't get across the border," Ms Hein said.
In 2020 and 2021, the couple hosted a camp oven festival, celebrating the wholesome camp-side tradition with a cook-off competition for best damper, best mains and best dessert.
Meanwhile, Mr Hein took to social media daily, sharing serene river scenes, sunrises and sunsets to engage their clientele who could not yet make the trip over.
When the pair announced they were sailing ship from the Riverland to begin a new adventure in the Barossa region, they sparked a rush of well wishes from enamoured guests and locals.
Folks from far and wide wished them all the best on their new journey, thanking them for their unwavering hospitality, and congratulating them for being great ambassadors for the region.
"It was so beautiful," Ms Hein said.
"The outpouring of support and so many people saying how much they'll miss (Brett's) photos every morning is really, really heartwarming."
From hosts to guests, a new adventure awaits
Packing into their newly renovated 1976 Quest caravan, the Hein family are now ready to switch roles and explore Australia, this time as holiday-makers themselves.
"We'd like to go to Port Lincoln ... we love it down there," Ms Hein said.
"Possibly head to Warrnambool ... we've only been back once since we left there," she said.
And while they will no longer be living and working at their beloved Riverland caravan park, this is certainly not the last they have seen of it.
"We're planning a trip up on the March long weekend," Ms Hein said.
"So, we're taking our little retro van that we've done up ... and actually get to stay in the park as visitors," she said.
"I'm really looking forward to that."
