General News
9 February, 2024
“We can’t wait to return”
A SIMPLE post on Facebook about a South Australian couple’s visit to Camperdown has gone viral, with locals thrilled over the positive words from the visitors.
Jenny and Malcolm McEachern, who live in Naracoorte, South Australia, visited Camperdown over the Australia day long weekend to avoid the busy coastal season.
The pair took 21 photos of their trip, putting them onto a Facebook post which had reached 16,400 people.
Responses ranged from expressing pride and gratitude for the positive review, to expats reminiscing about their time in Camperdown.
Speaking with the Camperdown Chronicle, Mr and Ms McEachern said their decision to visit Camperdown started with a change of scenery decision made on a whim.
“Being South Australians, our trips across to Melbourne are normally done via the Western Highway but last year we felt like a change and came home along the Princes Highway,” they said.
“On that trip our lunch stop just happened to be in Camperdown, and your town stuck in our mind as being worthy of a return visit.
“With the help of Google we discovered the Old Mill Apartments which won us over instantly. What an amazing and very well thought out conversion from its previous uses is this complex.
“When we arrived in town we had no idea regarding what to see or do during our three day stay.”
The pair took to exploring the town, including the various stores and cafes that line the main street as well as scenic locations in and around Camperdown.
“It is pretty obvious driving through that there are some stately old buildings, a beautiful town clock and a ‘big hill’, but at our first stop at the nursery in the main street, the lady on duty could not have been more helpful as a source of local information,” Mr and Ms McEachern said.
“We followed her advice and checked out the Botanical Gardens, the nearby lakes and wound our way, somewhat nervously, up the Leura Hill not really knowing what was coming down those tight corners. What an impressive view of the whole district we had from the top.
“A hotel was pointed out to us and we walked in for a meal without booking.
“Now in many towns that would be the end of the story for dining but the smiling lass greeting diners suggested that if we were willing to have a drink she would save the first vacant table for us.”
The couple said that act made them feel welcome, and also resulted in the booking in advance throughout their stay.
Mr and Ms McEachern said they spend their Saturday morning looking at the various retail options in town.
“On Saturday morning most of your retail outlets were open and we were really impressed by the variety of shops, from those fulfilling life’s necessities to the quirky and individual,” they said.
“Once again, friendly faces everywhere which were good enough reasons for us to loosen our purse strings.
“Your people seem to be happy to say “G’day” without being intrusive.
“The only downside being that the Lotto ticket purchased with much anticipation failed to fund our future retirement plans.”
Mr and Ms McEachern said their stay did not allow them to sample every shop in town, but they had nothing but positive comments for the businesses.
They described feeling welcome in Camperdown, and said the friendly locals was the best part.
“We also chatted with visitors from Melbourne, Geelong and Singapore who all commented on the same feelings of friendliness that they had experienced,” they said.
“That is one of the reasons why we cannot wait for a return visit.
“We would normally meet our Ballarat or Melbourne friends at the Grampians or Port Fairy however after seeing our photos, Camperdown has been nominated as the meeting place for the next catchup or two.
