By Ian Williams
The Schirripa family freely admit they had little professional tourism experience when they bought the Hahndorf Resort Tourist Park three years ago.
But they’ve shown the Adelaide Hills community they have big ideas and are very quick learners.
In a short time they’ve transformed the dilapidated and rundown complex and turned it into one of the region’s largest and most modern tourism and business centres.
Brian and Lynn Schirripa were in the fruit and veg trade until they sold Adelaide Mushrooms six years ago with a vision of creating a business for their adult children, Trent, Luke and Karlyn.
Meet the Schrippa family – Brian, Lynn, Luke, Karlyn and Trent
“It was a hard transition to make but we joined BIG4 Holiday Parks in the first year so we could learn how to run a park successfully and professionally,” says Lynn.
“We’re also part of the Hahndorf Business and Tourism Association which has a strong focus on quality and, even though we’re sometimes in competition, we all work together.”
Brian and Lynn have overseen a major refurbishment and rebuild program while their children have been operating the business. Trent is overall manager, Luke looks after maintenance and Karlyn runs the office.
The resort itself is impressive. It’s spread over 13 hectares with great views of the surrounding Adelaide Hills and a wide range of accommodation options for 190 guests, plus a 70-site caravan park, mini golf, playground, swimming pool and jumping cushion.
The function facilities are extensive and include the Adelaide Hills Convention Centre and two smaller buildings that cater for special events and business functions. There is also an on-site restaurant – the Three Gums Bistro – which is owned and operated separately.
The Schirripa’s have almost completed a total revamp of the facilities and have more changes ahead.
Lynn says they are planning more cottages and apartment blocks, an outdoor wedding arbour and landscaping. They are also considering an additional 20 caravan spaces in time for Spring.
Lynn is in no doubt all the effort is worthwhile.
“Tourism is a real growth area especially in the Adelaide Hills with its award winning businesses and the strong focus on quality artisan products,” she says. “In the short time we’ve been here our own business has grown immensely.”
mapp.data.push( {“alignment”:””,”center”:{“lat”:-35.0258566,”lng”:138.80931799999996},”editable”:null,”filter”:null,”height”:”150″,”hideEmpty”:null,”initialOpenDirections”:null,”initialOpenInfo”:false,”layers”:null,”layout”:”inline”,”mapid”:”88″,”mapTypeId”:”roadmap”,”metaKey”:null,”minZoom”:null,”name”:”mapp1″,”poiList”:false,”postid”:”9239″,”query”:null,”title”:”Untitled”,”width”:”100%”,”zoom”:11,”pois”:[{“address”:”Hahndorf SA 5245, Australia”,”body”:”Australia”,”correctedAddress”:”Hahndorf SA 5245, Australia”,”iconid”:null,”point”:{“lat”:-35.0258566,”lng”:138.80931799999996},”poly”:null,”postid”:null,”kml”:null,”thumbnail”:null,”title”:”Hahndorf SA 5245″,”type”:null,”url”:null,”viewport”:{“sw”:{“lat”:-35.0625163,”lng”:138.77367660000004},”ne”:{“lat”:-35.0031262,”lng”:138.8501748}},”html”:”
“}]} );
if (typeof mapp.load != ‘undefined’) { mapp.load(); };
Regional Awards Partners
