Look revealed for $50m hotel in Mount Barker sport precinct
The 120-room hotel is part of Mount Barker District Council’s plans for the Summit Precinct, which includes its sport and recreation park and soon-to-be-opened aquatic centre. See the pictures.
The council has chosen national developer Accord Property to deliver the hotel, which will later include a $15 million wellness centre.
It’s the first major tourism investment in the council-owned 50-hectare site, intended to boost Mount Barker’s visitor accommodation capacity, attract private investment and mark the area as a destination in the Adelaide Hills.
The council invited expressions of interest from developers and operators for the Summit Precinct site in 2023, with ambitions to transform the site into a tourism destination with accommodation, conference facilities, recreation spaces and the region’s largest adventure playground.
A yet-to-be-announced high-profile hotel brand is said to operate the four-star Summit Hotel.
Mount Barker Mayor David Leach says it’s an “exciting opportunity” to “create a premier national-level tourism, sport, recreation and events destination that will become a drawcard for visitors to discover our region”.
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“A development of the calibre of this hotel proposal has the potential to generate further private sector interest to secure investment in additional tourism accommodation, events facilities and recreation opportunities at the Summit Precinct. This, in turn, would create considerable local employment and direct and indirect economic growth for our district,” Leach says.
“The proposed hotel, combined with our Summit Sport and Recreation Park and the Summit Aquatic and Leisure Centre, would also position our district to attract more regional, state and national sporting and entertainment events. It will centre Mount Barker as a premier visitor destination, and the ideal place to play, stay and explore the Adelaide Hills.”
The hotel proposal is the latest major step in the council’s 10-year plan for the precinct, which responds to community needs and private sector interest in the area.
The Summit Sport and Recreation Park hosted Gather Round matches in 2023 and 2024, with 2023 numbers showing the match injected $2 million into the Adelaide Hills economy.
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It won’t play host again in 2025 as Gather Round moves to the Barossa and while community football clubs and SANFL Sturt Football Club use the grounds, in 2023 the Hills Football League withdrew their license agreement to use the park.
Last month, the council showed they can keep footy on side by hosting a Summit Showdown event with Adelaide Crows and Port Power playing a pre-season match. A council spokesperson said the council is confident they can host major events in the Summit Precinct that attract state-based and national crowds similar to Gather Round.
The hotel plans come as the Summit Aquatic and Leisure Centre is almost complete, due to open on the neighbouring land in mid-late 2025.
Accord Property Managing Director Lachy Hogarth says this development reflects their confidence in Mount Barker’s potential as “one of the fastest-growing regions in the country”.
“This hotel marks the beginning of something much larger – it is the centrepiece of a vibrant new precinct that will attract visitors, create jobs, and elevate the region’s tourism appeal,” he says.
“As the precinct evolves, a planned $15 million wellness centre will be integrated with the hotel in future stages, further enhancing the visitor experience and establishing the region as a sought-after destination for tourism and leisure.
“By working closely with the council and stakeholders, we are ensuring this precinct evolves in a way that maximises its impact and long-term success.”
Hogarth says they’ve secured a high-profile hotel brand to operate the site and look forward to sharing those details soon.
The hotel development will be assessed by the State Commission Assessment Panel, and future elements like the adventure playground or extending the Laratinga Wetland Trail will involve community consultation.