Popular South Australian television presenter Andrew “Cosi” Costello from Channel Seven’s South Aussie with Cosi turned his focus to the Limestone Coast region on the weekend.
While in the area, Cosi filmed at the Englebrecht Caves, the Cave Gardens and the main street, hosted the South Australian Forest Products Association 150 years of plantation forestry dinner and participated in the Mount Gamber Parkrun.
He also visited local businesses Metro Bakery and Café, Green Door Décor and the OK Pie Shop and gave away $500 cash from Lumo Energy to people to spend in the town.
“We basically visit every region in South Australia once a year – so this time is the South East/Limestone Coast and we’re so excited we are down here,” he said.
“Mount Gambier reminds me just how amazing this state is and there are only two kinds of people that bag South Australia; those that have never been and those that will never leave, so we are very, very lucky to live here.
“I love agriculture and this area just reeks of fantastic agriculture and diversity as well from livestock production through to the timber industry which is just insanely awesome here.
“I think the caves are great for tourism, it is obviously a huge drawcard. We did a little bit of stuff on the cave diving, you would have to be mad to do that but what an exciting, incredible thing to have offered in the South East.
“As far as tourism goes, I think there is so much to do in and around this area, the coastline is great, the access to the pine forests I think is fantastic … the fact that you can ride your bikes or camp and hike in those beautiful areas, the wildlife is unbelievable, the fishing is great, the food and wine is all just so good that you do just have so much to offer.”
Cosi said he wanted to highlight the Limestone Coast as a region with so many attractions to see, encouraging tourists to stay rather than just stopover on their way through.
“We are really keen on encouraging more people, when they are going to a footy game over at the MCG, to come along this way and do the Limestone Coast, stop in Mount Gambier, add an extra couple of days and then push on to your trip to Melbourne.
“I just thank all the locals for making us feel so welcome. We feel very loved when we come to these regions and it is an indescribable feeling, it is just the best, it is euphoric.”
During his visit Cosi and his crew stayed at the new Arthur’s on Commercial which he described as “the best accommodation place I have ever stayed in”.
“It is unbelievable. Four bedrooms, I think maybe three bathrooms, huge living areas, ginormous TVs, beautiful views straight out onto the beautiful old building straight onto the main street,” he said.
“I just cannot believe how beautiful it is and I think of other styles of accommodation that are very, very, very good around South Australia and this one matches it or betters it, it is insane.”
