Historic motorsport venue Collingrove could soon become one of South Australia’s most unique event destinations, with the Sporting Car Club of South Australia unveiling an ambitious vision for the future of the iconic Barossa Hillclimb.
The 92-year-old club, which has hosted hill climb events since 1952, unveiled a major rebrand on Tuesday, alongside an upgraded digital offering and plans for significant improvements to the world-famous Collingrove Hillclimb circuit.
Sporting Car Club of South Australia President Chris Frith said the project was focused on securing the future of one of Australia’s most historic grassroots motorsport venues.
“Collingrove has been part of South Australian motorsport culture for generations, but this is about making sure it continues to thrive for generations to come,” Mr Frith said.
“There is enormous momentum around motorsport and car culture in South Australia right now and facilities like Collingrove are critical to supporting that growth.
“We want this to become a destination not just for motorsport enthusiasts, but for the wider community and visitors to the Barossa.”
The long-term plans include a new clubhouse and upgraded facilities at the venue, with the aim of attracting major events that extend beyond motorsport.
Supported in part by the South Australian Government, the vision would transform the historic venue into a multi-purpose regional events precinct capable of hosting everything from hill climbs and car enthusiast events to music festivals, car shows, food and wine activations and family festivals.
Barossa Council Mayor Bim Lange OAM welcomed the investment in the historic venue, saying the project had the potential to deliver significant tourism and economic benefits to the region.
“Collingrove is a unique South Australian asset with enormous potential, not only for motorsport, but for tourism, events and the broader regional economy,” Mayor Lange said.
“This project will help unlock exciting new opportunities for the Barossa region while preserving an important piece of South Australia’s sporting history.”
The announcement comes as South Australia’s major events and regional tourism economy continues to grow, with regional visitor expenditure recently reaching almost $4 billion annually, while the state’s overall visitor economy has surpassed $11 billion.
The potential economic impact of major events was highlighted by the 2025 AFL Gather Round, which generated almost $5 million in direct expenditure for the Barossa region.
