Record-breaking year at West Terrace Cemetery

Tourism-based visitor numbers hit an all-time high

Popular new guided tours and self-guided walking trails have been attributed to a record result in visitation numbers to West Terrace Cemetery in 2014.

Figures released by the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority today show that there were 12,672 tourism-based visitors to West Terrace Cemetery last year, which is the highest number of visitors on record.

The result also represents a 26% increase on visitor numbers compared to 2013 and is more than double the 6,153 people who visited the State Heritage-listed cemetery in 2011.

Adelaide Cemeteries Authority Chief Executive Officer Robert Pitt is delighted with the massive spike in tourist numbers to West Terrace Cemetery.

“2014 was a fantastic year for tourism-based visitation to West Terrace Cemetery, which continues to grow its reputation as one of South Australia’s tourism hotspots,” said Mr Pitt.

“The result is a reflection of the hard work the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority has undertaken to develop the historical significance of West Terrace Cemetery and the many fascinating stories of those buried there.

“Our guided tours and self-guided walking trails proved extremely popular last year, including the new night tours we launched on Friday evenings incorporating a theatrical sound and light experience with period actors.

“The cemetery was also inducted into the SA Tourism Hall of Fame last year for excellence in heritage and cultural tourism, so it was certainly a big year which we’re already looking to build on in 2015.”

West Terrace Cemetery is Australia’s oldest operating capital city cemetery and now features five self-guided themed trails for visitors to walk, including the “Heritage Highlights”, “Beliefs, Attitudes and Customs”, “Trailblazing Women”, “Stories of the Everyday” and “Natural Heritage” trails.

There are also guided tours every Tuesday and Sunday, and special night tours every Friday evening.

Mr Pitt says the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority continues to develop as the state’s most innovative provider of cemetery, burial and cremation services, while providing welcoming places for people to visit all year round.

“As well as managing funeral needs, Adelaide Cemeteries Authority acknowledges its responsibility to the wider community, and our guided tours and self-guided trails at West Terrace Cemetery are a great example of that,” he said.

The Adelaide Cemeteries Authority is South Australia’s leading provider of cemetery, burial and cremation services, and is responsible for the administration and maintenance of West Terrace Cemetery, Enfield Memorial Park, Cheltenham Cemetery and Smithfield Memorial Park.

For more information about the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority visit www.aca.sa.gov.au.