Stage four of the popular cycling event saw riders wind their way through Strathalbyn, Langhorne Creek, Currency Creek, and Milang, before finishing at Goolwa on January 22.

A further 8,000 amateur riders also tackled the gruelling stage as part of the Mutual Community Challenge Tour.

Based on the success of this year's event, the council will register its interest in hosting the Tour Down Under in 2011.

But this is dependant on the condition that the council again hosts a stage finish and the community challenge.

Economic development manager Graham Webster said staff were "blown away" by the way the community embraced the event, with Milang and Goolwa both taking out the Best Dressed Town title.

"An estimated 20,000 plus people came into the Alexandrina Council region and being a long weekend, many people stayed, which brought in an excess of $300,000 to the local economy," he said.

"The economic benefit speak for itself."

This year the council forked out a $25,000 fee for hosting a stage finish plus infrastructure costs.