Backpackers in regional South Australia are losing their jobs and being told to "go home" by local community members amid fears that they will spread coronavirus.

Key points: A regional hostel manager says backpackers are seen "as a threat" by local community members

A regional hostel manager says backpackers are seen "as a threat" by local community members The State Government says the workers are essential for local economy and discrimination will not be tolerated

The State Government says the workers are essential for local economy and discrimination will not be tolerated Border closures and limited flight availability has 'trapped' many backpackers in Australia

A group of backpackers have told the ABC some residents of a local town have turned against them, allegedly throwing stones at the foreigners and graffitiing the hostel's bin with the words "go home".

British backpacker Roan Hodgson, who lives at Harvest Trail Lodge in the SA town of Loxton, said his group has been discriminated against.

"The only place we can hang out, that is not in our rooms, is the balcony," he said.

"In the past few nights there has been people driving past screaming 'go home', and then a few nights ago people threw some stones onto us.

"We have been working here for months, it's [the behaviour] just stupid in my opinion."

For German backpackers Kristina Welters and Milan Scheunemann it was one of their biggest dreams to visit Australia. ( Supplied: Milan Scheunemann )

German backpacker Kristina Welters said it was the biggest dream for many to visit Australia and this behaviour had cast a shadow over her time in Australia.

"We worked at home to come here, and I think we all want to keep it a good memory and not live with racism every day," she said.

The hostel's manager Bronnie Allen said backpackers were seen "as a threat" and it had "created discomfort within the community".

"I just think it is very sad because Loxton is a beautiful place … and I think it probably has more to do with the unknown."

'Racial vilification completely unacceptable'

Member for Chaffey and South Australia's Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone said in a statement "racial vilification or abuse towards backpackers, or anyone else for that matter, is completely unacceptable".

"Our backpackers are an important part of the local economy and seasonal community, and any discrimination towards them will not be tolerated," the minister said.

Meanwhile, Derry Geber, who owns hostels in South Australia's Barossa and McLaren Vale wine region, said the two communities had become "fearful" of backpackers.

Mr Geber said the aversion toward foreigners had grown since a cluster of COVID-19 cases in the Barossa Valley became linked to two tour groups from the United States and Switzerland.

Backpackers were yelled at to 'go home' whilst on their balcony at night time. ( ABC News: Anita Ward )

"Some locals called the police to come over to us to check our social distancing," he said.

"They [the police] checked the one-person-per-four-square-metre rule was being adhered to."

"There's been an incident where they [the backpackers] went into order a coffee … the lady [worker] made a note in her logbook that some backpackers came in at that time

Stay up-to-date on the coronavirus outbreak Download the ABC News app and subscribe to our range of news alerts for the latest on how the pandemic is impacting the world

Job losses and skyrocketing airfares strand backpackers

With border closures, a ban of non-essential travel and very limited international flights available, many backpackers are now "trapped" in Australia without a safety net or nearby family.

British backpacker Roan Hodgson who enjoyed being in Australia was upset about the locals' behaviour. ( Supplied: Milan Scheunemann )

Mr Geber said the stigmatisation of backpackers has ended their job contracts, with some employers perceiving foreign workers as more likely to contract the virus.

But Ms Allen said accommodation providers followed strict coronavirus safety guidelines and backpackers were "absolutely critical" to Australia's agricultural industry.

"Without these people, they [farmers] just don't get the work done," she said.

Job losses, coupled with costly airfares, has left backpackers like Darren Stewart unable to return home to Scotland.

"We are trapped here and to hear people say 'go home' hurts a lot more because it's not an option for us and it rubs more salt into the wound."

Ms Welters agreed and added returning home was risky.

"I am scared that I could take this virus home …I don't want to make my family sick," she said.

"This is what makes me angry, that people here maybe don't think about our situation."

Backpackers said they call their friends their family as they are trapped in Australia amid the coronavirus pandemic. ( ABC News: Anita Ward )

Meanwhile, fellow German Milan Scheunemann said backpackers were welcome in the community before the coronavirus outbreak — but that had now changed.

"We can't go home and see our parents, so it is here where we built our own little family, but it is sad that we are treated like outsiders."