Arkaba Station in the Flinders Ranges has re-opened as part of Charles Carlow's 'Wild Bush Luxury' portfolio. The original five-bedroom heritage homestead, built in 1851, has been refurbished using an Outback inspired colour scheme and features a library, deep verandah and swimming pool. The 60,000-acre working sheep station is located on the edge of the world-famous geological amphitheatre Wilpena Pound and guided activities are conducted on the property and in the neighbouring national park. More information
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November 2009 |
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Welcome to the new look SA Stories!
New Accommodation and Tours
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Arkaba Station Refurbishment |
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Barossa Vineyard CottagesFour new, self contained cottages have been built in Bethany, the first town settled in the Barossa. The cottages have been designed in the traditional style with rendered stone walls, high ceilings and verandahs, but also include all modern comforts. Surrounded by vineyards, the dwellings look out onto the Barossa Ranges and the spires of Tanunda. Wine, gourmet food provisions, newspapers and internet access are included. More information |
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Bickham Grange Estate B&BJust 10 kilometres from Adelaide's CBD, Bickham Grange Estate is a beautifully appointed cottage set in private gardens. Originally built in 1851, Bickham Grange has been refurbished with a combination of charming antiques and modern appliances. The Dernancourt cottage features two double bedrooms, an open fire place and a claw foot bath. More information |
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Hughes Park CottageNestled in the beautiful Clare Valley, Hughes Park is a stylishly renovated two bedroom cottage surrounded by vineyards and historic sheep farming countryside. Built in 1845, the cottage is two kilometers from Watervale, an hour and a half north of Adelaide. The private, self contained accommodation boasts an open fire, modern kitchen and outdoor setting, with wine, chocolates and a breakfast hamper provided. More information |
Banskia Adventures Kangaroo Island Scenic FlightsVisitors can now take in the stunning natural beauty of Kangaroo Island from the air with a Banksia Adventures scenic flight. Flights leave from the Vivonne Bay airstrip and venture over Flinders Chase National Park, Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch and the Casaurina Islets. Thirty, 45 or 95 minute flights are available and bookings can be made on the spot at the airstrip. More information |
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New Exceptional Kangaroo Island toursThree exciting new tours for kids, foodies and art lovers have been added to the Exceptional KI list. 'KI for Kids!' includes a wildlife safari, dairy visit and marine tour; the 'Food Safari' visits a marron farm, olive oil producer, honey farm and the unique Kangaroo Island Spirits distillery; and 'Art of Nature' explores nature-inspired artworks in galleries and artists' studios. More information |
Xplore Eyre toursXplore Eyre is a new business run by Craig Haslam (of Nullarbor Traveller) offering a range of two to eight day tours around the Eyre Peninsula. The expeditions explore the region's spectacular scenery and wildlife, both on land and in the water, and take in the southern Flinders Ranges and Gawler Ranges as well as the peninsula itself. Fresh seafood, local wines and a ride on the Indian Pacific are also incorporated. More information |
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New Food, Wine and Lifestyle Products
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Goodine BistroThe new Goodine Bistro is already receiving glowing reviews with some diners surprised to find this gem in such unlikely place. The chic café/bar/restaurant is located in the foyer of the Tennyson Medical Centre in Adelaide's Kurralta Park. Goodine is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving modern Asian and Italian influenced dishes along with unusual and boutique wines. More information |
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Osteria Mesa RestaurantOsteria Mesa is the latest restaurant from the group behind other renowned Adelaide eateries Mesa Lunga, British India, The Thali Room and Concubine. The new restaurant in Frewville, a few minutes east of the CBD, features indoor and outdoor eating areas and serves pizzas, antipasti, tapas and other Italian and Spanish style dishes. Several varieties of house-made sangria are also on offer. More information |
New Adelaide Football Club facilityA new training and entertainment complex has opened at the Adelaide Football Club offering a range of public facilities. The development includes a bar and function venue for up to 400 people, café, media centre, balcony room and members' bar. There is also the '19th Floor' space overlooking the training area which is home to a replica locker room, interactive museum and more. Guided tours of the facility are offered and schools and birthday groups are welcomed. |
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Tall Boys WineTwo wines commissioned by director Scott Hicks for the release of his new movie 'The Boys Are Back' (filmed on SA's Fleurieu Peninsula) are now commercially available. The McLaren Vale shiraz and Adelaide Hills chardonnay were made by Ben Riggs under the label 'Tall Boys' and have been served at the film's premieres around the world. Phone 08 8556 4460 for more information. |
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FridgeridooThe Fridgeridoo looks like a didgeridoo but is actually a six can neoprene drink cooler. There are three different fridgeridoo designs, with artwork representing Community, Kangaroo and Women Meeting Together, all by internationally recognised indigenous artist Susan Leigh Betts. More information |
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Lustre Jewellery WorkshopsChristine Pyman, director of the new Lustre Galleries in Adelaide's Peel Street, is offering jewellery making workshops for budding artists. Classes run with a miximum of six students and topics include personal talisman making, couples' commitment ring making and jewellery making techniques. More information |
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Naracoorte Wrapping PaperLooking for some unique paper to wrap this year's Chrissie presents? Well, Naracoorte Wrapping Paper is now available! The A2 size sheets feature photos of the region's wildlife and attractions on one side and a map to show visitors how to find the town on the other. Phone 08 8760 1100 for more information. |
SA Faces
Phil loves his back-breaking workFalling 48 feet from a cliff, fracturing your spine, both ankles and both feet, might be expected to restrict some people’s physical and psychological fitness for bushwalking, surfing, sailing, sea kayaking, mountain biking, SCUBA diving, rock climbing and orienteering. Not Phil Porter. In fact, he decided to make these activities his career! Phil now runs Wilderness Wanders, taking adventurers around the Eyre Peninsula and Flinders Ranges, sharing the special spots he’s discovered throughout his life in the great outdoors. He also gets a laugh from surprising (and delighting) travellers by pulling one of his pet joeys out of a backpack mid-tour! |
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Greg and Dee's extra long weekendGreg and Dee Linton were living in Queensland when they visited McLaren Vale for a weekend in 2002… and never left. The spur-of-the-moment decision to buy a house that very weekend led to a new life of fine food, wine, community and stunning scenery. The couple's Wine Diva boutique wine tours and chauffer services, as well as their 3 Divas cottages, are highly regarded for their unique touches and personalised service. A tour with Greg and Dee may involve a private barrel tasting, an exclusive invitation to a boutique cellar door, an up-close encounter with an emu or even, as some puzzled American travellers recently requested, an explanation of just what is being sold at roadside stalls offering "chook poo"! |
Getting cheesey with Sheree SullivanBeing a cheesemaker, a musician, a teacher and a mother to two young daughters certainly keeps Sheree Sullivan busy. The owner of Hahndorf's now legendary Udder Delights cheese cellar says she has taken a "sink or swim" approach, diving into the business with no experience based purely on her passion for food. The formally trained jazz pianist now teaches cheesemaking at the shop as well as at the Workers' Educational Association of South Australia and her cheeses have picked up a raft of awards. And what is the favourite cheese of this multi-tasking creative genius? Well, it depends on her mood, but she generally likes her cheeses "interesting" with "a lingering flavour"… |
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Upcoming Events
More than 250 clowns and 1000 characters will embark on a magical Christmas parade through the streets of Adelaide. The AI3DE is Australia's pinnacle equestrian event, showcasing the nation's best riders in beautiful Rymill Park, right in the heart of Adelaide Australia’s leading festival of queer arts and culture includes theatre, cabaret, film, forums, literature, visual arts, radio, sporting and community events. Classic sporting vehicles begin each day in the heart of the city, travelling through wine country and spectacular scenery. The state's largest floating fundraiser travels from Blanchetown to the NSW border and back to Renmark, raising money for Novita Children’s Services. Around 15,000 motorcyclists will ride from Adelaide to Hahndorf where a family fun day will be held and toys will be collected for distribution to needy children. A spectacular display of lights and decorations adorns around 800 homes in the town, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Four countries will play each other over three nights, with current champions, rising stars and past heroes including John McEnroe taking to the court. The action-packed 2010 National Championships will be held at the purpose-built Eagle Mountain Bike Park in the Adelaide Hills. The Santos Tour Down Under is now the first event on the UCI ProTour world cycling calendar and guarantees a week-long festival of action and entertainment. Showcasing local seafood, fabulous hospitality and the great produce of the Eyre Peninsula, the Tunarama festival includes the world famous Tuna Toss. The popular horse racing cup carnival is Kangaroo Island’s biggest tourist event of the year. The internationally renowned Adelaide Fringe festival is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and is always full of quirky fun and frivolity. One of the world’s greatest arts festivals celebrates 50 years in 2010 with more than 250 performances, events and exhibitions to be staged in 33 venues. |
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Story IdeasHouseboating holidays on the Murray Why Farmers' Markets are the new foodie favourite The stunning locations featured in the new Scott Hicks film starring Clive Owen, 'The Boys are Back' Inexpensive things to do with the kids in the school holidays Meeting Adelaide's new Giant Pandas Best Christmas celebration activities Hiking the Heysen Trail – 1200km from the Flinders Ranges to the sea |
News Updates
Ravi Shankar to play at 2010 WOMAD festivalIndian sitar guru Ravi Shankar and his daughter Anoushka will headline the 2010 WOMADelaide festival to be held on 5-8 March. Other acts will include Calexico (USA), Eliades Ochoa (Cuba), Xavier Rudd (Australia), Ojos de Brujo (Spain), Babylon Circus (France) and The Skatalites (Jamaica), with more acts to be announced soon. |
Ronan Keating announced as McLaren Vale festival headlineInternational pop star Ronan Keating will perform at Leconfield Winery in McLaren Vale for the 'A Day on the Green' concert on 30 January 2010. It will be the Irish star's first Australian tour in eight years. Aussies Tina Arena and Damien Leith will also perform. |
Jazz legend to perform in the BarossaGrammy award winner Diana Krall will perform at the Barossa 'A Day on the Green' on Saturday February 27 2010. Madeleine Peyroux, Melody Gardot and Katie Noonan will also take to the stage for the event at Peter Lehmann Wines in Tanunda. |
John McEnroe to hit the court in AdelaideTennis legend John McEnroe will headline the player list for the 2010 World Tennis Championships in Adelaide. The 17-time Grand Slam winner will be joined by other past and present champions for the event on 12-14 January. Meantime Adelaide has also won the right to host the Federation Cup World Group II first round tie between Australia and Spain next February. |
Barossa winemaker named best in the countryAndrew Wigan from Peter Lehmann Wines has been awarded Gourmet Traveller WINE and Wine Australia 2009 Australian Winemaker of the Year. Wigan has worked 37 vintages with Lehmann, earning a reputation for his outstanding shiraz styles as well as for his distinct Rieslings and Semillons. |
Internationally acclaimed chefs head to Hills cooking schoolRenowned chef and author, Christine Manfield, and ex head chef at Neil Perry's Rockpool Restaurant in Sydney, Katrina Ryan, will both host masterclasses at Sticky Rice Cooking School in the Adelaide Hills in 2010. The new series of masterclasses follows sold out classes to be led by Thai expert David Thompson this month. |
Simon Bryant to lead Variety Club cooking masterclassSimon Bryant from TV's 'The Cook and The Chef' will host a two course dinner and cooking demonstration to raise money for the children's charity Variety. The event will be on Saturday 28 November at the Hilton Adelaide. |
Major classical guitar competition announcedA $35,000 International Classical Guitar Competition open to competitors of all ages will form part of the 2010 Adelaide International Guitar Festival. The event, directed by world renowned guitarist Slava Grigoryan, will be held from 25-28 November next year and will feature more than 50 national and international artists. |
Young Performer of the Year to be announced in AdelaideThe MBS Young Performer of the Year will be determined at the national final in Adelaide this month. South Australian tenor Robert MacFarlane will compete against state finalists from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria on Saturday 28 November in the Pilgrim Church on Flinders Street. |
Tour Down Under named Australia's best tourism eventThe TDU has picked up the Best Tourism Event gong at Australian Event Awards. Other SA winners were Carols By Candlelight (Best Charity or Cause-Related Event), Adelaide Fringe 2009 - Adelaide Fringe Incorporated and BankSA (Best Partnership by a Business or Media Outlet) and the School of Management, University of South Australia (Best Education Program). |
2010 Fringe poster set to be revealedThe new Fringe festival poster will be unveiled to media on 6 November at the Adelaide Showgrounds. The official guide outlining all performers will then be released on 9 January 2010 with the Fringe running from 19 February to 14 March, celebrating its 50th year. |
OzAsia Festival attracts record crowdsThe popularity of the OzAsia Festival has been confirmed with a 25 percent increase in ticket sales reported for the 2009 event. 25 thousand attendances were recorded across the two week program including 13 thousand people at the opening Moon Lantern Festival. |
2010 State Theatre program unveiledPlays by Miller, Orton and Shakespeare will be staged alongside fresh contemporary works as part of the 2010 State Theatre season. Casts for the eight plays will include Kim Gygnell, Deborah Mailman, Jackie Weaver and singer Christine Anu. |
SA restaurants named nation's bestThree SA restaurants have picked up awards for being best in their class at the Restaurant and Catering Industry's National Awards for Excellence. The winners were Auge (best Italian), The Spice Kitchen (best Indian) and the Hilton Adelaide (best professional development). |
Legendary Salopian Inn in McLaren Vale changing handsThe McLaren Vale Brewing Group will take over the iconic Salopian Inn from 1 December. Some renovations will take place and the new owners say the pub's fine epicurean tradition will continue while, of course, McLaren Vale Ale will be on tap. |
Best cheeses judged at record-breaking CheesefestA record five and a half thousand people converged on Adelaide's Rymill Park on 18 October for the 2009 Cheesefest. South Australian winners in the festival's professionally judged competition were Woodside Cheese Wrights, Udder Delights and La Vera Cheese. |
Finalists announced for Premier's Food AwardsAn exciting and diverse range of businesses have been named finalists in the 2009 Premier's Food Awards, including producers of rabbit schnitzels, caper berries, blood orange extra virgin olive oil and biodynamic dairy products. Winners will be announced at the gala dinner on Friday 6 November. |
Indian Pacific stops off for historic Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre re-openingA dazzling sound and light show will form part of the new-look Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre, set to re-open on the weekend of 27-29 November. The Indian Pacific will stop by on its way through to Perth as part of the celebrations which will also include a free family open day, a dinner dance and a cocktail party. |
Big night of free campingBig 4 are offering free camping at twelve of their South Australian caravan parks on Friday 20 November. The Come Camp with BIG4 events will feature sausage sizzles, pancake breakfasts, face painting, mystery guests and other family activities. |
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Media Gallery NewsCheck out the new photo additions to the SATC Media Gallery this month:
All of these new images can be found by conducting a search, or a selection can be viewed under 'latest additions' on the home page. A whole range of updated Editorial Fact Sheets are now also available on the Media Gallery, covering topics such as nature, food, history, events and more. Coming soon… new images of Kangaroo Island, Adelaide Hills and the Barossa. Click here to visit the Media Gallery |
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