Major Tourism Investment in the Flinders Ranges
One of Australia's most visionary tourism identities is set to take the Flinders Ranges to the next level with the purchase of renowned Wilpena Pound Resort from long-term owners and Flinders Ranges' icons, the Rasheed family.
Grant Hunt, head of the new company Anthology the Travellers' Collection, and the driving force behind eco-tourism operator Voyages, recently took ownership of Wilpena Pound Resort, with a view to rejuvenating the property in the next 12 months.
South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) Chief Executive Andrew McEvoy said Anthology had a fantastic track record in developing visionary tourism experiences around Australia and welcomed his investment and commitment to South Australia.
"Anthology is taking over the reigns of one of this State's leading tourism developments in Wilpena Pound Resort and arguably one of South Australia's most well-recognised families - the Rasheeds," he said.
"Keith, Lynette, Dean and Lizzie Rasheed have committed so much to tourism in South Australia and the Flinders Ranges, and were instrumental in positioning the region as one of our leading tourism drawcards.
"While this is an end of an era in one sense, it is the start of a new and exciting era for the region and for the Resort."
For all media enquiries, please call SATC Corporate Affairs Manager, Julia Angove on 08 8463 4610.
KI Tourism Continues to Win International Acclaim
Kangaroo Island has won two more international tourism accolades, reaffirming it as one of the world's best tourism destinations.
The $15 million Southern Ocean Lodge, which opened in March this year, won Australia's Best Accommodation at OZTalk USA - the largest wholesale trading event in North America.
Exceptional Kangaroo Island also won Australia's Best Experience at North America's largest Aussie Specialist Retail event, Corroboree. This makes it a back-to-back win for the Island, with Tourism Kangaroo Island taking out the same award in 2007.
The accolades come hot on the heels of Kangaroo Island's recent recognition as the nation's Best Eco Experience in a survey conducted by leading travel magazine, Travelling in Australia.
The awards are the latest in a string of recent wins for Kangaroo Island, following National Geographic Traveller Magazine voting it 'Best Island in the Asia Pacific region', and last year's win as 'Best Regional Food Destination' in the Vogue Traveller Magazine + Audi Produce Awards.
For all media enquiries, please call Tourism Kangaroo Island Regional Tourism Manager, Tania O'Neil on 0429 000 855.
Tour Down Under accredits its first US Tour Operator
The Tour Down Under, the first stop on the world cycling calendar, has for the first time accredited a US tour operator to provide holiday packages for American cycling fans to enjoy Australia's leading cycling event.
Trek Travel, an American tour operator that specialises in cycling tours, joins the list of eight other tour operators to be accredited by the Tour Down Under for 2009.
Andrew McEvoy, Chief Executive of the South Australian Tourism Commission, said the addition of a US tour operator highlights the growing profile of the Tour Down Under.
"The decision to offer accreditation to Trek Travel, which will see US cycling fans visit our state, is indicative of the growing worldwide interest in the Tour Down Under, said Mr McEvoy.
"The Official Tour Operators of the 2009 Tour Down Under have the knowledge and expertise to offer a combination of a fantastic South Australian holiday with the excitement of the Tour Down Under."
The 2009 Tour Down Under, from 18-25 January 2009, will see the world's elite cycling teams race over 800kms along routes that take in the heart of Adelaide, the Fleurieu Peninsula, Adelaide Hills and the Barossa.
For all media enquiries, please call Public Relations Manager, Events South Australia, Michelle Logie on 08 8463 4695
Funds Boost for Tourism
Projects that will help to increase South Australia's tourism potential have received a $700,000 boost from the State Government.
In September, Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith announced 24 projects across the State, with a total value of $7.8 million, would receive grants through this year's Tourism Development Fund.
Tourism Minister Lomax-Smith says the State Government is working towards investing in better tourism infrastructure in the State, more events and innovative marketing campaigns in key markets.
"This latest round of Tourism Development Fund grants will encourage sustainable developments that help to attract more high-yielding visitors from interstate and overseas to our State," Dr Lomax-Smith said.
"Many of the grants will be matched dollar-for-dollar by local councils or part-funded by private sector investment.
"This approach highlights the importance of partnerships in developing and maintaining vital tourism infrastructure."
For all media enquiries, please call SATC Corporate Affairs Manager, Julia Angove on 08 8463 4610.
$500,000 Boost for SA's Food and Wine Tourism Industry
The South Australian Government will invest $500,000 to boost South Australia's food and wine tourism industry.
Announced to coincide with the World Food Exchange Gala Dinner, the funding will allow the State's culinary tourism industry to attract more high-yielding visitors from interstate and overseas.
"South Australia is already renowned as the nation's food and wine State," says Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith.
"Almost 40% of international visitors to South Australia visit a winery while they are in the country, and wine regions such as the Barossa are famous around the world.
"This $500,000 investment over two years will be used to take food and wine tourism experiences in our established wine regions to the next level.
"In the competitive world of tourism, it is important that South Australia continues to grow as a food and wine tourism destination and that its culinary tourism attractions are on par with - or better than - those found in wine regions interstate and overseas."
For all media enquiries, please call SATC Corporate Affairs Manager, Julia Angove on 08 8463 4610.
Expansion and Summer Packages at Rawnsley Park Station
Work will start on four new luxury eco-villas at South Australia's Rawnsley Park Station in November, capping off a solid year for the Flinders Ranges' tourism operator.
The $1 million expansion will bring the total number of eco-villas to eight (six one-bedroom and two, two-bedroom), with each featuring the same stunning views, secluded location, stylish interiors and quality facilities.
The new villas will also enable Rawnsley Park to cater for special interest groups and small fly-in groups.
And the property has released a special summer indulgence package for stays in its luxury eco-villas.
As part of the package, two people can spend two nights in a one-bedroom eco-villa, complete with continental breakfast provisions and a bottle of South Australian wine, a guided sunrise walk in the foothills of Wilpena Pound and a scenic flight.
Valid for stays from December 1, 2008, to March 31, 2009, the package is priced at $385 per person, a saving of $100 per person.
More information: www.rawnsleypark.com.au
Fresh New Look for the Novotel Barossa Valley Resort
The Novotel will throw open its doors on a multi-million dollar refurbishment in November and invites visitors to enjoy a quick getaway with rates from $169 per Studio Room per night.
Offering a fresh new holiday experience, all Novotel Barossa rooms will feature Ipod docking stations allowing Ipods to connect directly into the 32 inch LCD TVs - doubling as a personalised stereo.
There's brand new bedding in the resort's completely refurbished and repainted rooms, fitted out with contemporary, stylish décor and furnishings.
In keeping with the Novotel Barossa Valley Resort's commitment to the environment, all rooms have been installed with energy efficient lighting, water saving showerheads and green certified absorption fridges with no moving parts, ensuring complete silence through the night.
Rates start at $169 per Studio Room per night, subject to availability and valid until 31 January 2009.
More information: visit www.novotelbarossa.com
New Canoe Trails Reveal SA's Historic Past
Normally submerged maritime relics are being seen for the first time in more than 100 years on newly opened canoe trail maps within Coorong National Park and the Lower Lakes.
While falling water levels are causing major concerns for the region, the lower levels are also revealing some of the State's rich maritime history when the Murray River was used as a major transport route.
Lower water levels are also contributing to increases in birdlife around islands in the Lower Lakes as wader birds move into the area seeking out hunting grounds in shallow water.
The three new trails - covering sections of Salt Creek in the Coorong to the Murray Mouth more than 80km away - are providing canoeists with a special glimpse into South Australia's past, allowing them to get close to wrecks in shallow water difficult to access by other water craft.
People can take their own canoes on the trails or join a canoeing tour of Coorong National Park with Blue Water Sea Kayaking (www.adventure-kayak.com.au), Coorong Wilderness Lodge tours (www.coorongwildernesslodge.com) or Ecotrek tours (www.ecotrek.com.au).
More information: Roz Becker, Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism, on 08 8556 8766
Limestone Coast Real Food Trail Project Launched
Limestone Coast Food officially launched the Limestone Coast Real Food Trail project in August at Poplars Winery in Coonawarra.
Forty Limestone Coast Food members participated in a hands on cooking demonstration by Australia's Premier Indigenous Chef - Mark Olive.
The cooking demonstration was followed by the official project launch of the Limestone Coast Real Food Trail - a tourism food trail showcasing the diverse range of food available across the Limestone Coast region.
Project Jenni Ling says the group is very excited to launch the Real Food Trail project.
"The project has been a long time in the planning stage and we are very excited to have received Federal Government funding through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry to finally bring the Real Food Trail to fruition," she said.
More information: Jenni Ling on 0458 773 663
Bundaleer Sparkling Shiraz wins Wine of the Year
In a huge coup for the Southern Flinders Ranges wine region, Bundaleer Wines' Sparkling Shiraz has taken out the Wine of The Year, chosen by Consumer Judges at the Hyatt Advertiser Wine of the Year Awards.
Announced in September at a gala dinner at the Hyatt Regency Adelaide, the award capped a night that saw Bundaleer's Sparkling Shiraz also take out the Best Sparkling Red category from both the Consumer Judges and the Professional Judges.
Pick up an award-winning Bundaleer Sparkling Shiraz at the North Star at Melrose, Bundaleer Wines' Cellar Door, or from the Commercial Hotel in Jamestown, or download an order form from the website.
More information: visit www.bundaleerwines.com.au
Miller Apartments Scoop at HotelClub Awards 2008
Miller Apartments was crowned 'Best New Property' at the HotelClub Awards 2008 held in Sydney last month.
The South Australian boutique apartments won the prestigious accolade after some 70,000 consumers globally cast 120,000 votes via HotelClub.com, the online accommodation booking service.
Announcing the winners in front of hospitality industry representatives, the awards captured consumer opinion on achievement of exceptional standards.
In the Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Island region 300 hotels were short listed in the 'Best New Property 2008' category with the team from Miller Apartments recognised for their property's ambience, cleanliness, location, service, family friendliness, business, restaurant and bar facilities as well as value.
More information: visit www.millerapartments.com.au or www.hotelclub.com.au
Sinclair's Gully's Wildflower Walks and Twilight Tastings
Sinclair's Gully, the only eco-certified winery in the Adelaide Hills, will be hosting wildflower walks and twilight tastings in October and November.
On Sundays during October, take a stroll through the wildflowers with glass in hand.
Chat to vignerons Sue and Sean Delaney about their bush care work and sustainable land management practices.
Relax back at the Hills' only eco certified cellar door under the magnificent Candlebark gums with a glass and a regional platter featuring Woodside cheeses, dips, olives and Baylies crackers while listening to the amazing bird life.
On Friday evenings from November to the end of March, guests can discover the wonder of Sinclair's Gully at dusk with a glass of wine and the native wildlife. Bookings essential.
More information: visit www.sinclairsgully.com
True North Departure in 2009
North Star Cruises are set to bring their internationally recognised 'expedition-style' cruise to South Australian waters.
From 10-18 January 2009, the 'Southern Safari' tour on board the 'True North' will depart Adelaide for Port Lincoln and Ceduna in South Australia, taking in the Great Australian Bight.
The tour will take in the best of the McLaren Vale vineyards and local produce outlets, the natural wonders of Kangaroo Island and the chance to undertake diving with Great White Sharks or undertake an introduction to the aquaculture industry of the Eyre Peninsula at Port Lincoln.
More information: visit www.northstarcruises.com.au/ss.asp
Rawnsley Park Station Honoured in T+L US Hotels, Resorts and Spa Annual
Rawnsley Park Station is among several Australian and New Zealand destinations that have appeared in the 2008 edition of the annual Travel + Leisure's World's Greatest Hotels, Resorts and Spas, an annual coffee table book which is read by tens of thousand of prospective and affluent US travellers.
Anthony Dennis, editor of Travel + Leisure Australia + NZ says the Australasian edition of T+L has again shown its influence in highlighting the best travel in the region via close connections with the international editions of the magazine.
"Each of the properties featured in the book originally appeared in the Australasian edition of T+L. No other title in Australasia is able to deliver this kind of international exposure."
More information: visit www.travelandleisure.com
Yorke Peninsula Offers Visitors a 'Boat Load of Fun'
Visitors to the Yorke Peninsula could sail away with more than $15,000 worth of prizes, as part of Yorke Peninsula Tourism's “Boat Load of Fun” competition.
The winner of the major prize will take home a 3.95m aluminium dinghy with a 25hp outboard motor and trailer - full of absolutely everything needed to have a fantastic holiday on the Yorke Peninsula.
The competition will run from 1 September to 30 November, with the major prize on display at The Farm Shed Museum and Tourism Centre, Kadina. Entrants will also have the chance to win one of three consolation prizes.
The major prize includes a 3.95m aluminium dinghy with a 25hp Mercury outboard motor and trailer, accommodation, meal and shopping vouchers, beer, wine, entry vouchers to many attractions, fishing rods, beach gear, a four hour sail with a skipper and much more.
Entries are available from participating outlets on the Yorke Peninsula.
More information: visit
www.southaustralia.com/YorkePeninsulaBoatloadofFun.aspx
Five new Tasmanian Devil Joeys for Zoos SA
Zoos South Australia has confirmed the success of the first Tasmanian Devil breeding season with the birth of five joeys.
Senior Curator of Zoos South Australia, Peter Clark, said the birth of the five joeys, born from two wild caught Tasmanian Devils is a significant achievement this early on in the program.
Director of Conservation programs for Zoos South Australia, Kevin Evans, said the mainland insurance population is part of a joint operation between the Australasian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquaria (ARAZPA), and the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program coordinated by the Tasmanian Government.
The insurance population on the mainland will continue to participate in controlled breeding with the aim to boost Tasmania Devil numbers in the wild once the risk of the disease has diminished.
More information: Emily Rice, Zoos SA on 8230 1237
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South Australia is securing itself a reputation as the 'Indulgent State', with new products encouraging people to relax and be spoilt.
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