South Australian Stories

Remarkable Rocks, Kangaroo Island

Feature Article

Introducting the new-look SATC Media Gallery...


The SATC Media Gallery has undergone a facelift - it is now even easier to use and new collections are being uploaded regularly.
The homepage features quick links to the all the latest additions as well as "Hero Collections" of the most iconic photos from each region.
The revised search function now makes it easy to find images, videos, maps, editorial, personality profiles and logos using key words. An interactive map of South Australia also makes it simple to search by geographical location. Users can then utilise the lightbox function to manage and share previews before ordering items.
In a huge boost to the image library, the Media Gallery team has recently undertaken an extensive project updating South Australia's "Key Experiences".
Research was conducted to reveal Kangaroo Island, the Eyre Peninsula, the Barossa and the Murray River as regions with high appeal and for which visual imagery is most sought after. The team then went about identifying and documenting more than 50 of the best experiences across these regions.
The shoot was conducted over 19 days using a broad range of talent. While around 1200 stills photos were taken for inclusion in the Gallery, increased demand for video footage was also met with approximately 400 individual video clips shot. Many of the images are already available through the Media Gallery with more, plus the video clips (wide screen and hi-definition), to be added over the next few months.  
The team is now planning new shoots of key experiences in Adelaide and the Flinders Ranges with the resulting products expected to be available early in 2010.
In addition, a striking collection of photos from the Outback Cattle Drive media famil and a new collection of stylish Adelaide Hills shots have also recently been added to the Gallery.
Stay tuned for more news from the SATC Media Gallery - a new-look SA Stories is just around the corner and regular Media Gallery updates will be featured as part of the new format.


 

Spotlight

Meet photographer Matt Nettheim

Matt Nettheim Matt Nettheim discovered the world of photography as a high school dropout. He now works on major film locations around the globe alongside some of the industry's biggest names.
Matt and his family moved to Adelaide from Sydney when he was 14. By 16, he had left school and was unemployed so he signed up for a free photography course in Norwood.
Matt says it was there that his passion was ignited.
"It was an exciting time, I instantly fell in love with photography to the point of obsession, and I have had a camera on me ever since."
He went on to study at North Adelaide TAFE and completed a degree in Melbourne as part of the last generation of students to be taught the traditional photographic craft - a grounding which he considers highly beneficial.
At this point, Matt knew he wanted his career to head in a certain direction.
 "I was determined to be a photojournalist rather than a fine-art photographer and my first job out of college was on the Australian Newspaper in Sydney. It was an exciting job and us newspaper photographers were the first to get hold of digital cameras and all the new digital imaging technology."
Back in Adelaide, a pivotal moment came when Matt photographed director Rolf De Heer after his Bad Boy Bubby success. Rolf invited Matt onto the set of his next film, Dance Me to My Song, followed by another four projects.
With his reputation growing, Matt was invited to take the stills for the 1999 award-winning Rabbit Proof Fence, with one famous shot featuring on the film's poster. The momentum continued and, to date, he has now worked on more than 50 feature films including The Quiet American, Somersault, Jindabyne, Hot Fuzz and the upcoming releases Where the Wild Things Are and The Boys Are Back.
Despite having photographed images all around the world, Matt's passion for working in South Australia hasn't waned at all.
"It doesn't get much better than projects like The Tracker and Beautiful Kate, both shot in the Flinders Ranges; smaller budget films shooting in great landscapes with passionate local crews."
Matt is also proud to call South Australia his home.
"Adelaide has been a perfect place to live and base my career. I have always enjoyed lots of time with my family, and enjoy an amazing quality of life here even during lean times.
"I genuinely love South Australia and Kangaroo Island, The Flinders Ranges and Yorke Peninsula are my favourite places in the world. If I could be anywhere in the world now it would be bike riding along the south coast of KI."
Recently, Matt has captured some of South Australia's most iconic images, available through the SATC Media Gallery's new Key Experiences collections.
He says it was a great project with which to be involved.
"The SA Key Experiences shoot was a lot of fun. We were taken directly to most of our State's best locations and I was free to wander around shooting stunning landscapes."
To contact Matt, please email Anna Bartsch at anna.bartsch@tourism.sa.com.

New South Australian Products

Birks River House at Goolwa

Birks River House

The historic Birks River House has been beautifully renovated and is now available as luxurious holiday accommodation. The building was constructed in 1910 as the original homestead for the founder of Birks Harbour. It has now been converted into two self-contained suites featuring original artwork, fireplaces, dining facilities and modern amenities.
Located opposite the Boathouse and Marina at Goolwa, the house is surrounded by extensive private gardens. A huge swimming pool, outdoor chaise lounges and BBQ facilities are all available for guests' use.

Click here for more information


Art Scout Boutique Art Tours

Art Scout Art Tour

Eileen Lubiana has launched Art Scout Art Tours to help art enthusiasts discover some of Adelaide's smaller galleries and to expose the city's vibrant arts scene. The six and a half hour tour includes visits to six galleries and one artist's studio with the featured artist showing off some of his or her techniques and works. The package also includes morning tea, lunch with wine and hotel transfers.
Art Scout also offers regular art classes for adults and children, providing demonstrations in various mediums and guidance for students' individual projects.

Click here for more information


Clayton Station's self-contained Outback units

Clayton Station accommodation

Clayton Station in the Flinders Ranges has opened two new luxury self-contained units. Each two-bedroom unit features full cooking facilities, air conditioning, modern furnishings, home entertainment equipment and a BBQ.
The 1609 square kilometre (1000 square mile) station is approximately 50 kilometres outside of Maree on the Birdsville Track. A campsite has been established on the property for several years and a hot spa has recently been opened to help well-travelled guests wind down. The station also offers five day trail riding adventures and tag-along 4-wheel-drive tours.

Click here for more information


Goin' off Safaris - Lake Eyre Safari Tour

Lake Eyre

Goin' off Safaris has launched a range of flight packages to show off the spectacular sights at Lake Eyre. The lake is at its fullest in nearly a decade and birdlife, animals and native flora are abundant in the area.
Chartered flights can be arranged from Coober Pedy, Adelaide or Port Lincoln. Tours can be half day, full day or overnight with accommodation at the Coopers Creek homestay in Innamincka. Besides the lake itself, highlights of the flights include the Painted Desert, Goyders Lagoon and William Creek.

Click here for more information


Events


Pedal Prix cars

Australian International Pedal Prix

17 - 20 September

Both machines and riders will be put to the test at the 2009 Australian International Pedal Prix at Sturt Reserve in Murray Bridge. The 24 hour race is the culmination of months of planning, constructing and training by teams taking to the track in their own self-designed pedal-powered vehicles. Separate races will be held for primary school, high school and open categories with more than 230 teams already registered.

More information

Bay to Birdwood cars

Bay to Birdwood Classic

27 September

More than 1500 vehicles, all built between 1956 and 1977, will take to the roads for the 2009 Bay to Birdwood Classic. The day kicks off with 'Breakfast with the Cars' at Adelaide Shores from 6am. The tour then gets underway at 9am, winding through the city and Adelaide Hills before ending at the National Motor Museum in Birdwood. Food stalls, wine tastings and live music throughout the day will all add to the finish line festivities.

More information

Upcoming Events in South Australia

South Australian Living Artists Festival

More Information

7 - 23 August

NAB Barossa Gourmet Weekend

More Information

22 - 23 August

Royal Adelaide Show

More Information

4 - 12 September

Golden Oldies World Hockey Festival

More Information

20 - 27 September

Global Green Challenge

More Information

18 - 25 October

Credit Union Christmas Pageant

More Information

14 November

Quirky SA Facts

South Australians holidaying ULTRA close-to-home

Beach holiday

With the current financial strain, it's no secret that many people are holidaying closer to home. What's surprising is that some people are choosing to holiday just a suburb or two away. Adelaide Shores Caravan Park and Resort says that around 100 guests who live just down the road in other beach-side suburbs are holidaying at the precinct for a week or more every year. The holiday-makers say being so close to home makes it easy for them to pop back and feed the animals or water the lawn!

Corporate News

This month's corporate news headlines:

  • July 1, 2009 - The Rann Government's ongoing commitment to building a better South Australian tourism future has been underlined by $120,000 funding for three new tourism ventures
  • July 3, 2009 - New funding from the Rann Government for 39 regional events and festivals will help cement South Australia's reputation as "the Festival State"
  • July 3, 2009 - 2010 Tour Down Under race routes revealed
  • July 17, 2009 - South Australia's bid to host the 13th World Tang Soo Do Championship has been successful with the martial art event to be staged in Adelaide in October and November 2009
  • July 20, 2009 - The announcement of extra flights to Adelaide from Sydney by low cost carrier Tiger Airways has been welcomed by the South Australian Tourism Commission
  • July 24, 2009 - Last chance for early bird prices for the 2010 Tour Down Under Mutual Community Challenge

For full media releases, please contact Regan Pingel at regan.pingel@tourism.sa.com or Laura Dare at laura.dare@tourism.sa.com.

 

 

In Brief

500 martial arts experts to descend on Adelaide

Adelaide has won its bid to host the 13th Tang Soo Do World Championships in October and November 2009. Between four and five hundred competitors from approximately 16 countries are expected to take part in the Korean martial art competition.
More information: Michelle Logie, SATC Events PR manager; email - michelle.logie@tourism.sa.com; phone - 08 8463 4695

 

Tour de France winner says Adelaide cycling experience was the best

2009 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador has told media that the happiest day of his life was in South Australia when he won the decisive penultimate stage of the Tour Down Under in 2005.The win came just eight months after he suffered a brain aneurism. He made the comment after winning the first stage of the Tour de France in the French Alps last month.

 

Grammy award winner to headline McLaren Vale winery event

Solo artist and Matchbox Twenty singer Rob Thomas has been announced as the headline act for the 2010 'A Day on the Green' festival at Leconfield Wines in McLaren Vale. The Grammy award winner will be supported by Australian talent Vanessa Amorosi for the music, wine and food event on 7 February.
More information: Sue Foster, Foster Hill PR; phone - (08) 8231 3555; email - suehill@fosterhill.com.au

 

Auge named restaurant of the year

The 2009 Restaurant & Catering SA Awards have been announced with Italian restaurant 'Auge' named Restaurant of the Year.  Other major award winners include the National Wine Centre, Chianti Classico, chef Cheog Liew and Amabile Ambrosini from Ambrosini's Restaurant.
More information: Sally Neville, Restaurant & Catering SA; phone - 0411 836 423; email - rcsa@restaurantcater.asn.au

 

Best South Australian pubs revealed

The Lion Hotel in North Adelaide has been named South Australian Hotel of the Year at the 2009 AHA/SA Hotel Industry Awards for Excellence. The venue also took out Best Restaurant - General Division for the fourth year running. Other multiple award winners included the Hilton Adelaide, the Ceduna Foreshore Hotel Motel, the Port Lincoln Hotel, the Highway and the Hilton Hotel in Hilton.
More information: Katherine Lediaev, AHA(SA); email - KLediaev@ahasa.asn.au; phone - 08 8100 2490 or 0413 233 208

 

Worldwide wine experts to visit Adelaide, Barossa

The fifth Australian Wine Industry Environment Conference will be held on 23 September at the National Wine Centre. Eighteen expert speakers from around the country will address the question 'how should the wine industry respond to global issues and legislative changes?'.  A technical tour of the Barossa region will follow on 24 September.   
More information: web - www.winesa.asn.au/09-proceedings/

 

Wolf Blass celebrates 75th birthday during wine show

The Hyatt Regency Adelaide will host a week-long celebration of South Australian wine from 25 - 30 August. Events will include gala dinners, tasting roadshows and masterclasses with renowned winemakers Stephen Henschke and Alex Bratasiuk. The South Australian Wine of the Year Awards and Wolf Blass's 75th birthday celebrations also form part of the program.
More information: web - www.hyattwineweek.com/adel_default.html

 

Meet the designers who dress Nicole, Kylie and Delta

As part of Hyatt Wine Week, the classic-meets-edgy haute couture of Alexis George will be showcased at a three course luncheon featuring Grant Burge wines. The brand, owned by husband and wife team Pat and George Georgiou, has dressed stars including Nicole Kidman, Kylie Minogue and Delta Goodrem. The charity event will be hosted by media personality Kelly Nestor and will feature musical performances from the musical 'Buddy'.
More information: web - www.alexisgeorge.com.au; email - info@alexisgeorge.com.au

 

New McLaren Vale wine tour excites the palate and tests the mind

The 'Amazing Taste Trail' has been designed to give wine lovers a chance to explore McLaren Vale on a scavenger-hunt style adventure.  Visitors can purchase the trail passport and then follow the cryptic clues on a route linking four cellar doors.  The pass also provides discounts on wine purchases and a free coffee.
More information: web - www.amazingtaste.com.au

 

Regional cafe picks up tourism award

The relaxed Lilla's Café in Yankalilla has won the inaugural "Tell Us" award at the Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism Awards. The café received a host of public nominations for its excellent service, charming atmosphere and enticing use of local produce. '3 Divas' chauffeured limousines, wine tours and accommodation also received a high commendation and Ros Miller, proprietor of Red Poles Gallery, received an award for her outstanding personal contribution to the Fleurieu Peninsula tourism industry.
More information: Roz Becker, Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism Manager; phone - 08 8556 8766; email - roz@fptour.com.au

 

Fishing for tips in South Australia's favourite playground

The new Yorke Peninsula Fishing Guide features easy-to-read maps, information on what species can be caught where and details for all fishing supply needs. In response to high demand, 80,000 copies have been printed and distributed to Visitor Information Centres around South Australia.
More information: web - www.southaustralia.com/YorkePeninsulaFishingBoating.aspx

 

Massive demand for Adelaide op shop tours

Just two months after being launched, 'You.. Us.. and a Bus' is already finding their op shopping bus tours selling out. Rowena and Shelly have designed several tours around op shops in different regions of Adelaide, taking groups of up to 40 people.  The original idea for the business came from a primary school parent association social event.
More information: web - www.youusandabus.com/index.htm

 

New tour for oyster lovers

A new package for visitors to Coffin Bay will be launched during the Eyre Peninsula Expo at the Arkaba Hotel this Sunday, 2 August. 'Experience Coffin Bay' will include two nights' accommodation at the Coffin Bay Beach House, a full day 4WD adventure around Coffin Bay National Park with Wilderness Wanders and a half day 'Seafood and Wildlife Cruise' with Coffin Bay Explorer.
More information: email - info@wildernesswanders.com.au

 

Eco-friendly holidays with a luxury edge

Also being launched at The Eyre Peninsula Expo is a three day package beginning with a two day Wilderness Wanders guided walk along the Whaler's Way coastline. Overnight camping facilities are provided for the first night, with the second night dedicated to relaxation in one of Tanonga's two luxury Eco Lodges.
More information: email - info@wildernesswanders.com.au

 

Take an air safari to see the masters of the sea

Chinta Tours is offering adventurers the chance to see Southern Right Whales from a bird's eye view, flying over the Head of Bight Marine Park. The whales have begun arriving in the warmer waters and Chinta are offering scenic flights for two or three passengers throughout the season.
More information: web - www.chinta.com.au

 

Baby penguins hatching on Granite Island

The first Little Penguin babies of the season have begun hatching on Granite Island off the Fleurieu Peninsula. Although the chicks in the wild will be hidden in their burrows for some weeks, visitors can observe the birds, learn about their characteristics and take photographs in the Penguin Rehabilitation Centre on Granite Island.
More information: web - www.graniteisland.com.au

 

World famous wine trail now even longer

A new section has been added to the Clare Valley Riesling Trail, extending it out to White Hut, north of Clare. The 34 kilometre trail begins at Auburn, passing through vineyards, natural bushland and farming land. The route also takes cyclists or walkers past many excellent cellar doors.
More information: web - www.southaustralia.com/ClareValleyRieslingTrail.aspx

 

Four new accommodation options on Fleurieu Peninsula

There are now four new accommodation options for people holidaying on the Fleurieu Peninsula: Great Southern Encounters has opened two architecturally designed, open-plan homes in Victor Harbor; Ivybrook Vineyard Cottage offers self-catering accommodation in rural surrounds at Maslin Beach; Minko Wines at Mount Compass is providing self-contained farmstay accommodation; and Hindmarsh Island Retreat is a unique, elevated two storey home on the quiet northern side of the island.
More information: Roz Becker, Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism Manager; email - info@fptour.com.au; phone - 08 8556 8766

 

Arrive by car, leave by boat

Yorke Peninsula Tourism is offering visitors the chance to win over $15,000 worth of prizes just by collecting stamps from local businesses. The prize is a 3.8m motorised dinghy loaded with accommodation, meal, attraction, ferry and shopping vouchers, fishing and beach gear, beer and wine.
More information: Jo Barrie, Yorke Peninsula Tourism Manager; phone - 0417 838 768; email - rmm@yorkepeninsula.com.au.


For more information on any of the above stories please contact Anna Bartsch at
anna.bartsch@tourism.sa.com or Nicole Walsh at nicole.walsh@tourism.sa.com.