August 2011


Shrug off the winter chills and hit the road to check out the latest on SA's tourism scene

New Accommodation and Tours

Barossa Backpackers

Barossa Backpackers

Ever fancied doing a vintage? Or just want to spend a weekend with mates in the beautiful Barossa? Barossa Backpackers is fresh on the accommodation scene in the wine region and caters for backpackers, flashpackers and short term workers. With a variety of rooms from ten-bed dorms to double private rooms, the modern and clean backpackers is a great place to rest your weary bones after a day exploring the wineries of the Barossa. More information

Coast & Vines @ Moana Beach

Coast & Vines @ Moana Beach

Get a group of friends together and pack out this up market beach house on the Fleurieu Peninsula that sleeps 12 people. Just 200 metres from the beach and a five minute drive to McLaren Vale, guests can divide their time between wine tasting and soaking up the sun on the beach. With four bedrooms and close to shops and public transport, Coast & Vines @ Moana Beach is the perfect place to relax and unwind. More information

Captain Cook Cruises

Captain Cook Cruises

Take to South Australia's Mighty Murray River this summer on one of two seven-night cruises by Captain Cook Cruises. The first, from Mannum to Renmark, and the second, from Renmark to Mannum, will feature wine tasting at the Burk Salter Vineyard at Blanchetown, eco-excursions and guided nature walks. Pass through the towns of Portee Bar, Kingston on Murray, Cobdogla, Moorook, Morgan, Waikerie, Loxton and Berri. By night, people can enjoy the live entertainment at the Captain's Dinner and Cocktail Party. More information

Camawald Coonawarra Cottage B & B

Camawald Coonawarra Cottage B&B

This tranquil property offers you all the space you need, situated on the 10 acres of Camawald Gardens in Coonawarra on the Limestone Coast. Camawald Coonawarra Cottage B&B sleeps up to six people in two bedrooms, each with an ensuite, and provides supplies for a cooked breakfast. Guests can explore the huge gardens, play tennis on the lawn court or view the lake. The cottage provides an ideal base to explore Coonawarra wine region and nearby Robe, Mt Gambier and Kingston. More information

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New Food, Wine and Lifestyle Products

No. 58 Cellar Door & Gallery

No. 58 Cellar Door & Gallery

Combining wine, art and farm gate produce, No. 58 Cellar Door & Gallery is a feast for the senses. Presented in a modern and light building in Port Elliot on the Fleurieu Peninsula, visitors can sample Mt Billy Wines and Thunderbird Wines before viewing a range of art from local, national and international artists. The gallery displays a plethora of talent with jewellery, glass, paintings and ceramics on show. To cap it off, guests can enjoy coffee and cake or take some farm gate produce home with them.  More information

Coopers 2011 Vintage Ale

Coopers 2011 Vintage Ale

Need something to beat the winter chill? Coopers Brewery has the answer with its newly released Coopers 2011 Vintage Ale. Described as 'rich and sensuous,' the ale has a stimulant that acts as an antidote to the winter chill and is well matched with winter warmers such as wholesome meat or poultry dishes. Containing barley grown in the Clare Valley, the Coopers 2011 Vintage Ale can be enjoyed now or cellared to enhance the toffee flavours that will develop with age. More information

Bottega Rotolo Cooking School

A new look for an old favourite. Head to Bottega Rotolo's in Adelaide for the ultimate cooking experience and take advantage of the brand new kitchen. Installed with custom kitchen appliances, the refitted kitchen includes 76 centimetre Paris ovens, award winning CoolDrawers, VentSurfaces, induction cook tops and a gas CookSurface that allows for both electric and gas cooking options.  Learn the tricks of the trade and whip up Italian, French and Spanish culinary delights in the dazzling new kitchen. More information

Bottega Rotolo Cooking School

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SA Faces

Horst Endrulat

Horst was able to turn his favourite SA holiday destination into his home when he accepted a job as Manager of the Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre in Peterborough, Southern Flinders Ranges. A long way from his home country of Germany, Horst has always been interested in trains and now gets the biggest reward from customers' feedback. "It's most satisfying to see the enthusiastic response of customers after they've finished the guided tours of Steamtown or watched the sound and light show and tell their friends about it," Horst says. With Steamtown reaching 10,000 paying customers in July this year, Horst's next goal is to crack the 15,000 customer mark by the end of 2011/12.

Horst Endrulat
Andrew 'Cosi' Costello

Andrew 'Cosi' Costello

South Australian ambassador Andrew 'Cosi' Costello thinks the world of South Australia and will be sharing the love with TV audiences when his show 'South Aussie with Cosi' starts in November. "We do have the best, most amazing backyard anyone could want but the trouble is that tonnes of people don't make the effort to get out there and explore it. That's what my TV show plans to change!" South Aussie with Cosi will showcase regional South Australia and provide families and friends with ideas for affordable SA getaways. Having spent much of his youth exploring SA and bedding down on his swag, Cosi's ultimate SA holiday destination is the Flinders Ranges and Outback. While Cosi's TV show will keep him busy, you can still tune in to Triple M on weekdays from 1pm to 4pm to hear him. Asked what SA's unofficial emblem should be - Cosi has a few ideas: "Maybe Winky Dink swimming on a flooded Lake Eyre and Humphrey Bear sitting at the bar of the William Creek Hotel chatting up Jane Reilly - that's pretty South Australian!"

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Upcoming Events

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Story Ideas

  • Peel off the winter layers and check out Adelaide's alfresco dining scene

  • Hit the walking trails and get a sneak-preview of spring's flowers

  • Embrace your inner rev-head with the Australian Classic Motocross Championships and the Classic Targa Adelaide after a trip to the Birdwood Motor Museum

  • Can marathon runners ever be over the hill? Find out at this year's Australian Masters Games

  • Get hands on and take a master-class at the 2011 CheeseFest

  • Learn how to care for our planet against a backdrop of music at the first Earth Station festival held in Belair National Park


  • For more information on any of these story ideas, please contact us

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    News Updates

    New southaustralia.com live now!

    The much-awaited new southaustralia.com is now live and boasts innovative search and booking capabilities and striking visual design. Booking a South Australian holiday has never been easier and potential visitors can now browse, plan and book their perfect holiday online without having to leave the southaustralia.com website.
    More information: Dale Webster: dale.webster@tourism.sa.com; 08 8463 4649

    Lobethal Bierhaus brews best

    The Lobethal Bierhaus has dominated this year's Royal Adelaide Beer Show, winning Champion Exhibitor, Small Brewery, South Australian Brewery and Champion Porter categories. Coopers also featured strongly, winning the Champion Stout and Large Brewery titles.
    More information: Michelle Hocking: 0419 185 314

    Big upgrades on horizon for tourism businesses

    Ten South Australian tourism businesses will undergo exciting upgrades having received grants under the Tourism Quality Projects grant scheme. Sticky Rice Cooking School in the Adelaide Hills will use its grant to branch into accommodation with three Asian Villas. Gemtree Vineyards on the Fleurieu Peninsula will use its grant to build an environmentally sustainable cellar door, while Bungaree Station in Clare will develop an interactive trail focusing on the station's historic background.
    More information: http://www.ret.gov.au/tourism/tourism_programs/tq/Pages/default.aspx   

    Penfolds Magill Estate claims victory

    Penfolds Magill Estate has been named Restaurant of the Year and Best Fine Dining Restaurant at the recent Annual Awards for Excellence for Restaurant & Catering SA. Other recipients of awards included The Food Business, Cork & Cleaver Restaurant and Nu Thai.
    More information: Sally Neville: rcsa@restaurantcater.asn.au; 08 83517837

    Flinders documentary nominated for Emmys

    'First Life with David Attenborough,' a documentary part filmed in the State's Flinders Ranges, has been nominated for three Emmys, with the ceremony to be held in September this year. Nominated for Best Nature Program, Best Writer and Best Graphics, the documentary traces the first appearance of animals half a billion years ago.
    More information: http://firstlifeseries.com/

    Beerenberg takes out top award

    Success is sweet for family-owned business Beerenberg Farm which took out this year's Telstra SA Business of the Year Award. What started as a strawberry growing business more than 30 years ago has turned into an international condiments brand.
    More information: Anthony Paech: admin@beerenberg.com.au; 08 8388 7272

    SA operator wins 2011 Produce Award

    South Australia has been represented at this year's ABC delicious. Produce Awards with Kinkawooka Shellfish Co taking out the 'From the Sea' and 'Producer of the Year' awards for their Petit Bouchot mussel.
    More information: Jim Kon: jim@sbpr.com.au; 02 9555 2285

    Ride like Cadel

    Cyclists inspired by Cadel's amazing win at the Tour De France can try for their own cycling glory by signing up for the 2012 Bupa Challenge Tour as part of the Santos Tour Down Under.
    More information: Jess Hurt: Jessica.hurt@tourism.sa.com; 08 8463 4695

    Adelaide Central YHA hits double figures

    The Adelaide Central YHA celebrates its tenth birthday this month. The Waymouth Street hostel has been a home away from home for more than 500,000 independent travellers from around Australia and the world since opening its doors in 2001.  In its ten years, Adelaide Central YHA has won seven awards for best backpacker accommodation in South Australia.
    More information: Di Caught: di@yhasa.org.au; 08 8414 3006

    Listen up at the Old Timers Mine

    Get the most out of your visit to the Old Timers Mine at Coober Pedy with new audio guides that give insight into life underground. Explore the 45 points of interest and learn about how opal is mined and how the Old Timers Mine was constructed. More information: Trevor Berry: otm@berrydopals.com.au; 08 8672 5555

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    Rigoni's Bistro

    Media Gallery News

    Alfresco dining in the city

    Spectacular new images of alfresco dining spots in and around Adelaide are now available on the Media Gallery. The Manse, Rigoni's Bistro, the Treasury, River Cafe, Grange Jetty Cafe and Cos restaurant all feature, highlighting a few of Adelaide's favourite places to enjoy food and wine outdoors.  We have also added some great new shots of the North Terrace precinct.
    New images that showcase the bright lights of the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, including the unique entrance feature 'The Orb', have just been added, plus  there are some great new landscape shots of Adelaide. Taken from the River Cafe, these shots overlook the River Torrens with the city in the background.
    All of these images are visible under 'latest additions' on the Media Gallery homepage.

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