The 2007 edition of the Barossa’s official visitor guide is out now, showcasing the region’s wine, food, arts, shopping, touring, nature based and family friendly activities plus accommodation choices. The free guide provides comprehensive information for people planning a holiday or travelling in the Barossa, and includes new RAA maps, including a tourism region map showing significant attractions, and a dedicated wine region map showing cellar door and dining locations. A town directory and dedicated trails section have also been added to the guide. Copies are available from the South Australian Visitor & Travel Centre on 1300 366 770 or online at www.barossa.com
More information: www.barossa.com

The Adelaide Fringe has launched its first annual Visual Arts Guide. A work of art in itself, the guide is a showcase of the finest in local, interstate and international visual art. It features details of more than 80 artists exhibiting their work in more than 70 venues during the Fringe Festival, and has something on offer for every art-lover, be it experimental, commercial, traditional or contemporary.
More information: www.adelaidefringe.com.au

Amanda Edwards, the sous chef of Adelaide's Promenade Restaurant, has become the first female chef from the Pacific Rim to feature on the website of the World Association of Chefs' Societies (WACS). WACS is a prestigious global network of chefs associations, dedicated to maintaining and improving the culinary standards of global cuisines.
More information: www.wacs2000.org

Monarto Zoo is once again recruiting volunteer tour guides to assist in delivering the message about the Park’s outstanding work with its conservation programs. Monarto Volunteer Guide duties include leading safari bus tours and walking groups through Monarto Zoological Park. Training courses for volunteer guides will be held in March and April.
More information: 08 8534 4100

The latest edition in the Beautiful Accommodation books series is now available from good bookshops. Beautiful Accommodation in South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory includes details of a range of gorgeous boutique accommodation throughout South Australia.
More information: www.beautifulaccommodation.com

New security arrangements are being introduced from 31 March for passengers on international flights to and from Australia. Under the new arrangements, passengers will only be allowed to carry a small amount of liquids, such as aerosols and gels, in their carry-on baggage. Liquids will only be allowed in carry-on baggage if they are in containers up to 100ml in capacity and these containers are put in a one-litre, resealable transparent plastic bag. There are some exemptions to the new restrictions for duty free purchases, medicines and baby products. There will be no changes to the amount of aerosols, liquids and gels you are allowed to pack in checked baggage.
More information: www.dotars.gov.au.

Powerhouse Discovery Tours has created a tour to Woomera to celebrate the destination’s 60th anniversary celebrations. The tour will be led by the Powerhouse Museum’s Curator of Space Technology, Kerrie Dougheand, and will run 6 to 9 April. Departing from Adelaide, the trip will include a guided museum and range tour at Woomera, as well as a range of special anniversary activities.
More information: www.renaissancetours.com.au/back-to-woomera

The South Australian Tourism Alliance will be holding a number of free workshops across South Australia to provide tourism operators with information on better ways to establish, run and promote what they do through the e-learning Quality Tourism Portal. The aim of this program is to establish a voluntary, industry-led method of accreditation and business improvement. Bookings on 0419 856 927
More information: www.satourismalliance.net or 08 8237 3803

The Barossa is set to feature in the promotion of 20th Century Fox movie A Good Year, starring Russell Crowe and Albert Finney. The promotion will give anyone who rents A Good Year from one of 500 Video Ezy stores around Australia between 12-26 March, the chance to win a weekend in the Barossa. The prize includes return domestic airfares to Adelaide from the winner’s nearest capital city, two nights accommodation in the Barossa, a full day wine region tour including lunch, and dinner in an award-winning Barossa restaurant.
More information: 08 8563 0662

The Hurley Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Gareth Dunne to the position of General Manager of the new Port Lincoln Hotel. Mr Dunne brings extensive experience in tourism, hospitality and gaming to the role, having worked in hotels and resorts throughout Australia for the past 17 years. Due to open in November 2007, the four-star, 111-room Port Lincoln Hotel will be the largest on the Eyre Peninsula, and is expected to create more than 100 jobs. Valued at over $45 million, the development is being constructed by the Sarin Group and leased by prominent Adelaide hoteliers Peter and Jenny Hurley, in conjunction with Adelaide Crows footballers Mark Riccuito and Simon Goodwin.
More information: 0408 823 831

The Flinders Ranges’ Pichi Richi Camel Tours have been certified through the ECO Certification Program at the ecotourism level. The world first Eco Certification Program has been developed by industry for industry to identify genuine ecotourism and nature tourism operators in Australia. It is now being exported to the rest of the world as the International Ecotourism Standard.
More information: www.ecotourism.org.au

Hyatt Regency Adelaide, winemaker Grant Burge and South Australian artist Tom Cleghorn have collaborated to create the new 2004 Whisper Valley Shiraz. This vibrant, full-bodied wine was handcrafted exclusively for the hotel by Grant Burge, while Tom Gleghorn was the creative talent behind the eye-catching artwork on its bottle. Whisper Valley is available exclusively from Hyatt Regency Adelaide and takes pride of place on each of the hotel’s restaurant wine lists.
More information: 08 8231 1234

A new website has been launched to increase awareness of eco-sensitive camping in Australia. The Eco-Camping Australia website provides information on how to camp without leaving anything behind except wheel tracks and footprints.
More information: www.ecocampingaustralia.com

Coopers beers have become the first real Australian-made beer to be sold in all 50 mainland US states. As the result of a distribution agreement, the US Outback Steakhouse Company will now sell bottles of Coopers Sparkling Ale and Lager are in all of its 775 Outback Steakhouse franchises, opening the way for the beers to be sold in other outlets in each state.
More information: www.coopers.com.au

South Australia has again proved its title as the nation’s wine capital, with SA wines winning 20 of the 25 table wine trophy categories at this year’s Sydney Royal Wine Show. Hardy Wine Company's 2004 Eileen Hardy Chardonnay won four awards, including the prestigious prize best wine of the show.
More information: www.sydneyroyalshows.com.au

High Beam Global, Australia’s international celebration of arts and disability, will take place as part of the Adelaide Fringe, showcasing the best in disability arts, from performance to visual art to screen and digital. Established in 1998, High Beam began as a biennial festival and quickly grew to become the largest event of its type in the southern hemisphere. High Beam Global 2007 will set a new benchmark as the first annual High Beam program.
More information: www.artsaccess-sa.org.au

The Barossa Valley Cheese Company’s “Washington Washrind” has been judged the best washed rind cheese in Australia at the 2007 Grand Dairy Awards. The cheese is produced by Victoria Glaetzer in the heart of Angaston, South Australia. The Barossa Valley Cheese Company is open for tastings and sales seven-days a week at 67B Murray Street in Angaston.
More information: 08 8564 3636

Issa (formerly Jane Siberry) will perform exclusively in Australia at
The Adelaide Cabaret Festival in June. Like fellow Canadian musical pioneers Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and k.d. Lang, Issa’s poetic and individual musical style has earned her a devoted following around the world. The full Adelaide Cabaret Festival program will be announced in April.
More information: www.adelaidecabaretfestival.com

On the last Sunday of every month, the Adelaide Showground Farmers’ Markets hold a masterclass featuring some of South Australia’s leading food and wine identities. In March, Peter Lloyd will present a class on how to make real French croissants, and in April, Genevieve Harris will demonstrate how to preserve end of summer produce.
More information: www.asfm.org.au

Five South Australian food producers have been named finalists in the Vogue Entertaining and Travel Audi Produce Awards 2007. Joseph Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Simarloo Glace Fruit are finalists in the ‘from the earth’ category, while Mayura Station Wagyu is a finalist in the ‘from the paddock’ category. The Barossa Valley Cheese Company and Woodside Cheese Wrights are the other SA finalists, in the ‘from the dairy’ category. The winners will be announced on 13 March.
More information: www.vogue.com.au

Preserving and pickling are important traditions in the Barossa, and there is probably no food more closely associated with the Barossa than dills. This traditional Barossan fare is still very much a part of the region’s local food culture, and is celebrated at the Tanunda Show’s South Australian Dill Cucumber Championship on 10 March. Entry into the championship is free and entries close 8 March.
More information: 08 8563 3360 or 08 85632156

As part of Palaeontology Week, the South Australian Museum is holding a free Geofossil Tourism Forum, 2-4pm, 26 March. Join Professor Rod Wells and the panel for an interactive discussion and perspective on existing and potential “geofossil” tourism product, collaborative opportunities and future initiatives. Booking by email to suemikk@arcom.com.au by 21 March are essential.
More information: 08 8207 7500





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