The whale season has started in South Australia, with Southern Right Whales already spotted in coastal waters. The whales head to South Australian waters between June and October and are a major tourism draw card for the State. The best locations for whale watching are at Head of Bight on the Eyre Peninsula and around Victor Harbor on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
For more information on the latest sightings: The SA Whale Information Hotline on 1900 931 223.

Participants in next year’s Mutual Community Challenge Tour as part of the 2008 Tour Down Under will pedal the same 134km route between Mannum and Strathalbyn as the world’s elite cyclists. Keen cyclists are already being urged to start training for the event, with registrations for the popular public events, including the Mutual Community Challenge Tour, Fun Tour and Mini Tour for Kids officially opening from 12 July, 2007.
For more information: www.tourdownunder.com.au

Three new Regional Marketing Managers have been appointed by the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) and regional marketing boards to promote tourism across the State. Tania O’Neil has been appointed as Regional Marketing Manager for Kangaroo Island, Biddie Tietz has taken on the same role in the Limestone Coast, while Christine van der Jeugd is the new Regional Marketing Manager for the Clare Valley. All three have collectively more than 30 years’ marketing experience and will work closely with local councils and the SATC to develop and implement marketing strategies to increase visitation to regional South Australia. The three new Regional Marketing Managers join their counterparts in promoting South Australia’s 12 tourism regions to visitors from overseas, interstate and locally. The roles are partly funded by the SATC and local government.
For more information: Julia Angove, Media Communications Manager at the South Australian Tourism Commission on 08 8463 4610 or 0434 473 900

Increasing tourism along South Australia’s Murray River is the aim of a major State Government campaign. The $120,000 Brilliant Murray River campaign, which has run during June, was aimed at supporting the State’s houseboat and tourism businesses along the River and included television, press and online advertising in key interstate markets. The campaign has been designed to combat the mistaken view what water in the Murray River is too low for houseboating, with tourists able to book participating product until the end of August.
For more information: www.southaustralia.com or call the South Australian Visitor and Travel Centre on 1300 655 215.

Move over Mayfair, the Barossa – South Australia’s iconic wine region – is now the number one location on the new Australian version of Monopoly. The updated version of Monopoly saw the Barossa topple regions from around Australia to be number one. Adelaide claimed second spot on the new Monopoly Board and will join the Barossa on one of the prestigious dark blue squares, taking over the sport traditionally occupied by Park Lane.
For more information: Racheal Klitscher, Regional Marketing Manager, Tourism Barossa on (08) 8563 0662.

The State’s food, wine and tourism industries will benefit from a new Advisory Panel selected by the Minister for Tourism to provide strategic advice about the future of food and wine tourism. The Wine and Food Tourism Working Group will form part of the Minister’s Tourism Round Table and will work with the SATC in developing its new Wine and Food Tourism Strategy. Members include Karen Ronning from Zema Estate Wines in the Coonawarra; Elaine Ratcliffe from Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre and Richmond Grove Winery in the Barossa; Marc Dobson from Hahndorf Hill winery in the Adelaide Hills; Pip Forrester from Chapel Hill Gourmet Retreat in the Fleurieu Peninsula; Caroline Densley from Diverse Travel; David Cowperthwaite from Clare Valley Experiences; Barbara Storey from Wine Barossa; Neil Schultz from Prime Mini Tours; Susan Berlin from Island Pure Sheep Dairy on Kangaroo Island; Mark McNamara from Peppers the Louise in the Barossa; and Uby Faddoul from the Fosters Group.
For more information: Julia Angove, South Australian Tourism Commission on 8463 4610.

Renowned landscape photographer Stavros Pippos has unveiled his latest book – a 132-page celebration of the best landscapes in South Australia. Light on Earth features 63 colour plates of locations in South Australia – some instantly recognisable and others treasured secrets. Stavros has spent six years creating the work featured in this book, and believes it is his best yet. Images feature the coastline facing the southern ocean, the Flinders Ranges and the deserts in the north of the State. Works from the book are currently on display at the David Jones Gallery, 3rd floor, Rundle Mall until August 12. Light on Earth, RRP $95 (incl.GST) will also be available at most major Adelaide bookshops.
For more information: Stavros Pippos, 0408 995 770.

Adelaide’s first annual Fringe has been hailed a success with up to 830,000 people attending performances and events and spending $21 million in South Australia. Minister assisting in the Arts John Hill said research conducted during the 2007 Adelaide Fringe confirmed the event had made a significant contribution in terms of value to the SA community. “For the first time the Adelaide Fringe was held annually this year – and it certainly made its mark on Adelaide and indeed our State, bringing many visitors to see the events and providing an economic windfall for SA,’’ he said. Chairwoman of Adelaide Fringe Judy Potter said: “We are thrilled with the economic results for this, our first annual Fringe. Local, national and international audiences and artists have truly embraced the Adelaide Fringe in its annual format - these economic impact and attendance figures are evidence of this and we are delighted.” Adelaide Fringe will be staged next year from February 22 to March 16.

Volunteers are an integral part of Monarto Zoo and its success as a leading tourist attraction. Monarto Volunteer Guide duties include leading safari bus tours and walking groups through Monarto Zoo, static guiding, assisting with promotional displays, providing commentary and interpretive information about the park’s conservation programs, about native and exotic wildlife and about regional tourism. To further develop their volunteer program, Monarto Zoo are holding a series of TAFE accredited training courses for Volunteer Guides on 11/12 (Sat/Sun) and 18/19 (Sat/Sun) August 2007 at Monarto Zoo. A course fee of $25.00 (including GST) applies and registration is essential. All potential volunteer guides must be members of the Royal Zoological Society of South Australia, Inc prior to the training period. Volunteer guides should be prepared for a minimum of one rostered day per month (either week days or weekends), and be 18 years or older.
For more information contact Ngareta Cronin on 08 8534 4100, 0417 860 808 or email ncronin@zoossa.com.au

At this year’s City of West Torrens Environment Awards luncheon held at the Hamra Centre Library Auditorium in Hilton on World Environment Day, Adelaide Shores was announced as the winner of the 2007 Business Environment Award for its commitment to restoring coastal habitats within the City. Adelaide Shores has long been environmentally aware, utilising reclaimed water to irrigate its Caravan Resort, Holiday Village, public golf courses and sports reserves for the past 40 years, among other environmental initiatives. But this award recognises in particular Adelaide Shores’ work during the past five years. Adelaide Shores also maintains one kilometre of coastal boardwalk, allowing the community to enjoy the beauty of the coast without damaging its delicate and critical ecosystem. With a detailed environmental management plan in place, Adelaide Shores will work to protect this valuable section of the metropolitan coast into the future.

Kingston SE's Larry the Lobster will appear in a series of stamps celebrating Australia's ‘big things’. Larry will join Tamworth's Big Guitar, Coffs Harbour's Big Banana, Goulburn's Big Merino and Nambour's Big Pineapple in a tribute to Australia's love affair with ‘big’ roadside monuments. The stamp series was designed by free-spirited artist and musician, Reg Mombassa, well known for his irreverent designs for surf ware company Mambo Graphics. Larry will also appear on series of postcards, which carry real-life images of the five oversized icons. The stamps and postcards are available from participating Australian Post outlets.

Mark Cully, Chair of the Advisory Committee of the Adelaide Festival of Ideas launched the full program for the 5th Festival on 5 June.The Festival's 2007 theme, Which way to the future?, taps into the big issues of the moment such as; how to meet our future energy and water needs; living in a world where China and India are global super-powers, and balancing security and freedom in an age of terror and uncertainty. Almost 60 sessions will be held between 5 and 8 July at various venues along North Terrace, Adelaide. Thirty-eight international and Australian speakers will each give a solo talk, and take part in a variety of conversations and panel sessions. Free programs with information on all sessions and participating speakers are available now. Visit www.adelaidefestivalofideas.com.au or pick up a hard copy from BASS outlets, metropolitan libraries and selected bookstores.

Dudley Wines has purchased the rambling homestead ‘Surbiton’ and plans to turn this historic 130-year-old building into a new cellar door facility to take advantage of the spectacular coastline views west of Penneshaw. Plans are also underway to incorporate a purpose-built professional kitchen to service a 70-80 seat cafe/restaurant and tourist facility. Dudley Wines have received funding from by the South Australian Tourism Commission’s Tourism Development Fund, to assist them in attracting more tourists and strengthen the tourism industry on Kangaroo Island. The building is situated in Penneshaw and offers excellent access to the ever-increasing tourist numbers disembarking the SeaLink ferry from Cape Jervis. The redevelopment plans are with the designers, and pending approvals, it is hoped the renovations will commence soon with a grand opening planned for late 2007. The Cellar Door and Cafe at Cape Willoughby that will continue to operate until that time.

Lobethal’s Heart of the Hills Market has emerged as a true South Australian regional tourism success story following a rapid rise in visitor numbers since it opened in December 2003. The market, which features more than 45 premium stallholders, attracted more than 135,000 visitors in 2006, compared to approximately 90,000 in 2004. Heart of the Hills Market Director Mike Willoughby said crowds had continued to embrace the market this year with a further increase of 26 per cent recorded at the end of April, compared to the same time last year. “Our indoor market has really struck a chord with visitors from South Australia, interstate and overseas,” Mr Willoughby said. “From the freshest Adelaide Hills produce, to unique giftwares and homewares, Heart of the Hills is a one of a kind tourism experience.” Encapsulating the essence of the Adelaide Hills and its environs, the market features its own unique style and has been recognised for its high-quality vendors, producers and crafters. It is surrounded by a range of other drawcards, including a woollen mill museum in progress, National Costume Museum and the new Gallery at the Mill, as well as businesses including cellar door and winery Tilbrook Estate, Lobethal Bierhaus and Adelaide Hills Wine Cellar. The market is open from 10am to 4pm from Friday to Sunday each week and entry is free.




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