BIG4 Adelaide Shores Caravan Park has introduced six eco tents, an ideal way of camping for those wanting to pack light and not worry about setting up. The Eco Tents are furnished with tables and chairs, storage cabinets, a queen size bed and a double bunk bed, internal light and power sources, two shaded decks and an esky.
The Eco Tents are an innovative and sustainable form of accommodation allowing guests to enjoy greater connection with the natural environment, while providing maximum comfort.
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Andrew Wigan says, in 30 years as chief winemaker at Peter Lehmann Wines, the grass has never been greener on the other side of the fence. The man named Winemaker of the Year by Gourmet Traveller Wine has been with the company since it was founded in 1979 to support local growers. Andrew says the Lehmann’s team attitude and passion is as strong as ever today and it’s those values, plus"a lot of fun" that have kept him there. With another hectic vintage just a couple of months away, Peter will first prep the way he knows best – at his Aldinga shack, strolling the beach, playing a bit of golf and "basically doing bugger all – absolutely marvellous".

Have you ever wondered how the soon-to-be head of Tourism Australia keeps his SATC staff members so enthusiastic and on their toes? Perhaps it's the way he sends his fluorescent green AFL footy sailing past their heads in the open plan office on Friday afternoons. Of course these same staff members are inspired by Andrew McEvoy's dynamic leadership, broad industry knowledge and passionate vision. Although the SATC will be sad to see Andrew go at the end of the month, his legacy will remain in the SA team's commitment to raising the state's tourism value to $6.3 billion within the next six years.

While working as an advertising art director in Sydney, Jacqueline Coates decided to take her boss's advice and make a career out of her hobby. She set up her new life in the Clare Valley where the surroundings inspire her to paint. She says "it's all about the light in the atmosphere, the landscape, the spaciousness, the produce, the crusty farmers' markets; a natural environment". After receiving  some good humoured flack for some of her design choices – such as hanging chandeliers from corrugated iron and painting one room deep magenta – Jacqueline turned an old mechanics workshop into  a beautiful gallery named Salon Rouge, now a well known hub for artists and art lovers.

Adventure Tours Australia Group, Cleland Wildlife Park, Lakeside Manor YHA Backpackers and Bookabee Tours Australia have been inducted into the State’s Tourism Hall of Fame at the 2009 South Australian Tourism Awards.  Twenty seven awards were presented to businesses and individuals judged to be the most outstanding in each category. A further 73 entrants who achieved a high standard in their category were recognised with a gold, silver or bronze medal.
More information - Anneliese Powell: email anneliese@satic.com.au; ph 8110 0127

Adelaide Airport has been voted Australia’s Capital City Airport of the Year by its peers at the 2009 Australian Aviation Industry Awards in Sydney. It is the second time Adelaide Airport has won the award in the past four years. The Australian Airports Association has recognised Adelaide Airport for its “major step forward in industry leadership”, in particular in the area of wildlife management.
More information - Hughes Public Relations: email central@hughespr.com.au; ph 08 8412 4100

South Australia's McGuigan Wines has been named Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine and Spirits Competition. McGuigan also won the Australian Producer of the Year trophy, presented during a gala awards ceremony at London's Guildhall. Chief Winemaker Neil McGuigan collected a third prize - the Jancis Robinson Trophy for Riesling - for McGuigan Earth's Portrait Riesling 2004.
More information - The Mint Partners Genevieve Taubman: email genevieve@themintpartners.com.au;
ph 02 8354 0702

Chain of Ponds Wines has taken home two trophies for its 2009 Black Thursday Sauvignon Blanc and 2006 Corkscrew Rd Chardonnay at the Wine For Asia Awards, held at a gala dinner in Singapore. The award will see Chain of Ponds in a strong position to grow their business throughout the Asian region.

More information – email info@winestyleasiaaward.com

Woodside Cheese Wrights has picked up a gold medal at the prestigious World Cheese Awards. The popular Hand Made Pure Goat Milk Feta won gold, along with two silver medals for the company's famous Goat Curd and Fresh Goat Chevre.   

More information - Kris Lloyd: ph 0403 057 702

Comfort Inn Augusta Westside and Flinders and Outback Water Cruises will proceed with the investment and development of five new luxury apartments with more to follow.  Each room will feature a modern Coastal Outback décor incorporating art depicting the region.  The units are expected to be completed early next year. 

More information – www.augustawestside.com.au; Aaron Morgan: email aaron@augustawestside.com.au; ph 0438 857 001

Adelaide’s newest upscale hotel, the Crowne Plaza Adelaide, is on track for an opening in early 2010 – and is already taking bookings for the New Year. Located in the heart of Adelaide’s CBD on Hindmarsh Square, the Crowne Plaza Adelaide will be the first newly built, internationally branded hotel to open its doors in South Australia in more than twenty years and the 16th Crowne Plaza in Australia.

More information - Julia Angove: email julia@hughespr.com.au; ph 08 8412 4109

Sharp Airlines will make its experimental Avalon-to-Adelaide service a permanent fixture from 4 January 2010 following overwhelming success in the route's trial which started in October.

More information - Heidi Sheil Jarvis: 0438 778 161

Myponga Bank, a gift store and coffee shop on the Fleurieu Peninsula, will expand beyond its doors, setting up stalls with local farmers and producers to form a Farmers’ Market. The market will offer fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, bread, local wine, cheese, flowers and more.

More information - Julia Loughlin: email julia.loughlin@ppr.com.au; ph 08 8114 6166

Two new lighting features will join this year's SA Brewing Christmas Riverbank Display on the edge of the Torrens River in Thebarton in Adelaide. A sizeable Christmas tree centrepiece fixed to a brewery truck and a seven-metre high Nativity Inn will form part of the 500 metre long spectacle. 

More information - Robbi Tims: ph 0418 834 823

As part of its official charity partnership with the Santos Tour Down Under, the Cancer Council SA has created an innovative fundraising campaign targeting participants in the 2010 Mutual Community Challenge Tour. The campaign will offer a range of prizes for the highest fundraisers.

More information - Jessica Playford: ph 08 8291 4119, 0400 855 244

One of music's most-loved and celebrated stars, Sir Tom Jones, will headline the next 'A Day on the Green'concert at Annie's Lane Winery in the Clare Valley on Saturday 6 March 2010. Special guest support artist will be David Campbell, a well known multi-talented performer and Artistic Director of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival.

More information - www.adayonthegreen.com.au; Sue Hill: email suehill@fosterhill.com.au; ph 08 8231 3555

The Adelaide Festival Centre has announced its year-long program for 2010 with a mix of Australian and international entertainment.  The Adelaide Cabaret Festival, OzAsia Festival and Adelaide International Guitar Festival will be the major highlights for 2010, and the program will also include a mix of theatre, music, dance, visual arts and exhibitions.

More information - www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au; Petrina Egan: email petrina.egan@adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au; ph 08 8216 8699, 0423 324 288

As Adelaide is hosting the Australian Tourism Exchange in May 2010, our famils team will be working overtime to accommodate all our extra guests. As such, we will have very limited to capacity to book NEW famils between mid March and the end of June.

OF COURSE WE STILL WANT YOU TO COME! We are always keen for visitors, we’d just love it if during this hectic period you could give us as much early notice as possible!

More information – Nicole Walsh: email nicole.walsh@tourism.sa.com; ph 08 8463 4584