It's a mile along McMurtrie Road from Hunt Road to Main Road McLaren Vale and within that short distance there are six wineries, two restaurants, two art galleries, art workshops, B&B accommodation and olive oil tastings.  Walk it, ride it or drive it – the choice is yours! Oxygen Cycles in the main street of McLaren Vale has bicycles for hire if you don't want to bring your own. Places to visit along the McMurtrie Mile include The Salopian Inn, Dowie Doole, Gemtree, Primo Estate, Hugh Hamilton, Wirra, Wirra and Pertaringa Winery and Red Poles.
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It's that time of the year again - you can sense the excitement in the air. It is when South Australia truly lives up to its reputation as the heart of the Australian arts scene.  And no one is more excited than Adelaide Fringe CEO Sandy Verschoor. "It's absolutely the best time of the year to be in Adelaide, the weather is perfect, there's so much going on and the city comes alive," she says. "Everyone suspends their normal routines and starts taking risks, heading to shows that they'll either love or hate, giving them something interesting to talk about with their friends."  Sandy believes the appeal of Adelaide is its geography, with the city-grid making it virtually impossible to get lost, and its reputation as the '20-minute town', making it appealing for artists and visitors alike. "We help organise a lot of daytrips for artists. They might want to go to the Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island one day, or to the Adelaide Hills and Barossa the next – they arrive in Adelaide which is the melting pot, but they leave with South Australia."

A new face is leading the South Australian Tourism Commission into another successful year. In his first week as South Australian Tourism Commission Chief Executive, Ian Darbyshire feels right at home representing our State – one of the best destinations in the world. After visiting South Australia in 2002 with his family, Ian says he was "bitten by the SA bug". "South Australia has got all the ingredients – great lifestyle, friendly people, strong economy, high level education and beautiful surrounds," he says.
Throughout his career, Ian has held various CEO positions at large companies with staff of up to 600 workers. With a fantastic track record in business management, Ian is ready to lead tourism in SA towards our goal of $6.3 billion in visitor expenditure by 2014. One of his key aims will be to attract investment into the State for the tourism-related infrastructure we need to grow the industry even further.

Award winning Adelaide artist Emma Hack's career has seen her evolve from humble beginnings as a children's face painter into the world acclaimed body illustrator and visual artist she is today.

Emma's love of South Australia is evident in her work, and she says most of her art is inspired by the State's natural environment. "I like to include lots of South Australian wildlife in my work, it's really important to nurture what we have here," she says.

Her 2009 Fringe Festival exhibition, Panoramic Bodies, was shot in the South Australian Outback with a team of models and Cirkidz acrobats. "We shot at locations from the Gawler Ranges to Ceduna during the height of the drought as a statement supporting the environment." 

She has spent most of her 20-year career as an artist based out of Adelaide and has no intentions on leaving. "Adelaide offers a great lifestyle, I can live in a large house and have large space to create my works...I'm not interested in apartment living!"

The artist's most recent collection, Mandala, is on at the Festival Theatre until March 14. "I am very privileged to be presenting in the Adelaide Festival Theatre foyer to show my work to a new audience," Emma says. 

South Australia took out more categories than any other State in this year’s Australian newspaper Travel & Tourism Awards. Winners were The Louise in the Barossa (Best Luxury Accommodation - under 100 rooms), Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island (Best Lodge Accommodation), The Majestic Roof Garden Hotel in Adelaide (Best Value Accommodation) and The Santos Tour Down Under (Best Innovative Tourism Experience). The SATC congratulates all the worthy winners!
More information - Anna Bartsch ph: 8463 4626 or email: anna.bartsch@tourism.sa.com

South Australia took home two awards at the 2009 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, which were held in Hobart on Friday 26 February. The 2009 Santos Tour Down Under triumphed over other top name events from around the country to take out Australia's best major festival & event award.  The Adelaide Convention Centre was named Australia's best meetings & business tourism venue for the second year in a row.  Professor of Tourism at Flinders University, Jane James, who has been involved on a number of educational boards to help shape the future of tourism education and is recognised for her research projects in regional South Australia, was also acknowledged for her outstanding contribution to tourism.
More information - Bianca Borrett m: 0401 998 247

Kangaroo Island's internationally acclaimed Southern Ocean Lodge beat 20 of the nation's top new hotels to win the 'Best New Lodge' category in the 2009 Gourmet Traveller Travel Awards. These Awards recognise and celebrate Australia's most outstanding travel attractions, environments and advocates. Southern Ocean Lodge beat Hamilton Island's 'Qualia' and Brisbane's Emporium Hotel, once again proving its unique appeal for high-end travellers. Located at Hanson Bay on the Island's south west coast, the Lodge offers guests 21 deluxe suites with stunning panoramic views of the coast, lavish lounges, fine contemporary Australian cuisine and guided nature and wildlife experiences.
More information - ph: 02 9918 4355  

Award-winning Woodside Cheese Wrights added to their accolades at the 2010 Sydney Royal Cheese and Dairy Show, taking home the trophy for The Most Successful Sheep, Goat and Buffalo Milk Exhibitor for the fifth time and winning a total of five gold and four silver medals. Cheeses awarded included Woodside's McLaren, a Cambembert style cheese; Etzy Ketzy, a special cheese made from a blend of cow and goat milks; and Goat on a Hot Tin Roof, a new style of cheese sprinkled with a blend of South Australian outback herbs.
More information - Kris Lloyd m: 0403 057 702 or email: kris@cheeswrights.com.au

The Adelaide Hills' Sticky Rice Cooking School was shortlisted nationally as one of six finalists in The Australian Travel and Tourism Awards 2009 'Best Food Experience' category. The cooking school was independently selected by a panel of judges as finalists for the prestigious awards. Owner Claire Fuller said she was honoured by the nomination and it was a reflection of all the hard work put in by the professional teaching chefs and staff.    
More information - ph: 8339 1314 or email: admin@stickyricecookingschool.com.au

Taylors Wines has been internationally recognised for its sustainability by winning the 'Best Green Launch' at the inaugural 2010 Drinks Business Green Awards in London. The awards recognise and reward drinks businesses for significant environmental, sustainable and climate change initiatives.  The Clare Valley winery was rewarded for its September 2009 launch of Eighty Acres - the world's first 100% carbon neutral range of wines based on a complete Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model compliant to ISO14044.
More information - ph: 8849 1111 or visit www.taylorswines.com.au 

After seven years as Executive Chef at Hilton Adelaide, Simon Bryant has decided to take a break, handing over operations to rising star chef Dennis Leslie. Bryant spearheaded the use of fresh quality South Australian produce at the Hilton working with his team of butchers, bakers, pastry chefs, production and à la carte chefs to create unique and inspirational menus. Dennis started his career as an Apprentice Chef at the Hilton Adelaide, then worked as a chef throughout Europe before returning to Hilton Adelaide as Sous Chef, under Bryant's direction. 
More information – Laura Ursino ph: 8237 0729

Ella-mental is an unusual collection of artworks including body sculptures, ornaments, wall hangings and framed works that have been created with organic materials such as lustrous silks, fine wool and organically grown plant dyes, themed on the natural world; earth, water, sky and sea. Artists Maria Bray, Deborah Miller, Julie Dodderidge and Jenni Worth apply modern ideas to ancient skills thereby giving them new life. Ella-mental takes place in Aldinga Arts and Eco Village, from 4-7 and 11-14 March.
More information - Sheila Bryce m: 0416 154 061

'Exposed! The story of swimwear' is a new exhibition at the South Australian Maritime Museum showing the evolution of swimwear from a functional outfit to an essential summertime fashion. It explores how modern swimsuits changed bathing into swimming and helped redefine perceptions of the body. 'Exposed!' showcases everything from historical swimwear to contemporary Australian designs and specially commissioned pieces from local brands Razak, Liza Emanuelle, Angel Wings, Alexis George and mai-loui. From neck-to-knees, togs and bathers to budgie smugglers, and Borat's "mankini", 'Exposed!', from 20 February to 9 May at the South Australian Maritime Museum, is not to be missed.
More information - Kearin Hausler ph: 8203 9868 or email: khausler@history.sa.gov.au

South Australia's largest cemetery is celebrating life in Centennial Park's eleventh annual photographic exhibition and competition. The exhibition features more than 300 photographs capturing life's unique moments including people, animals, landscapes and everyday objects. Photographers ranging from students through to professionals will have their best snaps judged by funeral directors, celebrants and associated industry members. The exhibition is in the main foyer of Centennial Park's Jubilee Chapels Complex until Friday 12 March.
More information – Lauren Ralph at Corporate Conversation ph: 8224 3535

What is Black, White and Red All Over? Discover for yourself at this Fringe exhibition. Artists exhibiting include craftsman David Innocente who creates intricate and highly polished containers that open to reveal surprises; award winning glass bead artist Julie Frahm, and printmaker Shelley Richards, who creates jewellery by transforming prints from etched silver plates. See the exhibiton at Lustre Galleries, 18 Peel St, Adelaide.   
More information – ph: 8410 2061

The breathtaking landscapes of the Heysen Trail will be showcased simultaneously at six art galleries located along the trail. South Australian artist John Whitney realised the great possibility of embracing the trail's rich regional and seasonal variations with a grand art showcase, and so idea for the multiple exhibition showcase was born. The inaugural Heysen Trail Exhibition will feature original works incorporating oils, acrylics, watercolours and photography from 25 local artists inspired by the Heysen Trail.
More information - ph: 8231 3555