Visitors to Adelaide can now download a free iPhone application featuring a 60 minute do-it-yourself city tour with audio narration and directions. The tour gives a local's perspective on the city's sites and attractions – places like The Adelaide Central Markets, historic buildings along North Terrace and the Adelaide Zoo. As well as the audio commentary and stories from local characters, the app provides written descriptions, images and contact information details at each point. It also plugs perfectly into social media, allowing users to post recommendations directly from their iPhones to Twitter and Facebook. More information

Coffin Bay on the Eyre Peninsula may be famous for its oysters but the local dolphins are now also proving to be a star attraction. Coffin Bay Explorer has launched two new tours giving visitors up-close interaction with the dolphins in their natural environment. Travellers can join a knowledgeable guide on board the Dolphin Watch boat tour and watch the dolphins play in the surrounding waters, or slide into the sea and join the dolphins face-to-face on the Dolphin Swim tour. More information 

Fancy watching the sun set over the majestic cliffs along the Murray River while you cook up a feast in your professionally-equipped giant outdoor BBQ area? The Manor is a new River Shack Rentals property in Blanchetown, sleeping up to twelve in a luxurious two storey home right on the river’s edge. Features include a wood fire, quality air conditioning, a surround sound system and plasma televisions. More information

The Clare Valley is home to a new restaurant celebrating the renowned wine region’s fine local produce. Artisan’s Table Bar and Bistro in Clare offers indoor and al fresco dining, serving modern dishes influenced by a range of international flavours with recommended wine matches. Chef and owner Roger Graham has previously worked in restaurants in several of South Australia’s iconic wine regions including at The Barn in McLaren Vale and Bridgewater Mill in the Adelaide Hills. More information: phone 08 8842 1796

A new boutique cellar door serving a range of Adelaide Hills wines from several labels has opened in a historic stone cottage in the main street of Hahndorf. One Planet Cellars offers tastings from Rockbare and Alta Vineyards, along with the environmentally friendly One Planet range. The rustic, intimate space also sells books, organic giftware and gourmet produce, plus visitors can enjoy locally made cakes, fresh coffee and provincially inspired food platters. More information

A local Barossa grower delivers an armful of sun-warmed pumpkins and suddenly Mark McNamara’s menu for that evening changes. As head chef of the acclaimed regional restaurant Appellation, Mark is driven by more than just seasonality - he maintains a whole of product approach that reflects the bounty of the environment, celebrates local flavours, and provides a sense of place and time. Mark’s dedication to Barossa food has most recently resulted in Appellation being named South Australia’s best gourmet experience by Australian Traveller. "This award reinforces our belief that the Barossa can truly be regarded as one of the world’s great wine and food destinations," he said.

It’s not unusual to spot Monique Boseley and Charlie O’Donovan scouring antique shops, auctions and charity shops around the country, as they search for discarded mid-century furniture. The pair own Adelaide’s Retromodern, transforming unwanted vintage pieces into something unique and modern. Originally from Adelaide and Ireland respectively, Monique and Charlie started Retromodern two years ago and have watched their business grow, mainly thanks to increasing demand in the eastern states. "All our furniture is recycled from original retro pieces. Not only do we feel this creates something unique, but we are offering a greener alternative to mass-produced products. It is the eco-alternative for furniture," said Monique.

‘Calm’ is probably not a word often associated with chefs at work in a hot, busy kitchen, but this is how culinary legend Ann Oliver describes Rebecca Stubbs.  Rebecca has recently joined Chapel Hill Retreat, the spectacular accommodation, conference and teaching facility set on the legendary McLaren Vale vineyard. As Executive Chef, she is developing a true regional experience for guests that celebrates and showcases local produce. She will also be joining other rising stars in the spotlight as part of Tasting Australia (29 April – 6 May).
 

The ‘smokey on thin crust’ pizza from the Barossa’s 40s Café in Angaston has been named the seventh best pizza on earth at the World Pizza Competition in Las Vegas. 40s Café owner and chef Damon de Ruiter cooked off against 120 competitors over three days, taking his critical smoked Barossa meat toppings with him. Damon was invited to the world championships after taking out the national title last September.

More information – phone 08 8564 2901; email 40s@40scafe.com.au

Fresh and specialty produce from across South Australia has been heralded in the Australian Traveller Magazine’s 100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences, published in the April edition. Topping the South Aussie list was Appellation restaurant in the Barossa, followed by the Adelaide Central markets and a collection of ten unique food experiences including wine tastings, chocolate, cheese, seafood and Outback "feral food".

More information - Emma Gardiner at Klick Communications: phone 02 8353 7106; 0419 276 446; email emma@klick.com.au 

Live jazz, Latino and contemporary musicians will join chefs from Hilton Adelaide to present ‘Music @ The Market’ every Friday evening at Adelaide Central Market beginning in May. The event has been successfully trialled during March, featuring cooking demonstrations and food and wine tastings, adding to the buzzing night atmosphere.

More information - Kate Banyer: phone 08 8203 7494; email k.banyer@adelaidecitycouncil.com

2009 Masterchef finalist Andre Ursini will host an Italian cooking masterclass as part of a new series of classes at Homewares Direct in the inner Adelaide suburb of Parkside. The 2010 schedule features classes from a range of talented local chefs specialising in various international cuisines and utilising specialist regional products.

More information - Andrea Dooley: phone 0408 264 410; email andrea.dooley@internode.on.net

SA’s Andre Ursini and Poh Ling Yeow will get together for a kitchen showdown for the first time since their MasterChef appearances at free Miele Cooking Demonstrations as part of the BankSA Feast for the Senses at Elder Park on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 May. Other TV favourites holding demonstrations include Rosemary Shrager, Antonio Carluccio, Antony Worrall Thompson, Paul Rankin, Maggie Beer, Ed Halmagyi, Darren Simpson and Anna Gare. Details are available at www.tasting-australia.com.au.

More information - Michele D’Aloia: phone 0417 837 896; email michele.daloia@bigpond.com

Ian Parmenter, Director of Tasting Australia, will open a new exhibition based around food and food utensils at Adelaide Central Gallery on Friday 30 April. Developed by staff from Adelaide Central School of Art, the exhibition will showcase a diverse range of significant South Australian artists with work produced in a variety of mediums.

More information – Prue Gramp, Gallery Manager: phone 08 8364 2809; email prue.gramp@acsa.edu.au

A new street market on Magill Road kicks off on Sunday 11 April, aiming to expose the hidden delights of the precinct’s eclectic shops, cafes and restaurants. Magill Road Alive will include stalls of antiques, books, homewares, pre-loved fashion and accessories as well as art auctions, cooking and jewellery-making demonstrations, children’s entertainment and jazz bands.
More information - Emma Pickles: phone 08 8366 4528; email epickles@npsp.sa.gov.au

Captain Cook Cruises is running special 3, 4 and 7 night cruises for art lovers on August 27 and 30 featuring guest artist Tony Smith. Passengers will receive free landscape painting classes from Tony and be shown his favourite scenic locations along the Murray. For bookings, contact Captain Cook Cruises on 1800 804 843, email murray@captaincook.com.au or visit www.captaincook.com.au.

More information – Brooke Tolar: phone 0411 553 246; email pr@captaincook.com.au

This year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival looks set to be bigger than ever, with the Variety Gala on June 11 already sold out. Tickets are currently on sale for Ennio Marchetto, the one-man-living-cartoon and John Waters who will be performing songs from the great French Chanson singer-songwriter, Jacques Brel. The full program will be launched on April 14 and will be available at http://www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/adelaidecabaret/.
More information - Petrina Egan: phone 08 8216 8699; 0423 324 288; email petrina.egan@adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au

A summer racing event will be held at Oakbank for the first time later this year. In addition to its hugely popular race days on Easter Saturday and Easter Monday and two March prelude events, the Oakbank Racing Club will hold an inaugural Twilight Meeting on December 10.

More information - Sarah Coligan, Oakbank PR Consultant: phone 0404 003 061; email sarah@sarsparilla.com 

The 2010 Murray River Visitor Guide has been released, featuring 88 pages of information on attractions, tours, accommodation, festivals and events in South Australia’s Murray River regions. Copies of the new guide can be ordered from the regional tourism offices.
More information - Caroline Phillips, Murraylands Tourism Marketing: phone 0419 856 936; email c.phillips@rcmb.sa.gov.au OR Paula Bennet, Riverland Tourism Association: phone 0428 824 688; email rta@riverland.net.au

Visitors to the Orroroo Carrieton district of the Flinders ranges can now tour the region with audio commentary courtesy of the new ‘Stones and Rail’ CD, available from local visitor information centres. The audio guide includes stories, music and interviews with local characters to bring the region’s history to life.

More information - Peter Cahalan: phone 0402 890 096; email peter.cahalan@tourism.sa.com