Imagine a beautiful stone house set in a coastal paradise, with more than 500 acres of private land and a selection of completely secluded, sandy beaches within walking distance. This is Tiliqua Sunrise, 30 kilometres from Streaky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula. The four bedroom, eco-friendly house is less than 100m from the shore and features a huge living area, slow combustion heating and is close to a range of marine attractions. More information
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May 2010 |
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Welcome to the May edition of SA Stories, featuring all the latest tourism and lifestyle news
New Accommodation and Tours
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Tiliqua Sunrise |
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The BarnThe Barn in Mount Gambier on the State's Limestone Coast has been re-launched, opening as a top class accommodation, event and dining facility. Guests can stay in brand new suites with spas and views across five acres of landscaped gardens. Enjoy a glass of Coonawarra cabernet in the stylish piano bar before tucking into some local, grass-fed beef in The Barn Steakhouse. There are also several rooms catering for functions and conferences of up to 800 people. More information |
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The Fleurieu Way Guided GPS Tour iPhone applicationTake a guided tour through the vineyards of McLaren Vale and along the stunning Fleurieu Peninsula coastline in the comfort of your own vehicle with the newest iPhone application from the SATC. The Fleurieu Way Guided GPS Tour is available as a free download and provides audio narrative, written descriptions, images and contact information at 99 points of interest, including townships, wineries and national parks, along the 235 kilometre route. More information |
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Adelaide Panda Tours packagesSix new tours incorporating visits to see Adelaide's Giant Pandas are now being offered by Sealink, Adelaide Sightseeing and the Adelaide Zoo. The tours range from a half day to four days in duration and, as well as a behind-the-scenes panda experience, they include meetings with the panda keeper, lunches and dinners at top restaurants including Penfolds Magill Estate, tours around Kangaroo Island and cellar door visits in the Barossa. More information |
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Helivista Flinders Ranges flightsView the incredible Arkaroola Sanctuary, Lake Blanche and other Flinders Ranges highlights from above with a range of exhilarating new helicopter tours from Helivista. Packages range from 20 minutes to 90 minutes duration with routes over the Arkaroola area, or north to Strezelecki Creek. Several flights also have optional hiking tours attached for those wanting to trek back to their starting point by foot. More information |
New Food, Wine and Lifestyle Products
Kangaroo Island Estate Wine ClubSouth Australia is known as the home of Australian wine, and Kangaroo Island is now on its way to being recognised as a premium wine producing region alongside the likes of the Barossa, McLaren Vale and Coonawarra. Kangaroo Island Estate has recently launched a wine club offering discounts with five of the 18 boutique producers on the island, as well as special deals on accommodation, adventure tours and hospitality. Members receive regular shipments of KI wine, newsletters and an invitation to the annual wine club dinner. More information |
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Pindarie Cellar DoorAn old stone farm shed has been beautifully restored and transformed into a cellar door at Pindarie Wines in the Barossa. The property has been in owner Tony Brooks's family for generations, used for viticulture, cropping and running sheep. Visitors are now welcome to taste the Mediterranean style wines at the cellar door, enjoying some regional food and taking in the magnificent views across the farm and vineyard at the same time (as seen in newsletter header picture). More information |
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Te Aro Estate Tasting RoomDespite the name, there's more to do than just taste at the Te Aro Estate Tasting Room in the main street of Williamstown. As well as sampling the fine Barossa wines, visitors can enjoy lunch on the deck, stroll the gardens and browse a range of locally sourced art, produce and giftware. The heritage listed 1850s barn has been meticulously restored to create a contemporary yet relaxed atmosphere with plenty of couches and bar stools encouraging guests to stay a while. More information |
SA Faces
Luke Talbot-MaleImagine spending your days hiking along some of the country’s most beautiful coastline or teaching people to surf the waves off the stunning Fleurieu Peninsula. A pioneer in South Australia’s adventure tourism industry, Luke Talbot-Male does just that. His multi-awarding winning business, Surf & Sun, caters to backpackers, experience seekers and corporate groups, offering a range of nature inspired activities. Recently, Luke has added Hike the Heysen to his repertoire – a stunning coastal wildlife walk along the famous Heysen Trail. |
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Haydyn BromleyThe experiences available through Haydyn Bromley’s Bookabee Tours are as diverse as the flora and fauna of South Australia. Arguably one of the most affable tour operators in the state, Haydyn is both an educator and a storyteller – passing on the dreamtime stories of his ancestors while increasing awareness of the treatment of indigenous peoples. Haydyn’s diverse range of experiences include a lesson in bush foods at Adelaide’s Botanic Gardens and a half day art and culture tour of the Flinders Ranges.
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Bill WilloughbyBoss Drover Bill Willoughby will share his love of cattle mustering along with his expertise on this year’s Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive. It’s his job to put riders at ease as they drove 500 cattle through South Australia’s Outback. Bill travels widely around Australia, competing professionally at campdrafting (Australia’s own unique sport with horses and cattle) and team roping at rodeos. He has also choreographed horse scenes for Australian films ‘The Light Horseman’ and ‘The Man From Snowy River’ and was Horse Master for ‘McLeod’s Daughters’.
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Upcoming Events
The Oodnadatta Races and Gymkhana is Australia's longest running picnic race meeting, celebrating its 120th year. Premium wines will be expertly matched with an indulgent range of fine dining experiences and live entertainment. This three day JAZZFest will feature 30 jazz bands performing in 12 shopping and entertainment centre precincts across the Mount Barker area. Patrons will be able to sample dishes from seven venues in beautiful Boston Bay, Port Lincoln, with buses running between locations. The SA Country Music Festival and Awards is the biggest and most prestigious country music awards in the State and the third biggest in Australia. A weekend of single-track bike riding and other festivities in the foothills of Mount Remarkable in the Flinders Ranges. The world’s biggest cabaret festival featuring Australian and international stars, directed by David Campbell. Renmark will again host this successful Hot Air Balloon flight and demonstration event, now in its eighth year. Wine, seafood, regional produce and live music at more than 20 wineries in the famous McLaren Vale region. The Marree Australian Camel Cup is an annual event which acknowledges the contributions made by the Afghan Cameleers of the Marree Ghantown. Join two days of fun and excitement for the whole family, coinciding with the opening of the South Australian Whale Watching Season. The ultimate Outback holiday, herding cattle along one of Australia's most evocative stock trails, the Oodnadatta Track. |
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Story IdeasFishy love – thousands of cuttle fish are set to begin their colourful mating season in waters off the Eyre Peninsula Enter a world of art in the beautiful Clare Valley, with a diversity of galleries and studios Lake Eyre – the waters are flowing and the scenic flights are taking off Pick of the pub – the best spots for a glass of red by a cosy fire in the winter months Fancy breakfast with a chimpanzee? Visit Monarto Zoo for a truly memorable morning meal |
News Updates
Arkaba Station named among world’s best by Conde Nast Traveller UKThe refurbished 1850s homestead at Arkaba Station in the Flinders Ranges has been listed in the Conde Nast Traveller UK ‘Hot List’ for 2010. The magazine’s contributors selected from thousands of properties, choosing 66 of the best new places to stay in 30 countries around the world with just two Australian properties included. |
Renowned Appellation restaurant welcomes new front-of-house managerThe award winning Appellation restaurant, part of the Louise Small Luxury Hotel in the Barossa, has appointed Peter Healy as the new leader of its front-of-house team. Peter has worked in numerous top Australian restaurants including as sommelier at Sydney's Marque for the past four years where he was voted ‘Best Food and Wine Matching Sommelier in Australia’ by Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine. |
Two top chefs to host masterclasses at hills cooking schoolAuthor, restaurateur and Asian food specialist Christine Manfield will hold three masterclasses on May 21, 22 and 23 at Sticky Rice Cooking School in the Adelaide Hills. Simon Bryant from ABC TV’s ‘The Cook and the Chef’ has also just confirmed he’ll run masterclasses on October 23 and 24. |
Two SA cellar doors make Wine Business Monthly’s annual Top 10The stunning K1 by Geoff Hardy in the Adelaide Hills and Paxton Wines in McLaren Vale have both made WBM’s annual Top Ten list. Overlooking a picturesque lake, K1 was described as a stunning hideaway and one of Australia’s best kept cellar door secrets. Paxton was noted for its biodynamic approach and rustic, farming property. |
Croquet among the vines at Bird in HandFollowing the huge success of its inaugural event, Bird in Hand will host a second ‘Croquet and Croquettes’ afternoon on Sunday 24 October 2010. Enjoy sparkling wine and gourmet finger food, with live DJs, expert croquet tips and a vineyard full of people dressed in white! |
McLaren Vale McMurtrie Mile launches MasterclassesThe first masterclass bringing together the producers of McLaren Vale’s ‘McMurtrie Mile’ will be held on Sunday 8 May. Winemakers from Dowie Doole, Gemtree, Primo Estate, Hugh Hamilton, Wirra Wirra and Pertaringa will serve and discuss their wines at Red Poles Restaurant and Gallery. |
Warming winter lunches at Hills cellar doorThe Gatehouse has announced it will hold ‘Winter Warmer’ lunches on the first Sunday of each month, in conjunction with ‘Beyond India’ restaurant. The spectacular Hills function centre and cellar door showcases wines from 14 boutique producers in the region. |
Barossa top on visitor satisfactionThe Barossa has been voted second out of 62 destinations across Australia for visitor satisfaction in the Visitor Profile and Satisfaction Report, released by Tourism Research Australia. Visitors were impressed by the hospitable staff, friendly locals, services, accommodation and, of course, the food and wine. |
‘Unforgettable’ Natalie Cole to headline Cabaret FestivalNine time Grammy award winner Natalie Cole will give two performances at Festival Theatre as part of this year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival in June. Directed by David Campbell, the festival will feature 46 different shows from June 11 to 26, with a range of international and Australian stars. |
Artistic Director Slava Grigoryan announces Guitar Festival lineupOver 70 musicians from as far afield as the United States, Brazil, Spain and Austria will join local performers for the 2010 Adelaide International Guitar Festival from 25 – 28 November. There will be 16 performances in styles from including blues, world music, classical, latin and jazz, plus workshops, master classes, artist talks and panel discussions. |
Weekend activities for kids at Adelaide Festival CentreThe 2010 ‘Something on Saturday’ season has been launched, with the biggest program in its 33 year history. The season will run from 8 May to 4 September and offers storytelling, magic, ballet, science, acrobatics, circus skills, puppetry and even hip hop, aimed at children aged three to ten. |
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Media Gallery NewsNew Images of STDU, Queen Mary II and moreThere are lots of exciting new images available on the Media Gallery this month. Pictures from the 2010 Santos Tour Down Under have been uploaded, along with images of the arrival of the Queen Mary II Cruise Ship in Adelaide in April. Also, check out over 300 new images of the Flinders Ranges and Outback. Shots include the four-wheel drive Ridgetop Tour through Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, a scenic flight over Rawnsley Park, the unique 'Sunsets, Saddles & Shiraz' tour, camel trekking in the northern Flinders Ranges, general touring scenes, accommodation shots and much more. Images of Fleurieu Peninsula have also recently been uploaded and include activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling. A selection of these images can be viewed under ‘latest additions’.
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