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Government Support for SA Tourism Development

30 June 2009

The Rann Government’s ongoing commitment to building a better South Australian tourism future has been underlined by $120,000 funding for three new tourism ventures.

Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says this is part of the Rann Government’s $2 million annual assistance for tourism operators across the State.

The funds support operators who are building new and innovative tourism accommodation, attractions and tours, as well as revitalising and updating existing tourism ventures.

“Tourism is a highly competitive industry and if South Australia is to compete on the world stage as a sought-after holiday destination, we must couple our strengths as a tourism destination, including accessible nature and wildlife, food and wine, and an enviable lifestyle, with the best in accommodation, transport and tours,” Dr Lomax-Smith says.

“The Government’s ongoing tourism infrastructure funding is getting results for South Australian tourism, and the three latest successful funding applicants demonstrate the diversity and innovation of our tourism industry.

“The Government is contributing $50,000 towards the renovation and relaunch of Arkaba Station as the ultimate authentic Outback experience – with all the comforts of a luxury retreat.

“As part of its commitment to taking food and wine tourism experiences in the State’s established wine regions to the next level, as outlined in the South Australian Food & Wine Tourism Strategy, the Government is providing $50,000 towards building a conference centre and cellar door at Katnook Estate, an internationally recognised winery in the Coonawarra.

“The Government has also committed $20,000 towards a berth at St Kilda, so that passengers on a Spirit of the Port cruise can disembark and stroll through the St Kilda mangroves as part of their eco cruise experience.

“These are just the first three projects in what will be a long list of South Australian tourism infrastructure projects to be funded in 2009 and beyond. Creating new and refreshed tourism developments in South Australia is one of the 13 strategies set out in the South Australian tourism Plan 2009-14 which will make tourism a $6.3 billion industry for the State by 2014.”

Details on each of the three projects are attached to this media release.

Arkaba Station
Arkaba is a 60,000 acre working sheep station on the edge of Wilpena Pound, in the Flinders Ranges. The Australian ecotourism company, Wild Bush Luxury, which already boasts Barmurru Plains and Blue Mountains Private Safaris as part of its portfolio, has purchased Arkaba Station, and will relaunch it as a unique luxury Outback destination in early November, following a major upgrade. The upgrade will include renovation of the 1850’s heritage homestead to create five luxury ensuite guestrooms. It will also include the development of walking trails traversing the property and Wilpena Pound, as well as the construction of three overnight luxury swag camps along the walking trails – equipped with waterless toilets and rainwater catchment tanks to minimise their environmental impact. As well as the luxury homestead accommodation, the relaunched Arkaba will offer guests a wet edge pool, a self-service bar and wine cellar, as well as a resident chef to provide gourmet meals. But the highlight of any stay at Arkaba Station will be the premier guided experiences. Guests can choose to go on a three-day Walking Safari tour, which takes them – via the new trails – through the property and Wilpena Pound. They will sleep in the new luxury camps, which will be supplied with food and beverages in advance. Other activities to be offered will include sheep station activities, horse riding guided by an Aboriginal elder, wildlife viewing, four-wheel-drive trips, scenic flights, mountain biking and Indigenous cultural experiences.
More information: www.arkabastation.com

Spirit of the Port
Spirit Australia Cruises, which operates Coorong and Murray River cruises, has launched a new day cruise, “Spirit of the Port”. This new five-hour cruise operates from Port Adelaide every Tuesday and Saturday, and links the history and romance of the old port with the nature and ecology of the Port River estuarine environment. Passengers cruise into one of the largest accessible Ship’s Graveyards in the world, keep watch for dolphins and wetland birds, listen to expert commentary and enjoy a lunch onboard. A large flat screen television on the vessel displays images of present day sites as they were up to 100 years ago, enabling passengers to see how the area has changed over the years. The new pontoon at St Kilda, to be built with State Government funding assistance, will be used to embark and disembark passengers for a guided walk through the area’s mangroves as part of the cruise.
More information:
www.spiritoftheport.com.au

Katnook Estate
Katnook Estate’s winemaking history stretches back to 1896, when Coonawarra’s second vintage was made in the Katnook woolshed by Scottish immigrant John Riddoch. To encourage settlement in region, Riddoch set up the Coonawarra Fruit Colony at Katnook in a stone building which still stands today. In 1971, the Yunghanns family purchased Katnook and the first vines were planted soon after, with the grapes sold to neighbouring wineries. In 1980, the first wines were made under the Katnook Estate label in the Katnook woolshed just as John Riddoch had done 84 years before. In 2008, Katnook Estate was purchased by the Freixenet Group, which now carries on the tradition of winemaking on the property. The Freixenet Group, with assistance from the State Government, will sensitively convert the historic building where John Riddoch set up his fruit colony into a function and conference centre, as well as create a cellar door offering information about the Coonawarra wine industry and local attractions.
More information: www.katnookestate.com.au

Media contact:
Public Relations Unit,
telephone +61 8 8463 4500
or email satc.pr.publications@saugov.sa.gov.au