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| 2009 Winners |
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The South Australian Tourism Awards winners represent the State's most outstanding tourism experiences in 27 categories. Our winners provide a benchmark for best practice in the tourism industry. The 2009 South Australian Tourism Awards Winners Guide is now available. Media release for the 2009 South Australian Tourism Awards. 2009 WinnersCategory 1 Located in the heart of the Barossa Valley, the Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre sits on the banks of the famous creek from which the wine takes its name, ‘Jacob’s Creek’. The six-hectare site boasts panoramic views of the famous Barossa Ranges and vineyards, and encompasses a cellar door and restaurant, Australian wildlife enclosure and the rejuvenated creek. The Visitor Centre provides high quality regional food and wine experiences with structured tasting sessions and food and wine matching in Jacob’s Restaurant. Guided tours of the display vineyard, featuring 14 different grape varieties, allow visitors to discover more about the history and product range of Australia’s most internationally famous wine. Category 2 Supported by TAFESA, Tourism, Events & Languages Cleland Wildlife Park *HALL of FAME* Cleland Wildlife Park offers a tranquil bushland setting in the Adelaide Hills where visitors can discover more than 130 species of South Australian wildlife. Engaging interpretation, self-guided discovery trails and keeper talks offer visitors a truly rewarding wildlife experience at Adelaide’s oldest wildlife sanctuary. Visitors can hold a koala, hand feed kangaroos, encounter the rare bilby or stroll among the emus, as many of Cleland’s animals roam free, creating wonderful opportunities to interact with wildlife. A recognized leader in responsible wildlife tourism, Cleland Wildlife Park attracts more than 110,000 visitors annually. Silver - The Seahorse Farm, Old Timers Mine and Zu Loop Experience & Wildlife Platform Experience Bronze - Chocolate @ No. 5 and Wheal Hughes Copper Mine Category 3 The first stop on the world cycling calendar, the Tour Down Under attracts thousands of fans from across Australia and around the world to Adelaide each January. The week-long event brings the world’s top cyclists to South Australia to compete in the race, the first event outside Europe to join the prestigious UCI Pro Tour, allowing fans to get up close and personal with the heroes of the peloton. It’s more than just a bike race; it is a festival of cycling, with an eight day calendar of events that create a massive party atmosphere across the State. The 2009 Tour Down Under made history as one of Australia’s biggest sporting events ever held with more than 760,500 spectators lining the streets of Adelaide and over 40 regional towns. Silver - 2009 Clipsal 500 Adelaide, Adelaide Fringe, Credit Union Christmas Pageant Category 4 Loxton Christmas Lights Festival The Loxton Christmas Lights Festival is a celebration of Christmas enjoyed by locals and visitors to the Riverland. Street decorations, fireworks, a Christmas Tree Festival, and ‘Christmas Wonderland’ are features which help create a magical world of colour and lights. Festival goers enjoy more than 350 paintings and coloured light displays on ‘Santa’s Walk’ which illuminates a cluster of streets in the town. From the last Saturday in November until 31 December, the Festival attracts thousands of visitors to the region to enjoy a wide range of activities to help capture the spirit of Christmas. Silver - ASICS Victor Harbor Triathlons & Fun Run-Walk and Barossa Vintage Festival 2009 Category 5 Supported by Department for Environment & Heritage Sinclair’s Gully is the first advanced eco certified cellar door in the Adelaide Hills, and one of only two cellar doors in Australia to achieve this accreditation. Set on 26 acres of native bushland, Sinclair’s Gully provides visitors with interpretive nature-based experiences or wine tasting under towering candlebark gums. The property has over 150 species of native plants and 66 species of birds, many of which are rare or endangered. Sinclair’s Gully is passionate about restoring and protecting its environment, and offers visitors interpretive experiences on its bush care work, sustainability practices and biodynamic vineyard. Guests can also enjoy a guided walk through spring wildflowers, watch black cockatoos fly in at dusk during summer, or sit back on the viewing deck with a glass of wine. Gold - Rawnsley Park Station Eco-Villas Silver - Bendleby Ranges and Top End Eco Cruise Category 6 Supported by Department for Environment & Heritage Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage is a meticulously restored 1860s German settler’s cottage that provides premium accommodation exclusively for one couple on a 25-acre property at historic Seppeltsfield in the Barossa. Guests can immerse themselves in the history of the Barossa by enjoying the heritage features of the cottage and learning about the story of the family who settled there in 1852. The cottage is next to the 10-acre vineyard and provides guests a taste of what the Barossa is famous for: wine, vineyards, heritage and hospitality. The hosts aim is for guests to appreciate not only the contemporary Barossa culture, but to gain an understanding of its unique living history and heritage. Silver - Old Timers Mine Bronze - Ayers House Museum and Innamincka Hotel Category 7 Supported by the Depatment for Environment & Heritage Bookabee Tours Australia *HALL of FAME*
Bookabee Tours Australia is an Aboriginal owned and operated chauffeured, 4WD tour operation, providing day tours in Adelaide and extended tours to outback locations. Tours to the Flinders Ranges, ranging from two to five days, take visitors on an incredible journey through breath-taking scenery. While learning first hand about Aboriginal culture, history and knowledge, visitors discover the beauty of the rugged mountains, scenic gorges, ruins of early settlement, historic outback towns and abundant wildlife. Exploring authentic sites to see ancient paintings and engravings and hearing Aboriginal creation stories enriches visitors’ understanding and experiences of outback South Australia. Bronze - Aboriginal Cultural Tours - Adjahdura Land, Yorke Peninsula Category 8 Getaways Reservation Service provides a strong and effective network, central reservation and advisory service for properties and services around the State and is a one-stop shop where visitors can book all facets of their holiday. Its dynamic team is dedicated to raising the profile of the South Australia and committed to pursuing tourism excellence and enhancing visitors’ total tourism experience. Getaways portfolio includes booking products and services Australia-wide, giving choice, flexibility, quality and value for money. 100% privately owned and funded, client satisfaction is paramount and their strong-vision for the future, passion and dedication are key to their continual success. Silver - Country Getaways Accommodation Booking Service Category 9 Yorke Peninsula Visitor Information Centre The Yorke Peninsula Visitor Information Centre in Minlaton is a fully accredited information centre that combines a comprehensive range of information with high quality arts and crafts, making it a tourism attraction in its own right. Qualified staff members offer specialist knowledge of the Peninsula, while the volunteers who work behind the counter are the makers of the hand-crafted souvenirs and local art work. As part of their excellent customer service, the staff provide accurate information about accommodation options and regional attractions, and the best advice to ensure visitors get the most out of their stay in the region. Other facilities of the Centre include: an art gallery, internet access and a tearoom serving fresh coffee and homemade cakes and biscuits. Silver - Goolwa Visitor Information Centre Bronze - Murray Bridge Visitor Information Centre and Whyalla Visitor Centre Category 10 As a city icon, the Adelaide Convention Centre sits on the banks of the River Torrens with dramatic views of the parklands, Adelaide Oval and the spires of St Peter’s Cathedral. The Centre was the first purpose built conference and convention centre in Australia, and for more than two decades has been hosting local, national and international events. With panache and meticulous attention to detail, the Adelaide Convention Centre has built a strong reputation for quality service and standards that have long been a benchmark for convention centres around the world. Hosting everything from cocktail parties and weddings, to prestigious business meetings and international conventions, the Centre hosted in excess of 600 events, attended by more than 300,000 people and attracting 28,000 visitors to SA in the last year. Silver - Stamford Grand Adelaide Category 11 Adventure Tours Australia Group *HALL OF FAME* Adventure Tours Australia Group delivers a South Australian and national portfolio of memorable and satisfying cultural, nature-based and way-of-life tourism experiences, with emphasis on adventure, comfort and quality. Distinct from other tour operators, the company offers a wide and diverse range of tours and itineraries, catering for varying fitness levels and offering different accommodation facilities and lengths of trips. Its industry-recognized, in-house Tour Guide training program, superior accommodation, campsites and vehicles also add to its strength. The company operates through an Australia wide network of sales and marketing offices, vehicle workshops and a highly skilled marketing team, all administered through its Adelaide based head office. Gold - SeaLink Travel Group Silver - Great Southern Rail and Groovy Grape Getaways Category 12 Surf & Sun is a passionate and professional tour operator business operating small group Wildlife Adventures on Kangaroo Island. These nature-based tours incorporate two or three-days of kayaking, snorkelling, bush walking, a dolphin charter boat ride, a bird of prey show, sand-boarding, quad biking and a cave tour on the Island. Surf & Sun also operate regular Learn to Surf programs at Middleton Beach on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Not your average tour company, Surf & Sun is innovative and committed to provide market-leading experiences to locals and international visitors. Surf & Sun commenced in 2002 and is a licensed surf school with Surfing Australia, an Accredited Tourism Business and also holds Advanced Eco Accreditation. Silver - Rich & Lingering and Smart Car - CitiCar & Hughes Limousines Bronze - Adelaide Central Market Tour, Alfie's Wine Tours and Gulf Getaways Category 13 Supported by Austbrokers Terrace Bendleby Ranges is an ecologically sustainable adventure tourism destination, three and a half hours’ drive north of Adelaide, offering a range of activities in an unspoilt natural environment. Visitors can explore by walking, biking, horse riding or taking exhilarating drives over two rugged mountain ranges and be rewarded with spectacular views towards Lake Frome, Wilpena Pound and the surrounding countryside. There is a variety of accommodation options from charming old homesteads to remote campsites in pristine creek settings, providing the chance to experience the Flinders Ranges at its best. Silver - Calypso Star Charters, Surf & Sun and Temptation Sailing Category 14 Supported by Newstyle Printing Seafood & beyond...rewards card is a marketing initiative designed to market, promote and develop the Eyre Peninsula as a holiday destination. The rewards card was created to expand on the highly successful Seafood & Aquaculture Trail, as well as incorporate accommodation, attractions, tours, transport, dining and seafood outlets on a smart card system. The purpose of the smart card is twofold: Firstly, as an industry development tool to encourage packaging of local tourism product, and secondly, as a marketing tool to promote the region’s best experiences. Retailing at $69 the rewards card has proven valuable not only to businesses who participate but to visitors who holiday in the region. Silver - CMCA 23rd Anniversary Rally and Discover Murray Bronze - Datatrax Tourism Touchscreens Category 15 Supported bt Education Adelaide The School of Management at the University of South Australia conducts innovative degrees in tourism, events, hospitality, and sport and recreation management. With more than 2500 students studying across four campuses in South Australia, and nationally and internationally via online facilities, the degrees equip graduates with the skills and confidence to enter the tourism industry with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Through collaboration with State government and industry, the School has been pivotal in positioning South Australia as the centre of excellence for tourism and hospitality education and research. Gold - TAFESA, Toursim, Events & Languages Category 16 Supported by Rymill Coonawarra The Brasserie @ Hilton Adelaide The Brasserie at the Hilton Adelaide, has long been recognised for its commitment to tourism, innovative involvement in the food industry and keen participation in the local community. Its Seriously South Australian menu successfully showcases South Australian produce with passion and with a genuine commitment to the farmers, growers and producers. The Brasserie not only offers diners a meal, but a tourism experience. While dining, customers can read about the producers behind the produce, the region from which the produce is grown, purchase the produce and take home a recipe. Led by Executive Chef Simon Bryant, a passionate South Australian ambassador, The Brasserie is open for dinner seven nights per week. Gold - Jacob's Restaurant at Jacob's Creek Visitor Centre Silver - Gaslight Collectables and Old Books, John's Pizza Bar & Restaurant, Red Ochre Grill, The Woolshed Restaurant at Rawnsley Park and Wild Saffron Bronze - Lilla's Cafe and Ned Kelly's Retreat Restaurant Category 17 Sinclair’s Gully is the first advanced eco certified cellar door in the Adelaide Hills, and one of only two cellar doors in Australia to achieve this accreditation. Set on 26 acres of native bushland, Sinclair’s Gully provides visitors with an ideal for setting for wine tasting under towering candlebark gums. Sinclair’s Gully also provides visitors with interpretive experiences on its bush care wok and biodynamic vineyard, and offers a range of nature-based activities including guided walks and bird watching. Sustainable practices are the foundation of Sinclair Gully’s business. From conservation of the endangered eco-system and sustainable vineyard management practices, to its zero waste 100% recycling program and reuse of grey water. Gold - Jacob's Creek Visitor Centre and Peter Lehmann Wines Cellar Door Silver - Cape Jaffa Wines and Port Dock Brewery Hotel Bronze - Chateau Tanunda Estate and Sevenhill Cellars Category 18 BIG4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park Just 2.5 hours from Adelaide, Big4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park is a paradise in the Riverland, boasting magnificent Murray River frontage. Ideal for water-skiers, fishermen and water lovers, visitors can fill their days with adventure or tranquility. Set on 22 acres of beautiful, natural surrounds, BIG4 boasts brand new facilities, excellent customer service and a proactive view on the caravan park industry. Catering for all accommodation needs, there are 45 riverfront and poolside villas and cabins, 180 powered sites and 100 camping sites. The resort also offers a 25-metre swimming pool and heated spa complex, games room, movie room with conference facilities and playground. Silver - Port Broughton Caravan Park and Wallaroo North Beach Toursit Park Category 19 Lakeside Manor YHA Backpackers *HALL of FAME* Lakeside Manor YHA Backpackers offers a unique backpacking experience in the seaside town of Robe with budget accommodation in a heritage-listed, 1880s-built sandstone mansion. The property has a total of eight guest rooms, including a dormitory with 14 beds, as well as a private double or family room with a spa ensuite. Lakeside Manor YHA offers its guests a fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities, a big lounge room with internet terminals and a plasma TV, as well as a grand library with a marble fireplace and views over Lake Fellmongery. Category 20 Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage Set in a private vineyard in the historic Barossa Valley, Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage has set a new standard in hosted accommodation. The meticulously restored 1860s German settler’s cottage is exclusively for one couple and heritage features, such as mud and wood beamed ceilings, combine seamlessly with premium furnishings and modern luxuries, including under-floor heating, Bose sound systems and wireless internet. Hosted by wine producers Peter Milhinch and Sharyn Rogers, guests can immerse themselves in an authentic Barossa food, wine, and heritage experience. Gold - Hannah's Cottage Bed & Breakfast Silver - Bellevue Bed & Breakfast McLaren Vale Category 21 Unforgettable Houseboats operate a fleet of 11 prestigious hire/drive houseboats based at the Murray River town of Mannum. Ranging in size from two to six bedrooms, the houseboats can accommodate up to 12 people in comfort and style. Luxuries include king and queen size bedrooms with ensuites, gourmet kitchens, 24-hour heated Jacuzzis, ducted air-conditioning, and home theatre systems. There are also a range of visitor services on offer such as transfers, tours and catering. After 16 years in operation, Unforgettable Houseboats continually strive to ensure their clients’ experience in South Australia is truly ‘unforgettable’. Silver - Quality Houseboats Category 22 Narnu Farm gives visitors a rural holiday experience on Hindmarsh Island, with a focus on horse riding, farm animals and an escape from city living. The managers strive to attract more families and school children to learn about the animals and experience the magic of Narnu. The property has seven self-contained cottages as well as a unique bunkhouse dating from 1878 which can accommodate groups of up to 100 guests, making Narnu Farm an ideal holiday destination for families or school groups. The farm offers a number of horse-riding activities and a vintage truck farm tour as well as a wide range of complimentary activities, from animal feeding and blacksmithing to sports and campfires. Silver - Woodhouse Activity Centre Category 23 For over five years the Majestic Roof Garden Hotel has offered both leisure and corporate visitors a boutique 4.5 star accommodation option in the vibrant east end of Adelaide. Architecturally designed to interpret the patterns and textures of regional Australia, the building features corrugated materials on the exterior together with the suspended wave-like canopy over the roof garden, offering spectacular views of Adelaide and the surrounding hills. The 120 rooms are luxurious throughout with modern interior design, king size beds and opulent bathrooms. Majestic Hotels is a South Australian owned and operated hotel chain. Silver - Brice Hill Country Lodge, Brooklands Heritage Bed & Breakfast and Port Lincoln Hotel Bronze - Jacob's Creek Retreat, Marion Bay Motel, Must @ Coonawarra, Pobblebonk Bed & Breakfast, Port Willunga Cottages and Treasured Memories Category 24 The Sebel Playford Adelaide is a specialist boutique, five-star hotel offering unique accommodation, outstanding service and cuisine. Situated on North Terrace in Adelaide, the hotel provides 182 bedrooms from spacious guestrooms, individually appointed studio suites or “New York” style loft suites. The Playford Restaurant and Lounge Bar offer innovative world cuisine in Art Nouveau surrounds while leisure facilities include 24 hour health club, indoor pool and spa. The hotel boasts magnificent function facilities, including a Grand Ballroom, with seven versatile rooms used for dinners, receptions, conferences and events. The Sebel Playford prides itself in maintaining a truly exceptional guest experience excelling in ways that surpass guest expectations making their stay special and memorable. Silver - Rawnsley Park Station Eco-Villas and Stamford Plaza Adelaide Category 25 Supported by Messenger Community News Tanonga luxury eco lodges are an exclusive and intimate eco experience on the Eyre Peninsula, which were completed in January 2009. Situated on 200 hectares including restored natural bushland, at Charlton Gully, near Port Lincoln, visitors can enjoy magnificent views, walking trails, abundant rare bird and wildlife, local wine, gourmet food, and the complete privacy of their own architecturally designed, solar powered, self contained luxury eco lodge. Recognised as exceptional and superior quality visitor accommodation, the owners have made an ongoing commitment to service excellence to ensure that staying at Tanonga luxury eco lodges will be an experience to remember. Silver - McLaren Vale Studio Apartments, Tour Barossa and Wilderness Wanders Category 26 Hilton Adelaide is acutely aware of local environment issues and recognises its responsibility to improve its practices towards a sustainable future. Hilton Adelaide has a clear goal to be an environmental leader in the hospitality and tourism industry and be recognised by the community as an environmental champion. The hotel’s sustainability policy focuses on all elements of the hotel operation with set targets, measures and benchmarks for continually improving the operation. Taking considerable steps towards a more sustainable operation, Hilton Adelaide launched the ‘We Care’ campaign in 2008, and aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and ecological footprint through yearly incremental reductions in energy and waste consumption and improved waste recycling. Gold - Sinclair's Gully Silver - Adelaide Convention Centre Category 27 Supported by Qantas Airways Jane James Jane James is Professor of Tourism at Flinders University and has been instrumental in the establishment and ongoing coordination of its successful tourism programs since 1997. Jane is well known for her mentoring and development of emerging industry professionals; her leadership and wise counsel; her enthusiasm and commitment to South Australia. Jane’s contribution to tourism is intricately entwined with her teaching and research. Over the years, Jane has been involved on a number of educational boards, panels and committees to help shape the future of tourism education for this State. Also widely recognised for her research projects in regional South Australia with a special focus on mining, industrial and settlement heritage interpretation. Jane is extensively published in a number of fields including geo-parks and geo-tourism and has significant consulting experience with local, state and federal government agencies. With an international reputation for her work in site interpretation and tourism and for her seminal research with a number of organisations, Jane is a sought after speaker for international keynote addresses and presentations.
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