Category 03 Major Festivals & Events

Santos Tour Down Under

The first stop on the world cycling calendar, the Santos Tour Down Under attracts thousands of people from across Australia and around the world to Adelaide each January.  In 2011, the week-long event brought the world’s top cyclists including Lance Armstrong and Mark Cavendish to South Australia to compete in the elite World Tour race.  The Tour races across South Australia, attracting over 780,000 spectators and beaming images of the State’s capital and regions to millions of viewers worldwide.  More than a bike race, it is a festival of cycling with associated events that create a week-long party across the State.

Category 08 Specialised Tourism Services

Getaways Reservation Service

Getaways Reservation Service provides travellers with an online reservation and booking service, 24 hour telephone service as well as a personalised advisory service at the shop front in the Barossa Valley.  With a strong and effective network, the Getaways team has the ability to create tailor made itineraries for their clients and can book all facets of the holiday.  While Getaways does specialise in accommodation in the Barossa Valley, their 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.

Category 09 Visitor Information and Services

Yorke Peninsula Visitor Information Centre

Supported by Bookeasy Tourism Solutions

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.

Category 20 Hosted Accommodation

Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage

Set in a private vineyard in the historic Barossa Valley, Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage offers the discerning traveller premium, boutique vineyard 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 broadband internet.  Owned and hosted by wine producers Peter Milhinch and Sharyn Rogers, guests can immerse themselves in an authentic Barossa food, wine, and heritage experience.

Category 24 Luxury Accommodation

The Sebel Playford Adelaide

Supported by McLaren Vale Beer Company

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 award-winning cuisine in Art Nouveau surrounds while guest facilities include 24-hour leisure centre, business centre, indoor pool, spa and sauna.  The Sebel Playford prides itself in maintaining a truly exceptional guest experience, by creating a genuine “home away from home” feel, which has been nurtured by the hotel’s strong service culture, designed to surpass guest expectations and ensure a memorable stay. 

Category 01 Major Tourist Attractions

Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre

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 35 hectare site boasts panoramic views of the famous Barossa Ranges and vineyards, and encompasses a cellar door and restaurant, Australian wildlife enclosure and a walking trail along the 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 interpretive gallery and 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 10 Meetings and Business Tourism

Adelaide Convention Centre

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, last year the Centre hosted in excess of 600 events, generating $77.4 million in economic benefits and attracting 20,000 visitors to South Australia.

Category 15 Tourism Education & Training

School of Management - UniSA

Supported by Education Adelaide

The School of Management at the University of South Australia conducts innovative degrees in tourism, events, hospitality, sport and recreation management. With more than 2,500 students studying across four campuses in South Australia, nationally and internationally via online facilities, the degrees produce 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.

Category 21 Unique Accommodation

Unforgettable Houseboats

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 17 years in operation, Unforgettable Houseboats continually strive to ensure their clients’ experience in South Australia is truly ‘unforgettable’. 

Category 02 Tourist Attractions

Cleland Wildlife Park

Supported by TAFESA, Tourism, Events & Languages

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.

Category 07 Indigenous Tourism

Bookabee Tours Australia

Supported by the Depatment for Environment & Heritage

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.  

Category 11 Major Tour &/or Transport Operators

Adventure Tours Australia Group

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.  

Category 19 Backpacker Accommodation

Lakeside Manor YHA Backpackers

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.