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2023 South Australian Tourism Award Winners
The winners of the 2023 South Australian Tourism Awards have been revealed!
Congratulations to our 31 category winners, four Hall of Fame entrants, and silver & bronze medallists recognised at the Gala Dinner on Friday 3 November.
The South Australian Tourism Awards program, delivered annually by Tourism Industry Council South Australia (TiCSA), recognises business excellence and outstanding achievement in the state’s tourism industry.
Read on for all of this year’s winners and medallists.
Major Tourist Attractions
Monarto Safari Park
Supported by Big Red Group
The wild is calling at Monarto Safari Park, the largest safari experience outside of Africa. Monarto Safari Park is home to more than 700 exotic and Australian native animals, including many of Africa’s most impressive animals.
Silver
Adelaide Oval
Tourist Attractions
d’Arenberg
Supported by the Big Red Group
Located in one of the original wine producing regions of Australia, the d’Arenberg Cube is a five story multi-function centre that appears to be floating among the vines. The Cube houses d’Arenberg winery’s tasting room, restaurant, private tasting areas, as well as an immersive art gallery.
Major Festivals & Events
Illuminate Adelaide
Supported by Festival City Adelaide
Each July, Illuminate Adelaide shines a light on South Australia by bringing together the boldest in art, light, music and technology from around the world. In July 2022, Illuminate turned Adelaide’s streetscapes and iconic locations into a city-wide spectacle daring audiences to shake off the winter blues and rekindle a sense of wonder.
Silver
Adelaide Cabaret Festival
Bronze
WOMADelaide
Festivals & Events
2023 Let’s Go Caravan, Camping and Outdoor Show
Supported by Festival City Adelaide
The annual Let’s Go Caravan, Camping and Outdoor Show is a one-stop shop for visitors to explore and compare caravan and camping products, join in family fun activations and become immersed in the outdoor lifestyle – and of course plan their final holiday destinations.
Silver
SALT Festival 2023
Ecotourism
The Big Duck Boat Tours
Supported by Toyota
The Big Duck Boat Tours strives for ‘world’s best practice in ocean wildlife exploration’. Operating in the Encounter Marine Park off the Fleurieu Peninsula, guests are awed by spectacular granite islands rich with orange hues, towering cliffs, rugged seascapes and an array of marine-life.
Silver
Camel Treks Australia
Bronze
CABN
Cultural Tourism
The Cedars Hahndorf – Hall of Fame
The Cedars is the iconic Adelaide Hills estate of renowned Australian artist Sir Hans Heysen and his family. Visitors can tour the beautiful historic house, heritage listed studios and view over 200 original art works.
This is the third consecutive year The Cedars Hahndorf has won this category. They have now entered the South Australian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame!
Silver
Adelaide Zoo
Bronze
Flamboyance Tours
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island Tourism Experiences
Kool Tours
Supported by RAA Travel
Kool Tours is a family owned and operated business delivering unforgettable, immersive Aboriginal experiences with complete cultural authority throughout the Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island.
Tourism Retail, Hire & Services
Copper Trails Bike Hire
Supported by Adelady
Copper Trails Bike Hire, your premier destination for biking adventures on the scenic Yorke Peninsula, specialising in E-Bikes. Explore stunning landscapes and hidden gems through advice from our friendly, knowledgeable team.
Visitor Information Services
Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre
Supported by the Local Government Association of South Australia
Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre distinguishes itself by offering exceptional customer service that exceeds expectations. Dedicated staff members are committed to tending to the needs of visitors and tailoring a tourism experience that aligns seamlessly with the preferences of each individual.
Business Event Venues
Adelaide Oval
Supported by Adelaide Airport Limited
South Australia’s home of major cultural and sporting events, Adelaide Oval is also home to the state’s foremost functions, events & conferencing offering. A series of unique indoor and outdoor function spaces cater for groups of up to 3000 guests.
Tour & Transport Operators
Spirit of the Coorong
Supported by RAA Travel
‘Spirit of the Coorong’ is a long running company operating a catalogue of exceptional eco-tourism boat tours along the mighty River Murray, Lower Lakes & into the world renowned Coorong National Park. Custom designed vessels explore wondrous wetlands and Skippers and Guides share their knowledge and wealth of experience.
Silver
Experience Coffin Bay
Bronze
Carriage of Occasion
Adventure Tourism
Bendleby Ranges – Hall of Fame
Supported by Tourism Australia
Bendleby Ranges is the home of adventure in the Southern Flinders Ranges. Fifteen thousand hectares of rock-hopping, jaw-dropping, heart-stopping exhilaration to challenge all levels of four-wheel drivers, hikers, and mountain bikers.
This is the third consecutive year Bendleby Ranges has won this category. They have now entered the South Australian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame!
Silver
Woodhouse Adventure Park
Tourism Marketing & Campaigns
RDA Eyre Peninsula – Eyre. The Wild Side
Supported by Tourism Australia
Eyre is for those in search of something deeper from their travels. It calls you to step gentler; explore slower; connect deeper and leave feeling a whole lot lighter. Are you ready to discover your wild side? Eyre. South Australia’s Wild Side.
Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services
The Currant Shed
Supported by Restaurant & Catering Australia
Built as a drying house for local currants, today The Currant Shed is a stylish, lunch-only restaurant, supporting over 50 local growers with a strong ‘garden to plate’ philosophy. An unrivalled informal, yet informed dining service style, set on a stunning 60-acre estate.
Silver
L’Anse French Cafe
Bronze
Watervale Hotel
Tourism Wineries
Seppeltsfield Wines
Supported by the South Australian Tourism Commission
Seppeltsfield Barossa is a historic wine estate, established in 1851 that has evolved into a modern tourism village with a winery cellar door at its centre. Visitors can experience wine tastings and tours, long lunches, retail stores, Segway tours of the vineyards and more.
Silver
Kimbolton Wines
Bronze
Elderton Wines
Tourism Distilleries & Breweries
Twenty Third Street Distillery
Supported by the South Australian Tourism Commission
Twenty Third Street Distillery, Renmark is a new incarnation of a century-old landmark. Century-old copper pot stills sit comfortably alongside modern distillation techniques, with the working distillery producing award winning craft-spirits and attracting visitors from near and far.
Caravan & Holiday Parks
BIG4 West Beach Parks
Supported by Caravan & Camping SA
Set on 1.2kms of stunning Adelaide beachfront, BIG4 West Beach Parks is a much-loved holiday park destination. With a huge choice of caravan sites plus spacious self-catering cabins and luxurious beach houses, there’s a holiday option for everyone and every budget.
Silver
Minlaton Caravan Park
Bronze
Karoonda Tourist Park
Hosted Accommodation
Oceanview Eco Villas
Supported by the South Australian Tourism Commission
Oceanview Eco Villas offer a fully hosted, bespoke, end to end experience for Kangaroo Island visitors. Showcasing the best of luxury and personalised service, with a strong focus also on sustainability and regenerative travel.
Unique Accommodation
Woodhouse Adventure Park – Hall of Fame
Supported by the South Australian Tourism Commission
Woodhouse Adventure Park, in the Adelaide Hills, specialises in experience-based accommodation, offering screen-free family fun in the great outdoors. Diverse accommodation options include chalets, glamping bell tents, bunkhouses, a two-storey heritage mansion, camping and caravanning in expansive camping fields.
This is the third consecutive year Woodhouse Adventure Park has won this category. They have now entered the South Australian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame!
Self-Contained Accommodation
Naiko Retreat – Hall of Fame
Supported by Altitude Advisory
Naiko Retreat is a luxury eco retreat located on the Fleurieu Peninsula coastline. On a cliff overlooking a pristine, secluded beach, the retreat was constructed in harmony with the environment, keeping wildlife and nature front and centre.
This is the third consecutive year Naiko Retreat has won this category. They have now entered the South Australian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame!
Silver
Old Coach Road Estate
3-3.5 Star Accommodation
ibis Adelaide
Supported by Wallmans Lawyers
Vibrant. Affordable. Hi-Tech. A fresh, new destination among CBD hotels, ibis Adelaide is the best value in the heart of the city. Boasting 311 modern guest room accommodation outfitted with the latest technology and views of Adelaide Hills.
4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation
Beach Huts Middleton
Supported by Australian Hotels Association SA & Accommodation Australia
Located centrally on the bountiful Fleurieu Peninsula, Beach Huts Middleton offers iconic coastal themed boutique 4-star luxury accommodation in a village style atmosphere set amongst seaside gardens.
Silver
Bridgeport Hotel
Bronze
Pullman Adelaide
5 Star Luxury Accommodation
Sequoia Lodge
Supported by Australian Hotels Association SA & Accommodation Australia
Perfectly perched on the side of Mount Lofty, Sequoia Lodge offers a unique connective experience with the surrounding region and opulent physical amenity with 14, 5-star luxury, sustainably-designed suites.
Silver
Le Mas Barossa
New Tourism Business
Port River Cruises
Supported by RAA Travel
Port River Cruises provides an exceptional marine tourism experience from Port Adelaide. Cruise the Port River on a guided tour, pass through the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and visit the Ships Graveyard.
Silver
Brindabella Sailing
Bronze
Beresford Estate
Excellence in Food Tourism
Adelaide Showground Farmers Market
Supported by Adelady
The Adelaide Showground Farmers’ Market represents the pinnacle of food tourism experiences in South Australia, offering an immersive, authentic journey into our state’s vibrant agricultural scene.
Excellence in Accessible Tourism
Adelaide Fringe
Supported by Toyota
Adelaide Fringe is an annual arts festival that celebrates culture, place and artists from across the globe. Adelaide Fringe takes access and inclusivity seriously with a range of initiatives in place to ensure everyone can enjoy the world-renowned Fringe.
Silver
Monarto Safari Park
Outstanding Contribution
Ian Horne
Supported by the South Australian Tourism Commission
Ian Horne has had a significant influence in the tourism industry over nearly four decades. As the long-term CEO of the Australian Hotels Association SA Branch, he has been a source of advocacy and leadership at industry and sector level.
Young Achiever
Isabel Nietschke
Supported by SeaLink
Isabel has demonstrated exceptional potential both through her industry engagement and impact and her academic pursuits. She chooses to work and volunteer in diverse roles and locations across regional South Australia and is willing to go well above and beyond.
South Australian Taxi Driver of the Year
Jayant Jain
Supported by Taxi Council South Australia
Jayant Jain drives with Adelaide Independent Taxis. Right from his very first day he loved the job immensely and is always cheerful, whether the trip is short or long. His slogan “Give a smile, get a smile” has won him support from his many regular customers.
Voters’ Choice: Experience / Service
Monarto Safari Park
Supported by Tourism Industry Council South Australia
South Australians and visitors have voted! Monarto Safari Park have doubled up on their Gold in Major Tourist Attractions, with the Voters’ Choice for Experiences and Services.
Voters’ Choice: Accommodation
BIG4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park
Supported by Tourism Industry Council South Australia
BIG4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park has confirmed its status as a much-loved destination for South Australians and visitors with the Voters’ Choice – Accommodation Award!
The entrant with the highest overall score in each category is declared the winner. Medals (silver and bronze) were awarded to the second-highest and third-highest scoring entrants provided they meet a minimum score threshold. ‘Hall of Fame’ recognition is awarded to entrants who win the same category three years in a row.