Latest news with #AustralianTourismExchange
Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Straits Times
Four days in Adelaide: Where to go, what to do and eat
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Adelaide is often described as the "20-minute city", as many major attractions as easily accessible by foot or road from the city. ADELAIDE, Australia – Ask a local what Adelaide is best known for and, chances are, he or she will mention its '20-minute city' reputation. Thanks to the city's tidy grid layout and light traffic, most attractions are a short drive away. The airport, beach and picturesque Adelaide Hills wine region are all accessible in about 20 minutes by road. Within the city, many major attractions – the Adelaide Botanic Garden, Adelaide Central Market and Adelaide Zoo – are close enough to reach on foot. In recent years, Adelaide has sought to make the city more appealing to international travellers. It has held major global events, such as the LIV Golf tournament, for which it is Australia's exclusive host until 2031. In 2026, it will host the Australian Tourism Exchange – an international travel trade event expected to draw visitors from around the world. With growing awareness of what the city has to offer, more Singaporeans are now visiting Adelaide, using it as a base to explore South Australia's small towns, wine valleys and wildlife attractions. Based on the International Market Update 2024 by the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC), Singapore is South Australia's most mature travel market – comprising seasoned travellers who make travel plans independently and often – in Asia and its eighth-largest inbound market globally. A spokesperson for SATC says: 'The Singaporean market has become much more adventurous over the years. It was a market that used to keep to Adelaide city hotels as a base, with day trips into our regions. Now, we are seeing many more Singaporean travellers hire cars and have extended holidays into regional South Australia.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Construction starts on Cross Island Line Phase 2; 6 MRT stations in S'pore's west ready by 2032 Singapore New SkillsFuture requirements from April 2026 to mandate regular training for adult educators Singapore MPs should not ask questions to 'clock numbers'; focus should be improving S'poreans' lives: Seah Kian Peng Singapore Sequencing and standards: Indranee on role of Leader of the House Asia Australian woman found guilty of all counts in mushroom murders case Singapore askST Jobs: Facing intrusive demands from your employer? Here's what you can do Singapore NUS College draws 10,000 applications for 400 places, showing strong liberal arts interest Singapore Life After... blazing biomedical research trail in S'pore: Renowned scientist breaks new ground at 59 In June, I make my third visit to Adelaide in the past decade, finding that the city – more quaint and relaxed than bustling Melbourne and Sydney – has grown more vibrant over the years. Restaurants and bars open till late, and the city hosts myriad festivals such as food fiesta Tasting Australia and arts event Adelaide Festival that celebrate South Australian culture and heritage. Here is a four-day itinerary to explore the city's highlights. Day 1: Check into the newly opened Monarto Safari Resort Monarto Safari Resort has 78 rooms and suites, with some overlooking a watering hole where animals from Monarto Safari Park stop to graze. PHOTO: JOURNEY BEYOND Check into Monarto Safari Resort ( ), which opened in May and is located within Monarto Safari Park. The park, which measures around 1,500ha, is the largest open-range wildlife park outside Africa, with more than 500 animals from Australia and around the world. The property is managed and operated by Journey Beyond, an Australian experiential tourism group based in Adelaide, and has 78 rooms and suites ranging in size from 32 to 80 sq m. Nightly rates for its entry-level Savannah King room – which has a king-size bed and a balcony – start at A$285 (S$240). Rooms at Monarto Safari Resort range in size from 32 to 80 sq m. PHOTO: JOURNEY BEYOND The drive from the airport to Monarto Safari Resort is around an hour. While you can try requesting an earlier check-in time, the resort's standard timing is 3pm. Once you have settled in, visit the nearby Murray Bridge town – around a 10-minute drive from the resort. Murray Bridge Marketplace mall typically opens till around 5.30pm and makes for a convenient place to shop and have a meal. The resort has one restaurant – Kutjera Restaurant and Bar, which highlights native ingredients in its dishes. All its local produce is grown north of Adelaide, and its cheeses are crafted by artisan cheesemakers in Adelaide and Adelaide Hills. The pan-fried barramundi comes with a tasty, grey leaf ash sauce. ST PHOTO: SARAH STANLEY Try the 100 day dry-aged prime sirloin and pan-fried barramundi – which sits in a deliciously savoury grey leaf ash sauce that belies its unappetising hue. Schedule a treatment at the resort's Marula Day Spa – rates start at A$165 for a 60-minute massage – or spend the evening by the outdoor pools, where you might spot an antelope galloping by or hear a lion roar in the distance. The outdoor pools at Monarto Safari Resort allow guests to lounge and look out for safari animals that wander across the plains. PHOTO: JOURNEY BEYOND Day 2: Get up close to wildlife Just across the fence line that runs along the back of Monarto Safari Resort, antelope, zebra and other animals graze near a watering hole. PHOTO: JOURNEY BEYOND Catch the sunrise and spot animals such as giraffes and zebras grazing at the watering hole near the resort before breakfast. As in a safari, animal sightings are not guaranteed. On my first morning at around 8am, I spot a tower of giraffes crossing the plains and some antelope bounding towards the watering hole. On my second morning at around the same time, I catch only two emus strutting about in the distance. Spend the rest of your morning at Monarto Safari Park ( ), where animals like the southern white rhino and scimitar-horned oryx roam open plains. Visitors can explore the park via its walking trails – which range from 500m to 2km and are fenced to create a safe boundary between visitors and animals – or take the hop-on-hop-off bus. The park is located around a five-minute drive from the resort and free shuttle buses are available. Check with the front desk for timings. Resort guests pay discounted rates for general park admission. Adult admission for those aged 15 and above costs A$40, while child admission for those aged four to 14 costs A$21. Those aged below four enter free. Non-staying guests pay A$49 an adult and A$27 a child aged four to 14 for general admission. Tickets are available for pre-booking up to three months in advance, and the park recommends doing so as daily visitor numbers are capped. Monarto Safari Park and Adelaide Zoo are part of the non-profit organisation Zoos South Australia (Zoos SA). One of the organisation's aims is to achieve positive and impactful outcomes in animal conservation. To do so, the park undertakes various conservation strategies – including breeding programmes and translocations, where an animal species is intentionally moved and released to support its recovery in the wild – and has made great progress since its opening in 1983. The red-tailed phascogales, an Australian marsupial, was once locally extinct. PHOTO: MONARTO SAFARI PARK Among its recent success stories are the release of 92 red-tailed phascogales, an Australian marsupial, and 40 greater stick-nest rats to restart their populations in New South Wales after both species had gone extinct locally. The captive-bred animals were reintroduced into protected predator-free areas with the aim of establishing self-sustaining populations in the regions they were previously absent from. The park has also succeeded in captive breeding of the Mallee emu-wren – a tiny brown bird once extinct in South Australia due to bushfires – having bred 25 of the birds to date. 'We try to choose conservation programmes where we have a skill set we know we can apply, complement other partners and value-add to the work that they are doing,' says the park's conservation manager Mark Smith. According to Mr Smith, Zoos SA contributes annually about A$100,000 each to domestic and international conservation initiatives. Funding for these efforts – as well as the general operations of the park – largely comes from park entry ticket sales, membership-based support, donor contributions and sponsorships. An average of 6 per cent from the cost of each guest booking at the resort goes to Zoos SA's conservation fund, which supports various conservation activities, including research and education. Zebras graze alongside the safari truck on a sunset drive through the park's open plains. ST PHOTO: SARAH STANLEY Head back to the resort by early afternoon and enjoy a different view of the animals on a sunset safari ride – an experience available only to resort guests. The 2½-hour Sunset Wildlife Safari guided tour grants after-hours access to the park aboard its safari truck. Tickets cost A$165 an adult and A$105 each for those aged between four and 14. Kids under four years old go for free. Canapes and drinks – both alcoholic and non-alcoholic – are included. During my game drive, we see animals such as zebras and antelopes graze less than 5m away. We manage to get close to a giraffe sitting gracefully among tall grass and watch as cheetahs prowl through the grassland, with their sights set on some nyalas just beyond the electric fence separating the two species. A giraffe sits quietly among the tall grass during a sunset tour of Monarto Safari Park. ST PHOTO: SARAH STANLEY Our guide shares more conservation wins, including how the scimitar-horned oryx – a desert antelope originally from Africa – was once listed as extinct in the wild in 2000 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to several anthropogenic threats, including poaching and habitat loss. Once extinct in the wild, the scimitar-horned oryx now has healthier population numbers, though more work has to be done to help the species thrive. ST PHOTO: SARAH STANLEY Monarto Safari Park was part of a global initiative to boost the animal's population with research and breeding programmes. As at December 2023, the antelope is at less of a risk, with its conservation status lowered from IUCN's extinction list to Red List of Threatened Species – a significant conservation milestone as a result of collective efforts. The combination of insightful commentary and observing animal behaviour – set in the cold winter air, against the pink-blue hues of the darkening sky – stir in me a deeper appreciation for the richness of wildlife. Day 3: Explore Adelaide Hills Head to Adelaide Hills for views of rolling hills and open pastures, and stop for lunch at one of more than 50 cellar doors in the wine region. The Lane Vineyard is among more than 50 cellar doors in the Adelaide Hills wine region. PHOTO: THE LANE VINEYARD Adelaide Hills is known for its cool-climate wines, such as sauvignon blanc, pinot noir and chardonnay. As one of the highest wine regions in South Australia – with elevation ranging from 400m to more than 700m above sea level – grapes grown here ripen more slowly, allowing their natural acidity to be preserved while developing other complex flavours. The Lane Vineyard offers experiences like trout fishing and all-terrain vehicle tours of the property. PHOTO: SOUTH AUSTRALIA TOURISM COMMISSION White wines from here are sparkling and crisp. Sauvignon blancs are my favourite, for how bright and fruity they land on the palate. And South Australian red wines, such as the popular pinot noir, are lighter than bold, full-bodied varietals like shiraz and cabernet sauvignon from warmer regions. The Lane Vineyard ( ) has a restaurant and tasting room, and offers activities like an all-terrain vehicle tour of its 40ha site, as well as trout fishing. A four-course menu costs A$105 a person, or order from the seasonal menu with mains starting at around A$40. Tasting flights at wineries typically start at A$15 and include between three and six glasses of wine. Some wineries waive the tasting fee if you buy a bottle of wine. Go behind the scenes on a tour of Jurlique Farm to learn about operations there. PHOTO: SOUTH AUSTRALIA TOURISM COMMISSION Visit Jurlique Farm ( ), where global skincare brand Jurlique plants and harvests botanicals like roses and manuka myrtle for use in its products. The farm has tour experiences from A$40 a person that includes a behind-the-scenes look at its operations, such as how seedlings and plants are propagated, and how to harvest flowers. A retail store stocks some of the brand's best-selling products, including creams, facial mists and oils. If you have time for one more winery, head to Penfolds Magill Estate Cellar Door ( ), located 20 minutes by road from Adelaide's central business district. Penfolds Magill Estate Cellar Door is a 181-year-old property. PHOTO: SOUTH AUSTRALIA TOURISM COMMISSION The 181-year-old property was where Penfolds wine company was started, which today produces some of Australia's most well-known wines. Have a bite at the recently renovated Magill Estate Kitchen bistro, which serves modern Australian dishes in a casual setting. Heritage tours and wine tastings are available and can be booked via its website. Prices start at A$35 for a tour that lasts 1½ to two hours. Back in the city, enjoy a leisurely stroll around city park Victoria Square. Food and drink festival Tasting Australia is held annually in Adelaide over about 10 days, with more than 150 smaller events held throughout the event. PHOTO: SOUTH AUSTRALIA TOURISM COMMISSION While retail shops generally shutter at around 6pm, some restaurants and bars in the city stay open till around midnight. Food and drinks are affordable, with options ranging between A$10 and A$40 for a main. Areas such as Peel Street and Leigh Street have a good selection of restaurants and bars serving various cuisines, and popular joints are buzzing. For instance, Fugazzi Bar & Dining Room ( ), a New York-inspired restaurant in Leigh Street, is nearly full on a Wednesday night at 8.30pm. It features an Italian-American menu with imaginative small plates, pastas and wood-fired meats. Mains start at A$34. Try the gnocco fritto at Fugazzi, which is similar to a fried doughnut served with whipped ricotta, honey, black pepper, extra virgin olive oil and sea salt. ST PHOTO: SARAH STANLEY Alternatively, check out Vietnamese restaurant Sit Lo ( ) or Indian eatery Bollywood ( ) for meals under A$20 a person in the CBD. Day 4: Explore the city Head to Adelaide Central Market for brunch. The market is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays, and has more than 70 traders selling fresh produce, baked goods and souvenirs such as books, magnets and soaps. Adelaide Central Market has more than 70 traders selling fresh produce, baked goods and souvenirs. ST PHOTO: SARAH STANLEY Tour guide Stephanie Taylor, 71, a fifth-generation Adelaide resident, frequents the market and says produce can sometimes be two to three times cheaper than in supermarkets. 'On Saturdays at around 2pm, you can find vendors selling things at a discounted price. If you don't shop here, you're silly.' Have a sit-down meal at Lucia's Pizza & Spaghetti Bar ( ; pasta dishes start at A$20), with ravioli that is raved about online, or pick up bites at stalls around the market. A public dining area with chairs and tables is available. Stroll down Australia's first pedestrian street mall Rundle Mall, which has 700 retailers, including local chocolate company Haigh's Chocolates and Australian fashion brands like Review and Noni B. End the night with dinner at one of the restaurants in Pirie Street. Establishments like Part Time Lover ( ) and Osteria Oggi ( ) come recommended by locals. Travel tips Singapore Airlines is currently the only carrier with non-stop flights between Singapore and Adelaide. The journey takes about 6½ hours, with two daily departure options from Singapore: a morning flight at around 8am, and a late-night flight past 11pm. The latter is ideal for maximising your time in Adelaide, as it arrives at about 7.30am local time. Return economy class fares for travel in July start at around $1,200, based on checks by The Straits Times. A new hotel in the city is Adelaide Marriott ( ), which opened in August 2024 in the former Adelaide General Post Office building. A night in its superior guest room in July starts at A$278. Airbnb apartment rentals for two typically cost about $200 a night in the city. While public transport such as trams, buses and trains are available, the best way to get around – especially when exploring the outskirts of the city – is by renting a car. Based on checks by ST, for a mid-sized sport utility vehicle such as a BYD Atto 3, prices start at around A$70 a day for a four-day rental period in July from car rental company Sixt, which is located at the airport. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Didi work here.
Herald Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- Herald Sun
Simple pleasures: SA to host 2026 Australian Tourism Exchange
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News. South Australia's tourism industry is one of the state's most dynamic and rapidly growing sectors, pumping $9.8 billion into the state's economy in 2024 – and setting its sights even higher. With a new Tourism Plan 2030 on the horizon, the sector is gearing up to reach a record $12.8 billion by the end of the decade. After a rapid recovery of almost 10,000 new jobs in 2023, the visitor economy now employs 41,600 jobs statewide. Tourism's benefits are shared across the state, with regional South Australia seeing visitor spend peaking at $4.7 billion, continuing to play a vital role in supporting local economies. Interstate visitors reached a record $3.7 billion in expenditure in the most recent data to December 2024, while international visitors are returning strongly, with spend reaching a record $1.3 billion. 'There is real energy and momentum in our state in terms of its visitor economy,' South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) chief executive Emma Terry says. 'In recent years, South Australia has seen remarkable growth – new luxury accommodation, vibrant festivals and direct international connections are elevating the visitor experience.' South Australia has also seen a rise in hosting national forums. The Qantas Australian Tourism Awards held their 40th anniversary at the Convention Centre in March, while the Adelaide Oval hosted the 2025 Asia Pacific Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition in May, bringing 1600 stakeholders to the South Australian capital from across the Asia Pacific region. In 2026, the Convention Centre will host the Australian Tourism Exchange, bringing together 2500 delegates from across the country. 'ATE26 will be a showcase of South Australia's creativity, culture, and collaborative spirit,' Terry says. 'Hosting the event in Adelaide is a tremendous opportunity to share South Australia's story with the world's most influential travel buyers and media. We definitely have the spotlight on our state.' South Australian Tourism Commission chief executive Emma Terry with Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison at the recent Australian Tourism Exchange in Brisbane. Picture: Supplied The Visitor Economy Sector Plan is being updated following engagement with more than 400 members of the tourism industry across all 12 South Australian regions. 'We wanted to make sure the plan still reflects the needs and aspirations of operators, local businesses and communities across the state,' Terry says. 'We see positioning the state as all of South Australia. There is strength in the entire offering. We know people enjoy spending time in Adelaide, but there are great opportunities out in our regions. Kangaroo Island and the Barossa are well regarded internationally, but lots of visitors travel into the Eyre Peninsula and head up into the Flinders Ranges and Outback. 'Including with our portion of the Murray River, we have a lot of opportunities that suit different market segments. That's the beauty of our state – being able to tap into each one of those and direct the right audiences to them. We want to continue to build on that in this plan and into the future.' The Plan will focus on three enduring pillars of South Australia's tourism appeal: nature, food, wine and drink, and events and festivals. 'We are affectionately known as the Festival State,' Terry says. 'We are well regarded for our events and festivals, both existing and some of the new ones like LIV Golf and Gather Round that have got the attention of the nation. 'Also, our own brand research shows we are regarded No.1 in Australia for our food and wine. 'There's a great opportunity to build that out. But one area we aren't as well known for – but have great opportunity in – is our nature. 'When you think about our wonderful coastlines and peninsulas, the hills and our Outback – they're all in close proximity. That's an area we want to build out in this iteration of the Plan over the next few years and make more of our natural icons.' SATC is also working on a winter marketing campaign to encourage South Australians to experience the beauty of the regions during this time and support local economies. 'We want South Australia to be seen as a place of authentic moments, with real hospitality, creativity and natural wonder – a destination where every visitor feels welcome,' Terry says. Log on here to learn more about the simple pleasures of South Australia. SA delegates at the Australian Tourism Exchange in Brisbane Spotlight shines on SA The very best of South Australia will go on show to the world next year – courtesy of Tourism Australia's largest annual trade event. The 2026 Australian Tourism Exchange will be held in Adelaide in May, bringing more than 2500 industry delegates from around Australia and the world to learn first-hand about what SA has to offer. The four-day conference will inject an estimated $14 million into the local economy – in the short term – and deliver further far-reaching benefits as delegates from 32 countries spread the word about SA's appeal as a holiday destination. Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison describes the showcase – which will be hosted in partnership with the South Australian Tourism Commission at the Adelaide Convention Centre from May 10 to 14, 2026 – as 'an incredible opportunity' for SA. 'It's our largest annual trade event,' she says. 'It's a chance for the tourism industry to get in touch with key tourism decision-makers from around the world and talk about all things Australian for four days.' Adelaide last hosted the conference in 2018, and was announced as the host of ATE26 at this year's event in Brisbane, which attracted 2800 delegates. 'The trade show is just going from strength to strength and getting bigger every single year so I do think there will be similar delegate numbers (in Adelaide),' Harrison says. 'It's an incredible opportunity for South Australia. I think it does sort of supercharge the global understanding of South Australia as an incredible tourism destination – so we're really excited to be bringing it to Adelaide. 'It's a national show we move around the country but there is a real benefit for being the host state. There's an immediate benefit – the event itself injects around $14 million to the host destination, with all of the delegates, all of the spend and the food and drink consumed at the many, many events that go on in and around it.' Delegates enjoy a taste of South Australia at the recent Australian Tourism Exchange in Brisbane. Picture: Supplied Harrison says the longer-term advantage comes from conference delegates spending 'at least four days in and around Adelaide' and participating in various familiarisation programs. 'It's a huge long-term boost to the visitor economy. We get people over for the four business days – the trade show – but then we also get them out to experience different parts of Australia,' she says. 'And I know that last time that Adelaide hosted ATE, I think about 700 of those buyers went out and enjoyed various experiences around South Australia.' Harrison says South Australia and Adelaide 'has an incredible story' to share at what is essentially a 'show and tell for the world'. 'We often say in tourism that it's much more important to show and not tell people how great Australia is – and this week is a real proof point,' she says. 'Everybody knows Kangaroo Island, for example, so ATE not only reminds them of it, but also shows them what might be new and different on the island.' Harrison says South Australia's food and wine will again also feature prominently. For more details log on to Kerry and Simon Meares, of Coonawarra Experiences. Picture: Jamie McDonald Soaking up the SA experience A 'fork in the road' decision to swap the western suburbs of Melbourne for the rolling vineyards of South Australia's Coonawarra continues to pay off for Simon and Kerry Meares. The couple's 2017 vine change saw them leap head-first into the tourism industry, with the establishment in Penola of accommodation and tour business Coonawarra Experiences allowing them to share their long-standing love of the area with others. The pair offer personally-tailored packages highlighting the 'simple pleasures' of the Limestone Coast – from local wineries through to Indigenous tours and natural attractions. 'Our backgrounds were nothing to do with tourism whatsoever,' Simon Meares, a former sales/IT professional, says. 'We'd been visiting the region for probably 10 or so years beforehand just to enjoy the wine and the various festivals and events here. 'We'd been talking about running our own business, and bemoaning the fact there really wasn't anybody doing or offering the service that we're offering now. 'We loved the area and knew a lot of the operators so it seemed like a natural progression. So we sold our home in Footscray and moved across in 2017.' During the ensuing eight years, the couple worked their way through the pandemic-related turmoil – where they relied exclusively on domestic visitors – through to a point where international and interstate tourists today make up almost 60 per cent of their clientele. Originally published as South Australian tourism industry on track for 2030 economic plan
Daily Mail
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Wally Lewis walks down the aisle with Lynda Adams in Brisbane...while the football great's three children were conspicuously absent amid family rift
NRL great Wally Lewis has tied the knot with partner Lynda Adams. The rugby league legend, known as The King, 65, walked town the aisle with his queen in a picturesque ceremony in Brisbane. The couple were surrounded by friends and family at Brisbane's heritage-listed St Mary's Anglican Church in Kangaroo Point. Wally looked chuffed on his big day, beaming broadly as he welcomed guests to the swanky affair. He cut quite the dapper figure in a classic black tuxedo and a yellow rose boutonniere. Lynda meanwhile looked absolutely stunning in an eye catching gown that featured a feathered ivory skirt, and a fitted bodice. The stunning dress was finished with sheer tulle sleeves and Lynda finished the ensemble with a bouquet of chrysanthemums. Footy Show host and fellow NRL legend Paul Vautin was spotted attending the nuptials. Also in attendance was Wally's long-time teammate Gene Miles who was in attendance as his mate's best man. However, Wally's three children - Lincoln, 37, Jamie Lee, 34, and Mitchell, 26, were conspicuously absent from the celebrations. In fact, as Wally and Linda were walking down the aisle, Lincoln took to Instagram to share an image of him attending an Australian Tourism Exchange event in Brisbane. So honoured to be the MC today for this year's Tourism @australia ATE,' the actor wrote. According to Woman's Day, the Queensland great proposed to his girlfriend late last year, three years after he ended his marriage with his first wife Jacqueline. A source told the publication in January that Wally's three children, who he shares with Jacqueline, may not be at their father's upcoming wedding. In fact, as Wally and Linda were walking down the aisle, Lincoln took to Instagram to share an image of him attending an Australian Tourism Exchange event in Brisbane 'Lynda's daughter Sydney, 15, is set to be in the wedding party, but she hasn't been seen with any of Wally's kids or his four grandkids,' a close friend told the publication. 'All three have sided with their mum since the split and while Wally is keen for them to be involved in his and Lynda's new life, they have hardly seen her.' The insider continued: 'I don't think any of the three kids will ever forgive their dad for hurting their mum.' The source claimed that Lewis' children would see attending their dad's wedding as an 'act of betrayal towards their mum'. The couple have been dating for over three years and their relationship commenced shortly after Lewis separated from Jacqueline after 36 years of marriage. Lewis confirmed his separation from his wife and the mother of his three children in February 2021. 'This is a deeply personal matter that we do not want to discuss publicly,' he said. 'I want to acknowledge the pain and upset my family has gone through since Jacqui and I separated last year. I hope over time we can rebuild our ties and move on with life.' It later emerged he was in a new relationship with Adams, a volunteer at Sands Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Newborn Death Support Group in Townsville.
