Accommodation, activities & travel news information from South Australia - winter 2003/2004

ACCOMMODATION & DINING

OLD RAILWAY STATION BECOMES FIRST YHA ON YORKE PENINSULA First established in 1878, the Old Kadina Railway Station has reopened as a Youth Hostel ideal for independent travellers exploring the Yorke Peninsula or Clare Valley. Situated just 90 minutes from Adelaide, the Ironhorse Junction YHA at Kadina provides a perfect base for travellers seeking an authentic Australian rural community.

Adelaide has seen several new hotel openings over winter 2003/04. Here are further examples:

RAMADA OPENS NEW HOTEL AND SUITES IN ADELAIDE The new Ramada Adelaide Hotel & Suites is located in the popular North Terrace area of the city. With 125 one and two-bedroom apartments on 17 floors, the property also features a caf�-cum-bar, heated lap pool, fitness centre, car parking and 24-hour reception.

MAJESTIC ROOF GARDEN HOTEL One of South Australia�s newest properties, the Majestic Roof Garden Hotel is a spectacular 4.5-star property, conveniently located in Adelaide�s East End and offering panoramic views across the city and the Adelaide Hills. Destined to appeal to both business and leisure guests, the 120 rooms and suites are decorated to the highest standards. A fine dining restaurant, 24-hour business centre and gymnasium are among the additional facilities available.

GRAND HOTELS INTERNATIONAL TAKES ON THE CHANCELLOR ADELAIDE Located on Currie Street in the heart of the city, The Chancellor Adelaide has been completely restored and has recently been taken over by Grand Hotels International. This Georgian-style building offers boutique accommodation in 45 spacious deluxe rooms and 15 luxuriously furnished suites, all within walking distance of many places of interest, including the State Art Gallery, Museums, Parliament House, Botanic Gardens and Rundle Street shopping mall.

ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT

SOUTH AUSTRALIA LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE SCUBA DIVING A new Dive Secrets Guide is now available, highlighting several interesting dive sites in the region, including the former HMAS Hobart off the Fleurieu Peninsula and many other world-class sites stretching from the waters off Eyre Peninsula to the Limestone Coast in the South East.

ADELAIDE TO STAGE WAGNER�S �THE RING� From 16/11 � 12/12/04, The State Opera of South Australia will present the Australian premiere of Richard Wagner�s Ring Cycle/Der Ring des Nibelungen at the city�s world-famous Festival Theatre. The production will feature the largest and most complex sets ever built for opera in Australia. Numerous engineering experts are involved in developing spectacular special effects for the show, which is expected to generate A$15 (�6.5) million in economic benefits to the State.

Wagner�s Ring Cycle is one of six leading arts festivals being highlighted in The Heart of the Arts promotional campaign launched by the South Australian Tourism Commission. The other events helping to confirm Adelaide�s reputation as Australia�s centre for culture and the arts are The Adelaide Festival, Adelaide Fringe, WOMADelaide, Adelaide Cabaret Festival and Feast. www.saopera.sa.gov.au.

OUTLET SHOPPING IN STYLE Just 15 minutes from Adelaide, Harbour Town offers more than 50 fashion and homeware outlets where purchases can be snapped up from around 60 per cent below regular retail prices. The A$9.8 (�4.3) million complex combines shopping for top designer names such as Ralph Lauren, Dolce & Gabanna and Calvin Klein, with al fresco dining.

MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN CITY ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX SKYCITY Entertainment Group Ltd, owners of the former Adelaide Casino, announced plans to invest a potential A$70 (�30.4) million in the city�s gaming and entertainment complex. The first stage of the proposed project, expected to be completed by the end of 2004, will involve redeveloping the bar and restaurant, as well as constructing a new entrance and gaming areas at a cost of approximately A$20 (�8.7) million.

TRAVEL NEWS

INAUGURAL TRIP FROM ADELAIDE TO DARWIN FOR THE GHAN On 1/2/04 the world-famous Ghan departed Adelaide for Darwin on its inaugural journey following an A$1.2 (�0.52) billion investment in the extension of the rail link between Alice Springs and Darwin. The longest passenger train in Australian history (over one kilometre) travels the 2,979km in approximately 47 hours, taking two nights to complete. NEW BAGGAGE STORAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL PASSENGERS Regional Express Airlines is offering a new baggage storage facility at Adelaide Airport allowing passengers who are travelling on their flights to Kangaroo Island or Coober Pedy to store luggage they do not wish to carry with them. On returning from one of these destinations, passengers will find their luggage ready for collection from the baggage carousel, already labelled with their return travel details.

RUGBY WORLD CUP INJECTS A$8.2 MILLION INTO SA ECONOMY Almost 9,000 national and international rugby fans visited Adelaide for the Rugby World Cup 2003, injecting an estimated A$8.2 (3.6) million into the South Australian economy. Figures show that visitors who came to South Australia especially for the event stayed an average of four to five nights in Adelaide and then extended their stay elsewhere in the State for an average of two additional nights.

NEW TERMINAL FOR ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Construction has begun on the new A$240 (�104) million Adelaide Airport terminal, scheduled for completion by year end 2005. It will include state-of-the-art passenger facilities such as aerobridges (initially 14), security and flight information systems, a retail centre and high amenity public and airline lounges. The two-storey terminal building will also include a mezzanine level and will see international passenger arrivals split over two levels to ensure minimal congestion. It also will have elevated roadways incorporating expanded taxi ranks and bus facilities. www.aal.com.au

NEW SELF DRIVE PACKAGES FOR THE GREAT SOUTHERN TOURING ROUTE Self-drive travellers wishing to experience the Great Southern Touring Route between Adelaide and Melbourne can now choose from a range of pre-packaged itineraries with coastal, wine or history themes, as well as accommodation and sightseeing. Suggested trips, which take between five and eight days, can be individually tailored. The touring route highlights 10 regions from both Victoria and South Australia including the Limestone Coast, Fleurieu Peninsula, Murraylands, Kangaroo Island and the Adelaide Hills. This self-drive program has been developed by the South Australian Tourism Commission, Tourism Victoria, regional partners and wholesale travel company TravelLink Australia (part of the Kangaroo Island SeaLink group). www.travellink.com.au

GREAT WESTERN AIRLINES ARRIVES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA Operating in South Australia for the first time, Great Western Airlines has begun daily flights to both Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln. Originating in Perth in 1986, Great Western initially specialised in executive and crew change mine charters before expanding into the resource and exploration industries in government and corporate sectors. Its pressurised Beech 1900 twin prop-jet aircraft comfortably carry 19 passengers and two crew and are fast and efficient. New tour packages are being considered for the future as are further South Australian destinations. www.gwairlines.com.au

For further information about South Australia, log on to: www.southaustralia.com.

-ENDS-

For further information, contact Jovanka Ristich, Independent Public Relations, tel: 01628 623003 fax 01628 635563 email: ristichj@aol.com