NEW TOURS & TOUR OPERATOR NEWS

TOURS TO TANTALISE THE TASTEBUDS Susie�s Boutique Tours offers a range of personalised excursions in Adelaide and the surrounding areas, including the Fleurieu Peninsula, Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley. In the city, she brings to life the history of the Adelaide Markets, which date back to 1869. Half-day food and wine tours take in the multicultural delicacies at the markets and conclude with a visit to the National Wine Centre. www.susiestours.com.au.

HOT AIR BALLOONING OVER ADELAIDE Visitors to South Australia�s capital can view neighbouring areas from on high with Adelaide Ballooning, which is offering rides above McLaren Vale, surrounded by more than 40 vineyards, the Fleurieu Peninsula town of Strathalbyn, and the open-range zoo at Monarto. www.adelaideballooning.com.au.

NEW PRE-GHAN WALKING TOUR OF ADELAIDE Tourabout Adelaide has introduced a new walking tour of the city, specifically designed for passengers about to embark on The Ghan. �On Track For The Ghan� gives travellers an insight into the lifestyles of the pioneers, indigenous land owners, early explorers, cameleers, missionaries and miners who opened up the Outback, and about whom they will hear more during their great rail journey. The 1.5-hour walking tour takes in the Pioneer Women�s Garden, the North Terrace Plaques, the Art Gallery of South Australia and the South Australian Museum. www.touraboutadelaide.com.au. NEW CAMEL EXPEDITIONS Blue Sky Camel Charters, which operates a selection of excursions by one-humped dromedary camels �From the Bush to the Beach�, is now offering nature-based itineraries, including safaris through Monarto Zoological Park, and luxury camel touring packages incorporating quality wine and cuisine at Currency Creek Vineyards. www.blueskycamelcharters.com.au BAROSSA CLASSIC CYCLE TOURS Ancient landscapes, vineyards, valleys, picturesque scenery, river wetlands, gorges and ranges, are just some of the attractions awaiting visitors who participate in a Barossa Classic Cycle tour. Packages include the services of a knowledgeable tour guide, support vehicles, overnight accommodation in the best resorts in each area, plus delicious food and regional wine. New for 2005 is the Red Ochre to Red Wine Tour, scheduled to take place in March. www.bccycletours.com.au NEW OUTBACK TOURING ITINERARY In conjunction with Ayers Rock Scenic Flights, Big Blue Air Touring has introduced a new three-day itinerary taking in Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the Outback, including a complimentary sunset or sunrise flight over the great monolith or the neighbouring Kata-Tjuta (Olgas). Highlights include travelling to Oodnadatta for lunch at the Pink Roadhouse, flying over the saltbeds of Lake Eyre, a night under the stars in the town of Parachilna, population seven, and a trip to Portee Station, situated on the floodplains of the Murray River, followed by a guided tour of Barossa Valley wineries. www.bigblueairtouring.com

OUTBIKE ACROSS THE OUTBACK Travellers who like to incorporate a challenging adventure into their holidays, may wish to consider Wayward Bus Touring Company�s Outbike 14-day, 900kms tour from Alice Springs to Coober Pedy. Crossing the Simpson Desert to Dalhousie Hot Springs and along dusty terrain to Oodnadatta, the trip requires participants to have a certain level of fitness, in order to endure cycling 100kms in a day on sealed roads. Highlights of the trip include spectacular escarpment country, the contrasting forested landscape covering the Finke River flood plain, and the hot spa oasis of Dalhousie. Prices include support vehicles, 13 nights� camping, one night at an underground bunkhouse, plus all meals. www.waywardbus.com.au.

TRAVEL NEWS

GHAN TO OPERATE TWICE WEEKLY BETWEEN ADELAIDE AND DARWIN The Ghan will operate return services between Adelaide and Darwin twice a week during the peak season of May, June and July 2005. Travellers on The Ghan may now also break their journey with a stopover in Coober Pedy, disembarking at Manguri siding and then connecting with the next train. The opal-mining town of Coober Pedy is famous for its underground lifestyle, with subterranean hotels, restaurants, shops and churches among the attractions, as well as the mines which put it on the map and which operate tours for interested visitors.

JETSTAR LAUNCHES FLIGHTS FROM ADELAIDE IN FEBRUARY 05 Jetstar will operate flights from Adelaide Airport, beginning 1st February 2005. The low-fare airline�s initial routes will include direct daily flights to the Gold Coast, Hobart and Melbourne�s Avalon Airport. In total, 21 Jetstar flights, with a total of 2,625 seats, will take off from Adelaide airport weekly. The announcement follows the introduction of 15 extra Virgin Blue flights from Adelaide in November, including the inaugural route to Hobart, and the start, in December, of Qantas� first direct flight from Adelaide to Auckland.

ACCOMMODATION & DINING

STAMFORD HOTELS AND RESORTS INVEST IN ADELAIDE REFURBISHMENT The Stamford Plaza Adelaide and the Stamford Grand Adelaide have both been refurbished following a two-year, A$10 million dollar investment. The Stamford Grand has refurbished 98 luxury rooms, public area as well as the business centre, whilst the Stamford Plaza has introduced two new levels of accommodation, Deluxe and Executive, refurbished 234 guest rooms and upgraded its Terrace Garden Restaurant and Bar 107. Guests staying in Executive accommodation are given access to the Executive Lounge where full secretarial support, together with complimentary breakfasts and evening canap�s are provided. Chauffeured limousine transfers to and from the airport are also available at a price equivalent to a taxi journey. www.stamford.com.au

A COTTAGE IN THE CITY Four and half-star Athelney Cottage nestles amongst some of Adelaide�s oldest trees and provides French provincial style b&b accommodation in the heart of Hackney, close to shops, restaurants, caf�s, theatres, museums, and the Adelaide Botanic Garden. www.athelneycottage.com.au

JAPANESE STYLE B&B SUITS VISITORS WITH DISABILITIES Tsuchi No Yado, a Japanese style b&b situated in the historical township of Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills, is fully designed to cater for wheelchair users, as well as restricted sight or hearing impaired visitors. The wide entrances and doorways, spacious rooms and additional bathroom facilities, make it a relaxing retreat for carers, visitors with disabilities and able-bodied holidaymakers.

NEW LUXURY HOUSEBOAT ON THE MURRAY RIVER Aurora Houseboats is offering new, luxury accommodation in a 10-12 berth �Astra Nova� boat moored on the Murray River at Mannum, approximately 80 kms from Adelaide. Features include a heated 10-person spa and shaded canopy on the deck, reverse cycle air-conditioning/heating, satellite television with 14 channels, DVD/CD players, and a fully-equipped cocktail bar. A current car or boat licence is required by those wishing to captain a houseboat. www.aurorahouseboats.com.au. An alternative for large groups is the Kia Mist Houseboat, also moored at Mannum, which offers a spacious, well-equipped kitchen, large entertainment areas, five bedrooms, two bathrooms and expansive decks.

UPMARKET CAMPING IN THE GAWLER RANGES Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris now has three new, luxury tents at its Kangaluna Camp, complete with dining area, in a beautiful bush setting on the edge of one of South Australia�s most picturesque national parks on the Eyre Peninsula. The 7x5 meter tents each have two rooms, one queen size and two single beds, plus private shower and toilet facilities. www.gawlerrangessafaris.com.

CLARE VALLEY WELCOMES NEW RESTAURANT Well known as a place in which to indulge in good food and wine, the town of Clare in the Clare Valley has a new restaurant, Citadel 5453. Located in the beautifully renovated Salvation Army Citadel on the main street, the restaurant offers good prices and quality Mediterranean cuisine. The building has been converted with style and panache to create a charming restaurant, run by Billy and Bree Bain, formerly of Caf� Bravo.

OTHER NEWS

ADELAIDE OFFERS ASSISTANCE TO TOURISTS Adelaide City Council�s �Ask About Adelaide� programme features volunteers dressed in distinctive green uniforms who provide assistance, advice and directions to visitors in the town centre and airport. www.adelaide.sa.gov.au . Adelaide also offers a complimentary �Adelaide Greeters� service, providing daily half-day orientation city tours, including the public transport system and major attractions. www.adelaidegreeters.asn.au.

BEACH BOYS TO PLAY AT BAROSSA UNDER THE STARS � 19 February 2005 Barossa Under the Stars, the musical event now in its eighth year, will be headlined by the legendary Beach Boys on Saturday February 19th 2005.

WOMADELAIDE � 4 to 6 March 2005 Now in its ninth year, the WOMADelaide festival will feature more than 300 of the world�s most eminent artists who will take to six stages at the Botanic Park Adelaide in March. The festival will feature diverse acts including centuries old classical vocal music of India from Rashid Khan, vibrant African hip hop of Senegal�s newest sensation Daara J and the powerful, political reggae of the Ivory Coast�s Alpha Blondy. Off-stage, there will be a multitude of activities around the festival site, such as free workshops, a roving artist programme, Kidzone, more than 100 exotic market stalls, and visual arts. www.womadelaide.com.au

BAROSSA VINTAGE FESTIVAL � 28 March to 3 April 2005 The biennial Barossa Vintage Festival is the largest, longest running wine event in Australia. From Easter Monday, the festival runs for a week throughout the region with attractions including big band, jazz to contemporary rock music, heritage �hotspots� highlighting the Barossa�s history, craft stalls, markets, cooking schools, food demonstrations and tastings, art exhibitions, wine tours, tastings and symposiums, a parade of more than 100 floats and a Vintage Ball. www.barossa-region.org/vintagefestival

QUIRKY FACTS ABOUT THE HISTORIC CATTLE DRIVE! The Great Australian Cattle Drive will once again recreate the historic adventure of cattle herding along the 514 km Birdsville Track in an epic six-week cattle drive commencing in Birdsville on 30 April, finishing in Marree on 11 June 2005. The Drive involves some of Australia�s most famous and experienced drovers, 600 head of cattle, 120 horses and will offer international visitors the opportunity to take part in the adventure of a lifetime, reliving one of the world�s great cattle drives. www.cattledrive.southaustralia.com. But did you know? � The Simpson Desert is six times the size of Belgium (65,000 square metres) � 3,180 metres of canvas has been used to make the tents � 2,640 tent pegs will be used to hold down the tents � Cattle know which way the wind is blowing and always graze with their heads into the wind � 135,000 litres of water will be distributed through the nine tourist camps along the route � 140 lanterns, 315 table cloths and 2,160 towels will be used

NEW BROCHURE HIGHLIGHTS SOUTH AUSTRALIA�S BEST SHORT WALKS �Trails SA 40 Great South Australian Short Walks� is a new brochure launched to entice visitors to explore the State�s criss-crossing footpaths, starting from the centre of Adelaide out to the northern Flinders Ranges, the dramatic coastline and the rugged Outback. The selected walks, all under five hours, highlight areas of natural or cultural significance and range from a ramble through Adelaide�s Botanic Garden and the Torrens Linear Park Walk in the capital, to Black Swamp Walk at the Currency Creek Winery, near Goolwa, and the Alligator Gorge Hike through Mount Remarkable National Park in the Southern Flinders Ranges.

Useful websites highlighting walking opportunities include www.southaustraliantrails.com, featuring the Flinders Ranges famous Heysen Trail; www.parks.sa.gov.au; and www.ecotrek.com.au is recommended for guided walks. Exploranges Bush Walking Tours is another operator featuring guided tours of one day and longer. www.bushwalkingtours.com.au.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA CLAIMS BEST �BIG� ICON Since Australia is such a vast country, it stands to reason that big attractions are something of a cultural phenomenon. Throughout the country there are a number of larger than life attractions, including South Australia�s own Big Rock Lobster at Kingston on the Limestone Coast and the Big Orange in the Riverland, both of which stand as tall as a building. But the one to top them all and to officially take the title of Best Man-made, Oversized Attraction in the country, is South Australia�s The Big Rocking Horse. Located in the Adelaide Hills� town of Gumeracha, the Big Rocking Horse not only offers a huge photo opportunity and gives visitors the opportunity to climb up inside to enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding countryside, it now also features a toy factory, a wildlife park, children�s play corner and a caf�.

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, email ristichj@aol.com