South Australia highlights this month include a new luxury camp in the Flinders Ranges, a new farm stay in the Barossa, amazing wildlife encounters at sea, dates for Tasting Australia 2014 and the chance to win a holiday to South Australia.

• IKARA, A NEW LUXURY SAFARI CAMP IN THE FLINDERS RANGES
• RETURN OF DINING ICON, MAGILL ESTATE RESTAURANT
• BAROSSA FARM COTTAGE, A NEW FOUR-STAR FARM STAY
• NEW TOUR FROM KANGAROO ISLAND OCEAN SAFARIS
• SEE THE FLINDERS ON FOOT
• WHAT’S YOUR STORY? SOUTH AUSTRALIA ON YOUTUBE
• TASTING AUSTRALIA 2014 DATES ANNOUNCED
• ADELAIDE OVAL TO HOST CRICKET BLOCKBUSTER
• STRONG TAKE OFF FOR EMIRATES FLIGHTS
• WIN A HOLIDAY TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA

IKARA, A NEW LUXURY SAFARI CAMP IN THE FLINDERS RANGES – This African savannah-style experience comes with the construction of an AUD$1.4 million luxury safari tent camp, scheduled to open this month. Guests will be able to experience outback camping with a few of life’s luxuries included. The camp, part of Wilpena Pound Resort from the Anthology portfolio, will feature 15 safari tents with en-suites and king-size beds, a dining area, bar and fire pit.

RETURN OF DINING ICON, MAGILL ESTATE RESTAURANT – This popular and iconic dining venue reopened on 28 August after being closed for two years for extensive renovations. The reopening brings with it a new executive chef, Scott Huggins who hails from Melbourne bringing 15 years' experience at several high-end destinations and Michelin-starred restaurants around the globe. Located at the spiritual home of Penfolds in the Adelaide foothills, the restaurant is situated adjacent to the Magill Estate vineyard, winery and cellars. Diners can look forward to contemporary food, an extensive collection of Penfolds wines, exemplary service and stunning views.

BAROSSA FARM COTTAGE, A NEW FOUR-STAR FARM STAY, offers an authentic Australia farm life authentic experience, ideal for families. Foodies are also catered for with ‘paddock to plate’ experience. This two-bedroom property, furnished by local artist and furniture maker Peter Hart, offers complimentary farm and vineyard tours and the chance for guests to cook with produce from the farm.

NEW TOUR FROM KANGAROO ISLAND OCEAN SAFARIS offers visitors the chance to take to the water to spot pods of dolphins and their calves, colonies of New Zealand fur seals and Australian sea lions. The family-run tour company is offering 75-minute coastal and wildlife tours on a seven-and-a-half metre Gemini Waverider. Tours depart Christmas Cove Marina at Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island, visiting Dolphin Cove, Kangaroo Head and Snapper Point.

SEE THE FLINDERS ON FOOT with Rawnsley Park Station who have launched a special Flinders Weekend Walks package for visitors short on time. A shorter version of their popular three and five-day guided walks, the weekend package is ideal for people wanting to experience the Flinders’ magnificent scenery and wildlife on foot, but who have limited time in the region. The package includes two nights’ accommodation in a luxury eco-villa, dinner on Friday and Saturday night in the Woolshed Restaurant, guided walks over two days, breakfast, morning tea and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, and late checkout on Sunday.

WHAT’S YOUR STORY? SOUTH AUSTRALIA ON YOUTUBE - The heart-felt experiences of an international traveller in South Australia have been captured on video and are now being shown on YouTube in an unexpected twist. The video, titled ‘What’s your story? South Australia’ and directed by Gregg Bleakney, features a Guatemalan named Mari. She has been travelling the world for three years and found that South Australia had a rugged appeal where she could feel close to nature.

‘What’s your story? South Australia’ captures the voice and thoughts of authentic travellers instead of paid actors or models. The short film highlights the natural beauty of the state captured through every day adventurers. ‘What’s your story? South Australia’ is the first of several video brochures to be produced by Gregg Bleakney Visual Storytelling.
 

TASTING AUSTRALIA 2014 DATES ANNOUNCED - Australia’s premier culinary festival will return from 27th April – 4th May 2014 with events throughout Adelaide and across the region. The festival will feature eight days of activities including four headline events for die-hard foodies and a range of events for the wider public. Renowned South Australian chef, Simon Bryant, and wine expert, Paul Henry, will head up the creative team and are joined by food icon Maggie Beer as the festival patron.
 

ADELAIDE OVAL TO HOST CRICKET BLOCKBUSTER - It has been announced that Adelaide will host the biggest game in limited overs cricket as part of its schedule for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. India will play the opening match in the tournament in Adelaide against traditional rivals Pakistan on Sunday 15 February. The last time these two sides played against each other during the ICC Champions Trophy in the UK in June, the game drew an estimated international viewing audience of one billion people and tickets to the match sold out in under three hours.

The schedule also guarantees that Adelaide will host a quarter final of the tournament featuring Australia, should they make the knockout stage. The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will be held from 14 February – 28 March.

STRONG TAKE OFF FOR EMIRATES FLIGHTS as the airline confirmed bookings for its Adelaide flights have exceeded expectations since the introduction of a daily service six months ago. Passenger loads are running almost a third above budget. The Dubai-based airline started flying out of Adelaide four times a week in November 2012 and moved to daily services in February. It carried more than 48,000 outbound passengers and almost 37,000 inbound from January to June.

AND FINALLY...WIN A HOLIDAY TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA! - The South Australian Tourism Commission has teamed up with Digital Spring offering a competition to win a bird watching holiday for two to South Australia. The winner will also receive a pair of Swarovski Optik EL32 binoculars.

For further information & images, input for fact boxes & round ups, to discuss media visits & feature ideas please contact Jovanka Ristich on +44 (0) 1628 630 965 or Jovanka@ipr-online.co.uk