It’s awards season in South Australia, and while the trophies are coming thick and fast, there’s no shortage of regional operators in the winners’ circle
From a much-loved seafood festival making a comeback to a legendary outback pub celebrating 35 years under the same ownership, regional South Australia had plenty to celebrate at the 2026 South Australian Tourism Awards on Friday night.
Hosted by the Tourism Industry Council South Australia (TiCSA) at Morphettville Racecourse, the awards recognised some of the state’s best tourism experiences, attractions, accommodation and the people behind them.
And while the city took home its share of silverware, we’re particularly interested in the country operators putting their towns on the map.
Tunarama’s Comeback is a Golden One
There’s nothing quite like a comeback story, especially one involving flying tuna.
Port Lincoln’s iconic Tunarama Festival took home Gold in the Festivals & Events category after returning to the foreshore in January.
First held in 1962, the festival is famous for celebrating the Eyre Peninsula’s seafood industry, including its rather unusual World Championship Tuna Toss.
After a two-year hiatus the festival was revived through council and community efforts, making its Gold award an especially sweet result.
TiCSA Chief Executive Officer Daisy Miller said the win demonstrated what communities could achieve when they got behind tourism.
“To bring a much-loved festival back after two years and achieve Gold is something everyone involved should be proud of,” she said.
Thirty-five Years at the Prairie Hotel
Few people have done more to put a tiny outback town on the tourism map than Jane and Ross Fargher.
The couple received the Outstanding Contribution award, recognising more than three decades of transforming the Prairie Hotel at Parachilna into an internationally recognised destination.
Fargher was a fourth generation Flinders Ranges farmer when he and Jane decided to buy their local pub in 1991, and 35 years later, it’s become a destination in its own right.
Known for its distinctive outback hospitality and innovative use of native ingredients, the Prairie has helped introduce visitors from around the world to the Flinders Ranges.
The Farghers have also played an important role in the preservation and promotion of the internationally significant Ediacaran fossil beds at Nilpena.
Monarto Takes Home a Swag of Awards
Monarto Safari Park had a particularly successful night, claiming Gold for Major Tourist Attractions and the People’s Choice Award for Experience or Service.
Its neighbouring Monarto Safari Resort also collected the People’s Choice Award for Accommodation.
The wins follow a period of major expansion, including the opening of the resort in 2025, the Safari Lodge in April 2026 and the new Elephants of Asia precinct in July.
Zoos SA’s Lauren Schroeder was also recognised with the Young Achiever award.
More regional operators in the spotlight
And there were plenty of other regional names worth celebrating.
- Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society – Gold for Tourist Attractions, recognising the volunteer-run heritage railway in the Flinders Ranges.
- Wadna, Flinders Ranges – Gold for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences.
- Whyalla Visitor Centre – Gold for Visitor Information Services.
- Minlaton Caravan Park – Gold for Caravan & Holiday Parks.
- Henders House at Almerta Station – Gold for Hosted Accommodation.
- Mount Little Station – Gold for Unique Accommodation.
- Kies Family Wines, Barossa Valley – Gold for Tourism Wineries.
- Monkey Nut Café, Barossa Valley – Gold for Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services.
- Anita Robin, Goolwa – Gold for Excellence in Food Tourism.
- Jurlique Farm, Adelaide Hills – Gold for Ecotourism.
Old Coach Road Estate, on the Fleurieu Peninsula, also entered the Tourism Awards Hall of Fame after winning Gold for Self-Contained Accommodation for the third consecutive year.
Adelaide’s Oval Hotel joined it in the Hall of Fame, while Illuminate Adelaide collected two Gold awards, including Excellence in Accessible Tourism.
A Win That Goes Beyond the Trophy
While the awards recognise individual operators, their success can have a much bigger impact on regional communities.
Visitors coming to see an attraction or attend a festival often spend money at local cafés, accommodation providers, shops and other businesses along the way.
“Their success reaches beyond their own front doors. It supports local jobs and brings customers into other businesses, particularly in regional communities,” said Daisy Miller.
And with everything from outback station stays to historic railways, wildlife encounters and good old-fashioned country hospitality on offer, there’s certainly no shortage of reasons to explore regional SA.
See the full list of Gold, Silver and Bronze winners at the 2026 South Australian Tourism Awards website.
