South Australia’s best tourism businesses revealed at 2024 SA Tourism Awards
South Australia’s finest tourism operators have been celebrated at the 2024 South Australian Tourism Awards Gala Dinner, highlighting the industry’s innovation and commitment to delivering world-class visitor experiences. The winner’s list reinforces just how much regional SA has to offer, with a huge contingent of exciting businesses from across the state taking out big awards.
Hosted by the Tourism Industry Council of South Australia, over 30 categories recognised the state’s most exceptional businesses, with more than half of the winners from small and medium-sized enterprises, showcasing the significant role local businesses play in driving South Australia’s tourism industry.
The People’s Choice Awards, voted by the public, were awarded to Monarto Safari Park for Tourism Experiences/Services and BIG4 West Beach Parks Accommodation.
The evening also saw special recognition for long-standing contributors to the industry, with Kool Tours joining the prestigious Hall of Fame after achieving three consecutive wins in its category.
The Aboriginal-owned and operated tourism company is a leader in the industry, authentically showcasing South Australia’s Aboriginal cultural heritage and contributing to the diversity and depth of the state’s tourism landscape.
The team from Bendleby Ranges pulled off their fourth win for the best adventure experience in the Southern Flinders Ranges.
Shaun de Bruyn, Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Industry Council South Australia (TiCSA) said each of this year’s winners represents the spirit and commitment that make our state an incredible destination.
“From small family enterprises to large corporations, the focus by the people driving these businesses on delivering outstanding visitor experiences and upholding high standards as responsible tourism operators, is truly inspiring,” she said.
The winners of the 2024 South Australian Tourism Awards will go onto represent the state at the Australian Tourism Awards, which will be held in Adelaide in March 2025. Hosting the 40th anniversary of the national industry event will further showcase South Australia to leading industry delegates.
Congratulations to the following award winners –
Major Tourist Attractions – Supported by Big Red Group
Winner – Monarto Safari Park (Murray River, Lakes and Coorong)
Silver – Adelaide Festival Centre (Adelaide)
Bronze – Adelaide Botanic Garden (Adelaide)
Tourist Attractions – Supported by RAA Travel
Winner – d’Arenberg (Fleurieu Peninsula)
Silver – Adelaide Gaol (Adelaide)
Bronze – MOD. (Adelaide)
Major Festivals & Events – Supported by Festival City Adelaide
Winner – Adelaide Festival (Adelaide)
Silver – Illuminate Adelaide (Adelaide)
Bronze – WOMADelaide (Adelaide)
Festivals & Events – Supported by Festival City Adelaide
Winner – Sleep’s Hill Tunnel (Adelaide)
Silver – 2024 Glenelg Ice Cream Festival (Adelaide)
Bronze – 2024 Let’s Go Caravan, Camping and Outdoor Show (Adelaide)
Ecotourism – Supported by the South Australian Tourism Commission
Winner – The Big Duck Boat Tours (Fleurieu Peninsula)
Silver – Nilpena Ediacara National Park (Flinders Ranges & Outback)
Cultural Tourism – Supported by the South Australian Tourism Commission
Winner – Adelaide Zoo (Adelaide)
Silver – Flamboyance Tours (Adelaide)
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island Tourism – Supported by the South Australian Tourism Commission
Hall of Fame – Kool Tours (Kangaroo Island, Fleurieu Peninsula)
Tourism Retail, Hire & Services – Supported by Tourism Industry Council SA
Winner – Copper Trails Bike Hire (Yorke Peninsula)
Silver – Adelaide Central Market (Adelaide)
Bronze – Bike About Mountain Bike Tours & Hire pty ltd (Adelaide Hills)
Visitor Information Services – Supported by Local Government Association of SA
Winner – Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre (Eyre Peninsula)
Silver – Clare Valley Wine, Food and Tourism Centre (Clare Valley)
Bronze – Port Pirie Visitor Information Centre (Flinders Ranges & Outback)
Business Event Venues – Supported by Adelaide Airport
Winner – Adelaide Convention Centre (Adelaide)
Silver – Events at SkyCity (Adelaide)
Bronze – Adelaide Oval (Adelaide)
Major Tour & Transport Operators – Supported by RAA Travel
Winner – SeaLink Marine & Tourism – PS Murray Princess (Murray River, Lakes and Coorong)
Tour & Transport Operators – Supported by Gallagher
Winner – Spirit of the Coorong (Fleurieu Peninsula)
Silver – Juggle House Experiences (Murray River, Lakes and Coorong)
Bronze – Port River Cruises (Adelaide)
Adventure Tourism – Supported by Adelady
Winner – Bendleby Ranges (Flinders Ranges & Outback)
Silver – Woodhouse Adventure Park (Adelaide Hills)
Bronze – RoofClimb Adelaide Oval (Adelaide)
Tourism Marketing & Campaigns – Supported by Tourism Australia
Winner – Barossa. Be Curious (Barossa)
Silver – Station Stays SA Flinders Ranges & Outback (Flinders Ranges & Outback)
Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services – Supported by Restaurant and Catering Association of Australia
Winner – L’Anse French Café (Eyre Peninsula)
Silver – The Currant Shed (Fleurieu Peninsula)
Bronze – Watervale Hotel (Clare Valley)
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries – Supported by Altitude Advisory
Winner – Seppeltsfield Barossa (Barossa)
Silver – Pindarie Wines (Barossa)
Bronze – Dandelion Vineyards (Fleurieu Peninsula)
Caravan & Holiday Parks – Supported by Caravan & Camping SA
Winner – BIG4 West Beach Parks (Adelaide)
Hosted Accommodation – Supported by the South Australian Tourism Commission
Winner – Oceanview Eco Villas (Kangaroo Island)
Unique Accommodation – Supported by Tourism Australia
Winner – Woodhouse Adventure Park (Adelaide Hills)
Silver – Mount Little Station (Flinders Ranges & Outback)
Bronze – Bukirk Glamping & Fancy Coops (Clare Valley)
Self Contained Accommodation – Supported by Bank SA
Winner – Old Coach Road Estate (Fleurieu Peninsula)
Silver – Neagles Retreat Villas (Clare Valley)
Bronze – ‘THE CHURCH’ Gawler Barossa Region (Barossa)
3-3.35 Star Accommodation – Supported by Wallmans Lawyers
Winner – ibis Adelaide (Adelaide)
4-4.5 Star Accommodation – Supported by Accommodation Australia (SA) and the Australian Hotels Association (SA Branch)
Winner – Oval Hotel (Adelaide)
Silver – Beach Huts Middleton (Fleurieu Peninsula)
Bronze – Atura Hotel Adelaide Airport (Adelaide)
5 Star Luxury Accommodation – Supported by Accommodation Australia (SA) and the Australian Hotels Association (SA Branch)
Winner – Eos by SkyCity (Adelaide)
Silver – Le Mas Barossa (Barossa)
Bronze – Mount Lofty House (Adelaide Hills)
New Tourism Business – Supported by the South Australian Tourism Commission
Winner – Radelaide Tours (Adelaide)
Silver – Little Blessings Brewing (Flinders Ranges & Outback)
Bronze – Pod[e] (Eyre Peninsula)
Excellence in Food Tourism – Supported by RAA Travel
Winner – Watervale – Ethical Epicurean Experiences (Clare Valley)
Silver – Adelaide Showground Farmers’ Market (Adelaide)
Bronze – Anita Robin, The Foodbuilder (Fleurieu Peninsula)
Excellence in Accessible Tourism – Supported by Office for Autism
Winner – Adelaide Fringe (Statewide)
Silver – Adelaide Zoo (Adelaide)
Bronze – Kimbolton Wines (Fleurieu Peninsula)
Outstanding Contribution – Supported by Tourism Industry Council SA
Winner – Elaine Bensted
Young Achiever – Supported by SeaLink
Winner – Taylah Lochert
People’s Choice Tourism Award – Experience & Service – Supported by Uber
Winner – Monarto Safari Park (Murray River, Lakes and Coorong)
