Yorke Peninsula
Two hours from Adelaide, Yorke Peninsula has long been a popular seaside holiday destination for Adelaide families. There is a good range of accommodation in its coastal town, ranging from quaint cottages to modern motels.
For conference delegates, Yorke Peninsula offers a satisfying diversity, with three distinct touring themes: history, dry land farming and the everywhere present ocean.
In the north of the peninsula, three towns owe their Cornish cultural heritage to a copper-mining boom in the 1800s. The fascinating history of that era is told at the ruins of Moonta Mines include a chance to don a hard hat and venture underground.
The Peninsula's crop-farming hinterland was a centre of agricultural innovation in the pioneering days, and this farming heritage is the theme of the new National Dry Land Farming Centre.
Fields of grain stretch down to the ocean, never far away on this boot-shaped strip of land. Yorke Peninsula is renowned for fishing and the best, fresh choice for dinner will always be the fish of the day. Whiting, garfish, oysters are great local delicacies.
Conference participants interested in fishing boat charters should head for the coastal towns of Yorke Peninsula where the charter operators know all the top fishing spots. Divers and snorkellers can hunt for scallops, rock lobster and abalone and there's a bonus for scuba divers: two underwater Maritime Heritage Trails to a shipwreck site.
It's worth the trip to the Yorke Peninsula just to visit Innes National Park at the tip of the Peninsula. From May to October, Southern Right Whales are often sighted, in spring a profusion of wildflowers. This is magnificent coastal scenery, some of the best in Australia, with towering cliffs and the swells of the Southern Ocean pounding on the rocks below.
Yorke Peninsula Tourism Marketing
Web: www.yorkepeninsula.com.au
Fleurieu Peninsula
From the fringes of Adelaide, south to Cape Jervis (two hours from Adelaide), Fleurieu Peninsula takes in the famous McLaren Vale wine region, spectacular southern beaches and the seaside resort towns of Victor Harbor, Port Elliot and Goolwa.
With its proximity to Adelaide, this is a natural destination for convention day tours - the return trip itself features astounding coastal panoramas.
One sure-fire success is a cellar door tour taking in some of McLaren Vale's 45 wineries. The McLaren Vale district also offers a number of exceptional special event venues, and the region's restaurants present menus of fine local cuisine highlighting fresh produce and seafood - along with superb wine lists. Pre and post conference touring opportunities include marine activities such as fishing, sailing and surfing, as well as bushwalking and cliff-top walks, Coorong cruises, observing fairy penguins on Granite Island and, in the coolers months, whale-watching.
A number of Fleurieu Peninsula venues can host fully serviced medium-sized conferences and many more can comfortably handle smaller meetings.
Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism
Web: www.fleurieupeninsula.com.au
Adelaide Hills
Only 20 minutes from the centre of Adelaide, this is one of South Australia's most picturesque locations. It is also a region of pleasing diversity and productivity.
The mountains of the Mount Lofty Ranges are the city's scenic backdrop - with a climate some degrees cooler than Adelaide's. Rolling hillside vineyards produce the region's famous cool climate wines; the lush farming land grows fruit and vegetables for the Adelaide market. The Adelaide Hills regions is also famous for beautiful gardens and the glories of autumn colour and spring blossom.
A charming contrast to the metropolis below, with its winding roads and hidden villages, this region is an ideal short tour destination for conferences based in Adelaide. The town of Hahndorf, its German heritage very much on show, is able to entertain and cater for large groups. Two excellent wildlife sanctuaries, Cleland Wildlife Park and Warrawong Sanctuary, offer an unforgettable close encounter with Australian wildlife such as kangaroos and koalas, and a chance to view rare and endangered species.
The region offers boutique accommodation including romantic B&B hideaways and luxurious small hotels. There are numerous venues suitable for meetings, conference dinners and special events.
Adelaide Hills Tourism Marketing
Web: www.visitadelaidehills.com.au
Barossa
The Barossa, just over an hour from Adelaide, is Australia's most famous wine district. This picturesque region of rolling hills latticed by vineyards is known as much for its interesting Germanic heritage and charming style as it is for its fine vintages.
Wine Tourism is a way of life in the Barossa, with about 60 wineries, stylish restaurants and the Barossa Wine and Visitor Centre in Tanunda. Another drawcard is its Lutheran legacy - the many imposing churches built in the 1800s provide the Barossa with its European character. Other recreational and shopping opportunities include walking and cycling and browsing through numerous antique art and craft shops.
The Barossa makes an excellent day tour destination for delegates based in Adelaide - providing visitors the opportunity to sample premium wines, dine in fine restaurants, magnificent old churches, wineries and cottages all in a peaceful rural setting.
Conferences may also choose to be based entirely in the Barossa - it is a popular destination for incentives and meetings. The Barossa's modern meeting facilities can hold up to 900 delegates in a plenary session. There are also many unique venues, ideal for memorable events and functions. Catering for large groups is one of the Barossa's strengths, making the most of the region's fine wine and distinct local cuisine.
Barossa Wine & Tourism
Web: www.barossa.com
Flinders Ranges & Outback
The legendary Australian Outback starts only a morning's drive north from the city of Adelaide. A frontier of magnificent harsh beauty and far horizons, this region has enormous appeal for conference delegates who have organised their itinerary to allow time for pre or post touring. Specialist tour operators run 4WD safaris and self-drive tag-alongs as well as bushwalking and camping tours.
A focus on Aboriginal cultural heritage is an interesting focus for touring in this region. For a quick escape in the cooler months, bushwalking in the Flinders Ranges offers a sense of this ancient landscape, and there are wilderness resorts at Wilpena Pound and Arkaroola.
The underground opal-mining town of Coober Pedy is a colourful and unusual destination that makes a good base for exploring the desert or taking a scenic slight over the vast salt expanse of Lake Eyre. Accommodation in Coober Pedy includes a unique underground hotel.
Flinders Ranges & Outback
Web: www.flinders.outback.on.net
Kangaroo Island
The setting for one of the world's most intense wilderness experiences, Kangaroo Island is only a 30-minute flight or a three-hour bus/self-drive plus ferry trip from Adelaide.
In complete isolation, this is a diverse ecosystem of birds, native animals and flora. With one-third of the island reserved as national park, serious travellers worldwide recommend "KI" as the place to see Australian wildlife in a natural habitat: kangaroos, koalas, possums, seals, penguins, goannas and many other species abound. At Seal Bay, home of KI's famous sea-lion colony, 500 of these majestic creatures bask in the sun.
This natural sanctuary is also a place of outstanding natural beauty with its dramatic rocky coastline, fragrant eucalypt forests and sheltered sandy beaches.
Escorted tours range from day-trips to specialist eco excursions with expert guides. Kangaroo Island has a growing reputation as a source of natural and specialist food products, and tasting local fare such as cheeses, Ligurian Bee honey, King George whiting, marron and free range poultry is a must for most tours. Active adventures include swimming, diving and fishing. There is a wide choice of accommodation, luxury retreats to cabins and motels, and car hire is available.
Tourism Kangaroo Island
Web: www.tourkangarooisland.com.au
Murraylands
Only an hour from Adelaide, this region extends east from the Murraylands - the southern reaches of the Murray River - to the Mallee, a classic Australian landscape. The Murray's large paddlewheelers, with day cruise passenger capacity for more than 80, offer an unusual and memorable conference social highlight and also work well for pre or post conference optional tours. For smaller meetings, a Murray paddlewheeler can function well as a floating conference venue. For subcommittee meetings, a luxury houseboat may be the answer; uninterrupted views and equally important uninterrupted concentration.
Post conference, independent-minded delegates can take off in their own cars to explore the region's conservation parks, to go river fishing, bushwalking and wetlands bird-watching or take advantage of the region's other active recreational opportunities such as water sports, boating and golf or they may wish to simply wind down and enjoy the slower pace of river towns and friendly, authentic country hospitality.
The Murraylands' strong appeal is based on unpretentious but memorable experiences; a picnic on the riverbank; an unhurried evening at a riverside restaurant, where the constantly changing river view complements the cuisine; wide-open spaces and straight roads in the Mallee; flocks of Coorong pelicans.
Murraylands Tourism Marketing
Web: www.murraylands.info
Riverland
For 300 kilometres Australia's greatest river, the Murray, flows through South Australia's Riverland, a two-hour drive from Adelaide and a strikingly scenic landscape of citrus orchards, vineyards, steep cliffs and red gums.
The region offers a variety of pre and post touring, and incentive holiday options include world-class golf courses, river cruises, wine tasting and eco-tours.
The Riverland can also support complete conventions with fully supported conference venues overlooking the spectacular Murray River. Multi-award winning hotels provide conference facilities with all modern audiovisual systems, as well as luxury accommodation. Transport, catering and theatre are also available.
The region offers a diverse range of accommodation styles from cottages to historic bed and breakfast. One novel accommodation choice is a fully appointed houseboat, which can double as transport to and from conference venues.
Importantly, the Riverland has a relaxed but productive way of life. Hosting a business event in the Riverland means delegates will meet in a quiet, serene environment free from external disturbances.
Riverland Tourism Association
Web: www.riverland.info
Eyre Peninsula
Delegates looking for Australia's big picture of Australia will be attracted to rugged, unspoilt Eyre Peninsula. By air, it's only 45 minutes from Adelaide. Frequent departures simplify itinerary scheduling, with car hire and tour operators on hand in Port Lincoln.
With a spectacular wilderness coastline and the remote desert landscapes of the Nullarbor Plain, this makes a great road journey for adventurers - for conference delegates, one good option is to book a 4WD safari.
Highlights of an escape to Eyre Peninsula in warmer months include swimming with sea lions and dolphins, or setting sail for outlying islands. In cooler months, there's whale watching from the Bunda cliffs overlooking the Great Australian Bight.
With first class fishing all year-round, many boat charter operators specialise in fishing trips, as well as scenic cruises.
Tourism Eyre Peninsula
Web: www.epta.com.au
Clare
Only an hour-and-a-half drive from Adelaide, picturesque Clare Valley combines the civilised pleasures of world-class wine and dining with the charm of heritage towns and the scenic appeal of vineyards and bushland.
As one of the world's premium, wine-growing regions, Clare Valley has long been a popular pre and post-day-trip option for conventions based in Adelaide. More recently the region has become a complete convention destination in its own right, with more than 1,400 beds within a 20-minute country drive.
Clare's conference facilities are impressive, ranging from small, intimate venues in century-old stone buildings to larger fully equipped, purpose built centres.
Cellar door touring is the obvious social activity, ideally suited for promoting easy mixing among delegates. Tasting and discussing fine wine in charming surrounds heightens the entire conference experience for participants.
Pre and post conference, Clare Valley also has much to offer, including one of South Australia's best country golf courses. For unwinding after an intense few days, nothing surpasses fresh air and exercise. The 27 kilometre Riesling Trail, for cyclists and walkers, was built on the old railway line between Clare and Auburn, and links villages and wineries of the wine region.
Nearby Burra, a copper-mining boomtown of the 19th century that retains many significant stone buildings, is a contrasting tour option, with its mining heritage and antique shops. Conference kits to assist with planning are available.
Clare Valley Tourism Marketing
Web: www.clarevalley.com.au
