Image Credit: Adelaide Botanic Gardens (Palm House)
South Australia’s premier tourism achievements were celebrated Friday night at the gala dinner for the 2025 South Australian Tourism Awards. The event spotlighted some of the best experiences and services in an industry crucial to the state’s economic prosperity, contributing nearly $10 billion annually.
The awards covered a broad spectrum of the tourism sector, showcasing 26 categories of exceptional quality and diverse tourism offerings from nature escapades to unique festivals and accommodations. These awards not only recognise outstanding achievement but also dedication to quality visitor experiences and business excellence.
A major highlight was the Adelaide Botanic Gardens’ dual win. The gardens secured the top spot in the Major Tourist Attraction category, additionally taking home Gold for Tourism Marketing & Campaigns for its “Chihuly in the Botanic Garden” exhibition. They also won the Bronze in Major Festivals & Events, further solidifying their standing as a key attraction.
Moreover, regional South Australia shone brightly, particularly the Eyre Peninsula’s Streaky Sounds Music Festival, which clinched Gold in the Festivals & Events category. Operators from the Fleurieu Peninsula dominated the Excellence in Food Tourism category, showcasing the rich culinary diversity of the region.
Significantly, this year saw 28 businesses making their first appearance as finalists, underlining the fresh talent and innovative spirit infusing South Australia’s tourism industry. Reflecting a commitment to sustainable and quality tourism, almost 90% of the award winners hold Quality & Sustainable Tourism Accreditation.
Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison remarked, “The diversity of winners at the 2025 South Australian Tourism Awards is a terrific demonstration of what makes the State a must-visit destination worldwide. The passion and dedication of everyone who is part of our visitor economy enables our state’s tourism sector to be the success it is.”
Shaun de Bruyn, CEO of Tourism Industry Council South Australia, echoed this sentiment by congratulating the winners for their continuous commitment to excellence. “These awards provide a platform to showcase the exceptional achievements, talent and innovation in South Australia’s tourism industry.”
Notable wins also included the Adelaide Fringe, recognised in Major Festivals & Events, along with other acclaimed sites such as d’Arenberg, which now enters the Hall of Fame for winning the Tourist Attractions category consecutively.
The winners from each category are now set to represent South Australia at the Australian Tourism Awards next year in Fremantle, Western Australia, promising further exposure and accolades for the state’s tourism industry on a national level.
For the website, click here.
2025 South Australian Tourism Awards, Winners List
Major Tourist Attractions
Gold: Adelaide Botanic Garden (Supported by Big Red Group)
Silver: Monarto Safari Park
Bronze: Adelaide Oval
Tourist Attractions
Gold: d’Arenberg – Hall of Fame (Supported by RAA Travel)
Silver: MOD.
Bronze: Victor Harbor Horse Tram
Major Festivals and Events
Gold: Adelaide Fringe (Supported by Festival City Adelaide)
Silver: Adelaide Festival
Bronze: Chihuly in the Botanic Garden
Festivals and Events
Gold: Streaky Sounds Musical Festival 2025 (Supported by Festival City Adelaide)
Silver: 2025 South Australian Wooden Boat Festival
Bronze: 2025 Glenelg Ice Cream Festival
Ecotourism
Gold: The Big Duck Boat Tours – Hall of Fame (Supported by South Australian Tourism Commission)
Silver: Jurlique Farm
Bronze: Coodlie Park Eco Retreat
Cultural Tourism
Gold: Flamboyance Tours (Supported by South Australian Tourism Commission)
Silver: Radelaide Tours
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences
Gold: Wadna (Supported by South Australian Tourism Commission)
Silver: Southern Cultural Immersion
Tourism Retail, Hire and Services
Gold: Copper Trails Bike Hire – Hall of Fame (Supported by Adelady and hello SA)
Silver: SA eBikes | McLaren Vale
Visitor Information Services
Gold: Whyalla Visitor Centre (Supported by Local Government Association of South Australia)
Silver: Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre
Business Event Venues
Gold: Adelaide Convention Centre (Supported by Adelaide Airport)
Silver: Adelaide Oval Functions and Events
Bronze: Events at SkyCity
Tour and Transport Operators
Gold: Spirit of the Coorong – Hall of Fame (Supported by Tourism Australia)
Silver: Barossa Helicopters
Bronze: Barossa Bespoke Tours
Adventure Tourism
Gold: Woodhouse Adventure Park (Supported by Flinders University)
Silver: Skytrek Willow Springs Station
Bronze: Adelaide Oval RoofClimb
Tourism Marketing and Campaigns
Gold: Chihuly in the Botanic Garden (Supported by Tourism Australia)
Silver: Kimba – A Community to Shout About
Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services
Gold: Monkey Nut Cafe (Supported by Restaurant and Catering Industry Association)
Silver: Bond Store Wallaroo
Tourism Wineries
Gold: Seppeltsfield Barossa – Hall of Fame (Supported by Catapult Wealth)
Silver: Kies Family Wines
Bronze: Dandelion Vineyards
Tourism Distilleries and Breweries
Gold: 23rd Street Distillery (Supported by Wallmans Lawyers)
Silver: Never Never Distilling Co.
Bronze: Woolshed Brewery
Caravan and Holiday Parks
Gold: West Beach Parks Holiday Park – Hall of Fame (Supported by Gallagher Insurance Brokers)
Silver: Echo Holiday Parks – Renmark
Bronze: Minlaton Caravan Park
Hosted Accommodation
Gold: Henders House at Almerta Station (Supported by Airbnb Australia)
Silver: Oceanview Eco Villas
Unique Accommodation
Gold: Woodhouse Adventure Park (Supported by South Australian Tourism Commission)
Silver: Mount Little Station
Silver: River Murray Houseboats
Self-Contained Accommodation
Gold: Old Coach Road Estate (Supported by University of South Australia)
Silver: Vale 194
Silver: Riesling Trail and Clare Valley Cottages
3–3.5 Star Accommodation
Gold: ibis Adelaide – Hall of Fame (Supported by International College of Hotel Management)
Silver: Coodlie Park Eco Retreat
4–4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation
Gold: Oval Hotel (Supported by Accommodation Australia SA – AHA SA)
Silver: Atura Adelaide Airport
5 Star Luxury Accommodation
Gold: Sequoia Lodge (Supported by Accommodation Australia SA – AHA SA)
Silver: Eos by SkyCity
New Tourism Business
Gold: Monarto Safari Resort (Supported by South Australian Tourism Commission)
Silver: Dairy Adventures
Bronze: Hahndorf Flower Farm
Excellence in Food Tourism
Gold: Fleurieu Food and Wine (Supported by Catapult Wealth)
Silver: Anita Robin, The Foodbuilder
Bronze: Willunga Farmers Market
Excellence in Accessible Tourism
Gold: Adelaide Fringe – Hall of Fame (Supported by Office for Autism)
Silver: MOD.
Outstanding Contribution
Geoff and Irene Scholz (Supported by Tourism Industry Council SA)
Young Achiever
Manny Katz (Supported by SeaLink South Australia)
People’s Choice Awards
Experience or Service Monarto Safari Park (Supported by RAA Travel)
Accommodation Henders House at Almerta Station (Supported by RAA Travel)
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