South Australia’s tourism award winners announced for 2023

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Image: Sequoia Lodge

The winners of the 2023 South Australian Tourism Awards have been revealed, featuring 31 category winners and four inductees to the coveted Hall of Fame.

This prestigious awards program, expertly curated and presented by the Tourism Industry Council South Australia (TiCSA), once again highlighted the exceptional achievements and business excellence within the state’s tourism sector.

The much-anticipated announcement took place at a glamorous Gala Dinner held on Friday, November 3, at the renowned Adelaide Convention Centre, where the who’s who of South Australia’s tourism scene gathered to applaud these remarkable accomplishments.

Among the standout moments of the evening were the well-deserved inductions into the South Australian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame. Four outstanding businesses across the state earned this esteemed recognition for clinching the gold medal in their respective categories for the third consecutive year. These distinguished inductees include:

• The Cedars Hahndorf – Earning acclaim in the Cultural Tourism category.
• Bendleby Ranges – For their exceptional contributions to Adventure Tourism.
• Woodhouse Adventure Park – Celebrated for its Unique Accommodation offerings.
• Naiko Retreat – Recognized for excellence in Self-contained Accommodation.

The Voters’ Choice Awards, determined through the enthusiastic support and votes from their visitors, local communities, and supporters, added an exciting layer to the evening’s celebrations. With an impressive tally of nearly 20,000 votes cast across all finalists, two standout winners emerged:

• Monarto Safari Park – Claiming the coveted Voters’ Choice Award for Experience and/or Service.
• BIG4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park – Garnering accolades as the Voters’ Choice Award winner for Accommodation.

The night also provided an opportunity to honor exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry. The Outstanding Achievement Award was fittingly bestowed upon Ian Horne, the dedicated CEO of the Australian Hotels Association SA, for his unwavering commitment and leadership spanning nearly four decades.

Isabel Nietschke received recognition as the South Australian Young Achiever, demonstrating exceptional potential through her active engagement within the industry and her remarkable academic pursuits at Flinders University.

The accolade for South Australian Taxi Driver of the Year went to Jayant Jain from Adelaide Independent Taxis. His consistent dedication and warm, positive demeanor, epitomized by his ‘give a smile, get a smile’ approach, captured the hearts of many.

Shaun de Bruyn, the CEO of TiCSA, extended heartfelt congratulations to all the winners, medallists, and finalists, emphasising the pivotal role they play in enhancing South Australia’s vibrant tourism landscape.

Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said the diversity and excellence of the winners demonstrate what makes South Australia a must-visit tourism destination.

‘I congratulate all winners of the 2023 South Australian Tourism Awards, who represent the world-class calibre of our state’s tourism industry,’ Minister Bettison said.

‘With South Australia’s visitor economy at an all-time high of $9.9 billion, it is clear this could only be achieved through the innovation and dedication of operators across the state who deliver incredible offerings which entice visitors from all over to see South Australia.’

Winners from most categories will go on to represent South Australia in the national Australian Tourism Awards in Darwin next year.

CATEGORY WINNERS AND MEDALLISTS – 2023

The entrant with the highest score in the category is declared the winner. Silver and bronze medals are awarded to the second and third-highest scoring entrants respectively, provided they meet a specific score threshold. Hall of Fame recognition is awarded to entrants who win the same category three years in a row.

Major Tourist Attractions – Supported by Big Red Group
Winner – Monarto Safari Park
Silver – Adelaide Oval

Tourist Attractions – Supported by Big Red Group
Winner – d’Arenberg
Silver – Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society

Major Festivals & Events – Supported by Festival City Adelaide
Winner – Illuminate Adelaide
Silver – Adelaide Cabaret Festival
Bronze – WOMADelaide

Festivals & Events – Supported by Festival City Adelaide
Winner – 2023 Let’s Go Caravan, Camping and Outdoor Show
Silver – SALT Festival 2023
Bronze – DreamBIG Children’s Festival

Ecotourism – Supported by Toyota
Winner – The Big Duck Boat Tours
Silver – Camel Treks Australia
Bronze – CABN

Cultural Tourism Winner & Hall of Fame – The Cedars Hahndorf
Silver – Adelaide Zoo
Bronze – Flamboyance Tours

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Tourism Experiences – Supported by RAA Travel
Winner – Kool Tours

Tourism Retail, Hire & Services – Supported by Adelady
Winner – Copper Trails Bike Hire

Visitor Information Services – Supported by Local Government Association of SA
Winner – Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre
Silver – Burra & Goyder Visitor Information Centre

Business Event Venues – Supported by Adelaide Airport
Winner – Adelaide Oval

Tour & Transport Operators – Supported by RAA Travel
Winner – Spirit of the Coorong
Silver – Experience Coffin Bay
Bronze – Carriage of Occasion

Adventure Tourism – Supported by Tourism Australia
Winner & Hall of Fame – Bendleby Ranges
Silver – Woodhouse Adventure Park
Bronze – Bike About Cycling Tours & Hire

Tourism Marketing & Campaigns – Supported by Tourism Australia
Winner – Regional Development Australia Eyre Peninsula. Eyre – The Wild Side
Silver – Kangaroo Island Tourism Alliance

Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services – Supported by Restaurant & Catering Australia
Winner – The Currant Shed
Silver – L’Anse French Cafe
Bronze – Watervale Hotel

Tourism Wineries – Supported by South Australian Tourism Commission
Winner – Seppeltsfield Wines
Silver – Kimbolton Wines
Bronze – Elderton Wines

Tourism Distilleries & Breweries – Supported by South Australian Tourism Commission
Winner – Twenty Third Street Distillery

Caravan & Holiday Parks – Supported by Caravan & Camping SA
Winner – BIG4 West Beach Parks
Silver – Minlaton Caravan Park
Bronze – Karoonda Tourist Park

Hosted Accommodation – Supported by South Australian Tourism Commission
Winner – Oceanview Eco Villas

Unique Accommodation – Supported by South Australian Tourism Commission
Winner & Hall of Fame – Woodhouse Adventure Park
Silver – Bukirk Glamping & Fancy Coops

Self-Contained Accommodation – Supported by Altitude Advisory
Winner & Hall of Fame – Naiko Retreat
Silver – Old Coach Road Estate

3-3.5 Star Accommodation – Supported by Wallmans Lawyers
Winner – ibis Adelaide
Silver – Kangaroo Island Seaview Motel

4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation – Supported by Australian Hotels Association SA & Accommodation Australia
Winner – Beach Huts Middleton
Silver – Bridgeport Hotel
Bronze – Pullman Adelaide

5 Star Luxury Accommodation – Supported by Australian Hotels Association SA & Accommodation Australia
Winner – Sequoia Lodge
Silver – Le Mas Barossa

New Tourism Business – Supported by RAA Travel
Winner – Port River Cruises
Silver – Brindabella Sailing
Bronze – Beresford Estate

Excellence in Food Tourism – Supported by Adelady
Winner – Adelaide Showground Farmers’ Market
Silver – Anita Robin, the foodbuilder

Excellence in Accessible Tourism – Supported by Toyota
Winner – Adelaide Fringe
Silver – Monarto Safari Park
Bronze – BIG4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park

Outstanding Contribution Award – Supported by South Australian Tourism Commission
Winner – Ian Horne

Young Achiever – Supported by SeaLink Winner – Isabel Nietschke

South Australian Taxi Driver of the Year Award – Supported by Taxi Council South Australia
Winner – Jayant Jain Runner Up – Helen Hanson

2nd runner up – Brett Carson

Voters’ Choice Award: Experiences & Services – Supported by Tourism Industry Council SA
Winner – Monarto Safari Park

Voters’ Choice Award: Accommodation – Supported by Tourism Industry Council SA
Winner – BIG4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park