Hall of Fame

• Category 07 Qantas Award for Excellence in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism Aboriginal Cultural Tours SA Supported by Qantas Airways Aboriginal Cultural Tours SA offers Outbush (Ngadjuri) and Coastal (Adjahdura) experiences of the Yorke Peninsula, Clare Valley, Mid North, Burra region and Southern Flinders Ranges. The tours provide a unique insight into one of the world’s oldest living cultures and allow visitors to walk together in the footsteps of their ancestors. Dreaming and Creation stories bring the landscape to life and are shared to connect with nature and the environment. With each tour, guests gain a wealth of knowledge about Aboriginal heritage, culture, traditions and beliefs.

  Category 11 Major Tour and Transport Operators Wrightsair Wrightsair is a major Outback South Australia flight tourism operator, which has been operating scenic and charter flights since 1992. Wrightsair operates 365 days a year with their fleet of aircraft flying tourists from William Creek over inspirational landscapes, including the majestic Lake Eyre - Kati Thanda and the amazing Anna Creek Painted Hills. The highly professional commercial pilots of Wrightsair also fly guests over Wilpena Pound, Marree Man, Dalhousie Springs, Coober Pedy and the Simpson Desert while providing commentary. It is hard to appreciate the diversity of the Outback without seeing it from the air.

  Category 18 Hosted Accommodation Mulberry Lodge Country Retreat Supported by the Government of South Australia Mulberry Lodge is a hosted country retreat, offering a luxurious and indulgent escape to the beauty of the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia. Nestled among the vines of the McLaren Vale wine region, on the edge of the historic township of Willunga, Mulberry Lodge is the perfect destination to relax and rejuvenate. Mulberry Lodge is set on two acres of beautiful mature gardens and provides guests with dedicated hospitality, complete tranquillity, stunning rural views and easy access to over 70 cellar doors, award-winning restaurants and some of South Australia’s finest beaches.

  Category 23 Luxury Accommodation The Playford MGallery by Softel Supported by Stamford Hotels & Resorts In the heart of Adelaide’s cultural precinct, The Playford brings together a rich tapestry of South Australia’s food, wine and artistry with a passion for service excellence and genuine hospitality. Located only nine kilometres from Adelaide International Airport, The Playford has a stunning Art Nouveau ambiance and features 182 beautifully appointed guestrooms and suites, luxurious amenities and exquisite cuisine, with the perfect blend of old world charm and modern-day creature comforts. The award-winning Playford Restaurant offers innovative world-class dining, while incorporating high quality South Australian ingredients and a renowned boutique wine list.

• Category 04 Festivals and Events Sounds by the River Supported by the Government of South Australia Sounds by the River 2017 at Mannum was heralded as one of the most successful events staged in its eight year history. The legendary headline act - John Farnham and all Australian line up saw the earliest sell-out ever. Created in 2008 to profile the Murray River as a tourist destination in drought conditions, this January river day out has grown from strength to strength attracting capacity crowds for the past five years. With the magnificent river as its backdrop, Sounds by The River has become a destination event and brings an estimated $3 million into the Murray River Lakes & Coorong region.

  Category 12 Tour and Transport Operators Adelaide’s Haunted Horizons Supported by the South Australian Tourism Industry Council Adelaide’s Haunted Horizons conducts various types of tours at nine iconic destinations around South Australia. These include the creepiest ghost tours at arguably the scariest locations in the State. Catering for groups up to 20 people, Haunted Horizons tours focus on hauntings, crime and dark history, as well as extended paranormal investigations and overnight ghost hunts at most venues. These tours aren’t the standard ghost tours – Adelaide’s Haunted Horizons operate under the simple motto ‘keeping it real’, offering a truly unique experience in South Australia.

  Category 13 Adventure Tourism Calypso Star Charters Supported by Marree Hotel Calypso Star Charters is a significant adventure tourism business in Port Lincoln and proudly carbon neutral, offering two of the most exciting outdoor adventure marine tourism experiences in the world – Advanced Eco Certified Shark Cage Diving and Swimming with Sea Lions. Calypso Star Charters offer three outdoor adventure tourism products: a full day Shark Cage Diving tour that operates all year round, a half-day Swim with the Sea Lions tour from September to May and a Combo Tour our available between October and May. Guests travel from across the globe to participate in these memorable and often personally challenging tours.

  Category 19 Unique Accommodation Griffens Marina Blanchetown Supported by the South Australian Tourism Commission Griffens Marina offers Blanchetown's only houseboat hire, from a privately owned and secluded marina, nestled below ancient limestone cliffs. Only 90 minutes from Adelaide, Griffens Marina is a very popular self-drive houseboat holiday destination in the Riverland. Specialising in the affordable small group and family market, each houseboat has features that set them apart. Located on a stunning stretch of the Murray River renowned for its majestic cliffs, red gum lined banks and superb scenery, visitors will enjoy peace and tranquillity as they slowly cruise along one of the world's greatest waterways.

  Category 20 Self Contained Accommodation The Frames Supported by the Government of South Australia The Frames is an experience in ultra-luxury accommodation in Australia. It offers three opulent and private residences, each exquisitely tailored to help couples rejuvenate and relax. The ‘frames’ refer to signature decks which shape your view of Australia’s famous Murray River on a cliff-top in Paringa, South Australia. The retreats each have their own sense of style, uniqueness and outlook. Each retreat provides total privacy for guests with their pools, Jacuzzis and state of the art entertainment facilities. The Frames sets the scene for escape and to enhance this unique experience, each retreat is large, open, private and true ultra-luxury.

• Category 22 Deluxe Accommodation Yondah Beach House Supported by Barossa Valley Brewing Yondah Beach House is the perfect beach hideaway. Set on 300 secluded oceanfront acres, this gorgeous 4.5-star architect-designed beach house is only three hours from Adelaide. Featuring panoramic views to Kangaroo Island, this pet-friendly beach house sleeps 6-8 guests in three spacious bedrooms, each with its own designer bathroom. All the creature comforts are provided, including SmartTV and free NBN satellite internet. Guests can enjoy the spring flowers, birds and kangaroos, stroll along the clifftops to spot whales and seals or simply bask on a beautiful sandy beach of their very own.

  Category 28 Tourism Education and Training TAFE SA Supported by the South Australian Tourism Industry Council  TAFE SA is the largest provider of Vocational Education and Training in South Australia, delivering more than 1,000 courses to an average of 80,000 students per year at their campuses across the State. TAFE SA offers training across more than 80 activity and industry-related areas with a wide range of quality courses and flexible study options to suit the personal needs of their clients. TAFE SA plays a major role in the development of South Australia’s future workforce with 90% of students employed or undergoing further study after having graduated from their degree.