South Australian Tourism Award winners announced for 2022

The Tourism Industry Council South Australia has revealed the 2022 South Australian Tourism Awards winners, including two Hall of Fame inductions and over 30 category winners.

The South Australian Tourism Awards are the pinnacle of excellence within the South Australian tourism industry. Award winners were announced at a Gala Dinner on 3rd November at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

The Awards recognise those businesses and individuals who have demonstrated business excellence, innovation, and outstanding achievement in the South Australian tourism industry. Most will go on to represent South Australia at the national, Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Sydney on 17th March 2023.

Two businesses were inducted into the South Australian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame this year, having won their respective categories for the third consecutive year:

• Murray River Trails - Ecotourism

• Redwing Farm - Hosted Accommodation

In addition, two businesses took home Voters' Choice Awards, as voted by the South Australian public. 19,900 votes in total were cast this year, and the winners were:

• Monarto Safari Park - Voters' Choice Award for Experience and/or Service

• Woodhouse Activity Centre - Voters' Choice Award for Accommodation

The Premier's Award for Service Excellence went to Murray River Trails.

Rex Ellis, a pioneer of adventure tourism in SA, was the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution by an Individual Award for his decades of service to the tourism industry since the 1960s.

Skyla Schmid was named South Australian Student of the Year. In her second year of a Bachelor of Business (Tourism and Event Management) at the University of South Australia, Schmid has volunteered extensively with events in Adelaide and Sydney.

Brett Carson was awarded South Australian Taxi Driver of the Year, for 15 years of courteous service, high standard, and significant contribution to the state's tourism industry.

Another 32 finalists were awarded silver or bronze medals (full list below).

TiCSA Chief Executive, Shaun de Bruyn, congratulated all Award winners and medallists and noted “the last few years have been particularly challenging for our industry. The Tourism Awards provides an opportunity for tourism operators and advocates from across the state to come together and celebrate an industry that is vibrant, innovative, and resilient. We have some of Australia's most committed tourism businesses who are delivering exceptional services and experiences. The Awards program not only recognises the very best, it also provides a development pathway for those who wish to excel.”

SA Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison added “It is wonderful to see a diverse range of operators represented in the winners of the 2022 South Australian Tourism Awards - from iconic experiences like Monarto Safari Park in the Murray River Lakes & Coorong region to unique destinations like the Bendleby Ranges in the Flinders Ranges & Outback.

"The State Government is proud to support these awards which celebrate tourism operators across our state, who deliver world-class experiences and work hard to attract visitors, while helping cement South Australia's reputation as a must-see destination.

"I wish those going onto represent South Australia at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards the best wishes on the national stage."

The 2022 South Australian Tourism Awards is supported by the South Australian Government, through the South Australian Tourism Commission.

The entrant with the highest overall score in each category is declared the winner. This year, medals (silver and bronze) were awarded to the second-highest and third-highest scoring entrants provided they scored 67.5% or higher. 'Hall of Fame' recognition is awarded to entrants who win the same category three years in a row.

Category winners and medallists

Major Tourist Attractions - supported by Adelaide Economic Development Agency
Winner - Adelaide Zoo
Silver - Seppeltsfield Barossa
Bronze - SkyCity Adelaide

Tourist Attractions - supported by South Australian Tourism Commission
Winner - Monarto Safari Park
Silver - The d'Arenberg Cube
Bronze - Barossa Valley Chocolate Company

Major Festivals & Events - supported by Festival City Adelaide
Winner - Adelaide Fringe
Silver - Illuminate Adelaide 2021

Festivals & Events - supported by Adelaide Economic Development Agency
Winner - Sky Song (Adelaide Fringe)
Silver - Light Creatures
Bronze - Adelaide Guitar Festival

Ecotourism - supported by Toyota Australia
Winner & Hall of Fame - Murray River Trails
Silver - The Big Duck Boat Tours
Bronze - Camel Treks Australia

Cultural Tourism - supported by South Australian Tourism Commission
Winner - The Cedars Hahndorf
Silver - Adelaide Gaol
Bronze - Flamboyance Tours

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Tourism Experiences - supported by Qantas
Winner - Kool Tours (Tribal Expertise Facility)

Tourism Retail & Hire Services - supported by TiCSA
Winner - The Dirt Off Road Campers Silver - Gardner Knives

Visitor Information Services - supported by Local Government Association SA

Winner - Ardrossan Museum and Information Centre

Business Event Venues - supported by Adelaide Airport

Winner - SkyCity Adelaide

Major Tour & Transport Operators - supported by RAA Travel
Winner - The Ghan         

Tour & Transport Operators - supported by Gallagher
Winner - Juggle House Experiences
Silver - Carriage of Occasion
Bronze - EXPERIENCE SA

Adventure Tourism - supported by South Australian Tourism Commission
Winner - Bendleby Ranges
Silver - Woodhouse Activity Centre
Bronze - Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari

Tourism Marketing & Campaigns - supported by Tourism Australia
Winner - Destination Riverland
Silver - Murray River Lakes & Coorong Tourism Alliance
Bronze - Adelady

Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services - supported by Restaurant & Catering Association
Winner - Watervale Hotel
Silver - The Lane Vineyard
Bronze - The Currant Shed

Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries - supported by Hood Sweeney
Winner - Kimbolton Wines
Silver - Kies Family Wines
Bronze - Kangaroo Island Distillery

Caravan & Holiday Parks - supported by Caravan and Camping Industries Association SA
Winner - Ardrossan Caravan Park
Silver - Wallaroo Holiday Park

Hosted Accommodation - supported by Nova Entertainment
Winner & Hall of Fame - Redwing Farm
Silver - Les Mas Barossa
Bronze - Sage at Streaky Bay

Unique Accommodation - supported by RAA Travel
Winner - Woodhouse Activity Centre
Silver - Almerta Station

Self-contained Accommodation - supported by Pitcher Partners
Winner - Naiko Retreat

3-3.5 Star Accommodation - supported by Australian Hotels Association SA
Winner - Under the Mount

4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation - supported by Flow Power
Winner - Novotel Barossa Valley Resort
Silver - Beach Huts Middleton
Bronze - Old Coach Road Estate

5 Star Luxury Accommodation - Supported by RAA Travel
Winner - Eos by SkyCity

New Tourism Business - supported by Tourism Australia
Winner - Sequoia Lodge
Silver - Cuttys Tours
Bronze - Poonawatta

Excellence in Food Tourism - supported by Adelady
Winner - Watervale Hotel
Silver - Weber Grill Academy Adelaide
Bronze - de Groot Coffee Co

Excellence in Accessible Tourism - supported by Toyota Australia
Winner - Monarto Safari Park

Outstanding Contribution by an Individual Award
Winner - Rex Ellis

South Australian Tourism Student of the Year Award - supported by SeaLink SA
Winner - Skyla Schmid

South Australian Taxi Driver of the Year Award - supported by Taxi Council SA
Winner - Brett Carson

Voters' Choice Award: Experiences & Services - supported by South Australian Tourism Commission
Winner - Monarto Safari Park

Voters' Choice Award: Accommodation - supported by South Australian Tourism Commission
Winner - Woodhouse Activity Centre

Premier's Award for Service Excellence - supported by South Australian Tourism Commission
Winner - Murray River Trails