South Australian tourism town awards secured by Renmark, Wallaroo, and Quorn

The ‘top tourism towns’  in South Australia were announced last night with towns from the Riverland, Yorke Peninsula and Flinders Ranges regions taking out top honours.

Renmark received the Top Tourism Town accolade. Wallaroo took out the dual honour of both Small Tourism Town Award and the Peoples’ Choice Award, presented to the town that receives the most consumer votes. Quorn took out the inaugural Tiny Tourism Town Award.

The Top Tourism Town program, delivered by South Australia’s peak tourism body, the Tourism Industry Council South Australia (TiCSA), recognises towns that offer impressive visitor experiences and are committed to working collectively to increase visitation to their region.

The announcement was made by Frances Adamson, Governor of South Australia, at a Government House reception for representatives of the 20 finalist towns. 

Quorn, in the heart of the Flinders Ranges, is embracing tourism as its fastest-growing industry. Home to the award-winning Pichi Richi Railway and Quorn Silo Light Show, the Tiny Town winner offers accommodation options, access to numerous historic and nature tourism activities, and a rapidly developing events calendar.

Wallaroo, located in Yorke Peninsula’s Copper Coast, is South Australia’s favourite seaside destination while Renmark, nestled on a sweeping bend overlooking the Murray River, boasts an abundance of history, houseboats to hire, extensive local produce and craft beverage scene, tracks, trails and National Parks to discover, murals and silo art, and plenty of uninterrupted river views.

Eoin Loftus, TiCSA’s Chair, praised South Australia’s regions and congratulated the finalists and winners.

“A big congratulations to our Top Tourism Town Award recipients. Our regions overall have attracted significant visitor expenditure throughout this COVID period, proving their resilience and important contributions to our state’s economy. It is fantastic to be celebrating and recognising our state’s tourism towns.”

Andy Glen, Chair of the South Australian Visitor Information Centre Network said the Network is delighted to have supported the program and has been overwhelmed by the response.

Glen noted “we are extremely proud of our Visitor Information Centre members for assisting towns to enter, the quality of the submissions, and the overall benefit that entrants will receive from their participation.

“Congratulations to each category winner along with all entrants – South Australia is truly a great state to work, live and play.”

Mayor Angela Evans, President of the Local Government Association of South Australia and Mayor at City of Charles Sturt, said the LGA was proud to have partnered again with TiCSA for the 2022 Top Tourism Town Program and added “Regional councils and local businesses have worked hard to maintain and highlight their visitor experiences, so we’re thrilled to be involved in the Top Tourism Town Awards and celebrate all that our state has to offer.”

The three winning towns will go on to represent South Australia at the national Australian Top Tourism Town Awards later this year.

Image top: Quorn Silo Light Show; image centre: Wallaroo; image above: Renmarck. Courtesy Tourism Industry Council South Australia (TiCSA)