Adelaide and the South Australian surrounds are renowned for its vineyards, but this state has much more to offer than simply seductive wine. The centre of Adelaide has an eclectic mix of food, culture and style, and encompasses some of the best things on offer in South Australia. Further afield, just 20 minutes out of the city, this state presents a smorgasbord of attractions. This includes a range of market gardens, picturesque beaches and famous festivals. Nestled between rolling hills and white sandy beaches, Adelaide is abundant in meeting and incentive opportunities.
One of the locations in the city perfect for your next business event is the Adelaide Convention Centre, which is a purpose-built building, providing a unique conference venue. This centre also offers unique packages including ‘Go for Green’ which incorporates the use of ‘green’ electricity, locally grown food and 90 per cent of waste is recycled, reused or composted. The venue itself provides event planners with a space that can cater for 6500 banquet guests and a pillarless floor space for exhibitions.
This centre also provides the Plenary Hall which is set up as tiered seating, as well as 14 other meeting rooms. Another part of the centre that event planners will love is the private organiser’s office, which is decked out with telephone, facsimile and photocopying facilities. Three of these offices are available and all come complementary for organisers of exhibitions, conventions and special events. This centre completes the package, making Adelaide and greater South Australia the perfect place for business events.
1. Adelaide Fringe Festival – is the largest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere and kicks off on February 22 with just over two weeks of fun and frivolity. Some of the major events include the infamous opening night party, the Adelaide International Buskers Festival and the fringe family weekend. Other event genres include comedy, cabaret, film and video, dance, music, theatre and visual arts. For ticket information go to www.adelaidefringe.com.au.
2. Wine – South Australia is one of the most prominent wine areas in Australia and by producing much of the country’s wine it has the grapes to prove it. With the Barossa, McLaren Vale, and Coonawarra just some of the wine regions in greater South Australia, the state has hundreds of vineyards to explore. If having a fruity nose or a wine with nice legs doesn’t make any sense make sure to visit The National Wine Centre where all your questions about that drop of plonk will be answered. This would be a great educational stop for a group on its way to a vineyard and handy information to impress colleagues at your next function.
3. Adelaide Central Markets – is claimed as the largest fresh produce market in the Southern Hemisphere and has been in operation since 1869. This market provides a sumptuous selection of gourmet fare and is considered one of the long-standing attractions for foodies in Adelaide. To get an expert look at what’s on offer at this mega market, local chef Mark Gleeson provides tours that run three times (for almost every meal) each market day. The tours take guests on a culinary journey through the market stalls with the choice of breakfast, lunch or an afternoon tour. Mr Gleeson has expert knowledge in this field having worked at the market as well as 25 years’ experience in the industry. For more information go to www.centralmarkettour.com.au
4. Kangaroo Island – If heading out of the city better suits your group consider Kangaroo Island, which is abundant with native fauna and flora, gourmet produce, vineyards, and for the brave - adventure caving tours deep into the underground. National Geographic ranked this spot as the best island in the Asia Pacific region for 2007 and after a survey of the world’s islands was ranked equal fifth ahead of Hawaii and the Greek Islands. Kangaroo Island not only offers visitors a relaxing stay, but also has a selection of event facilities and group tours. However, the biggest event of the year is the Kangaroo Island Coopers Cup Carnival. This two-day event includes a street party and draws in more crowds each year to enjoy the carnival atmosphere and punt on the fillies. For more information go to www.racingsa.com.au.
5. Glenelg and Brighton – If a beach retreat is more your style, these cosmopolitan seaside suburbs are for you. Glenelg is touted as Adelaide’s most popular beach and is plentiful with great restaurants, shopping and a city–to-bay tram which is synonymous with the area and has been in operation for 70 years. Just five kilometres from Glenelg beach is the seaside suburb of Brighton which, like Port Adelaide, is also full of history. Kingston Park is home to the historical Kingston House which was built in 1840, and the grounds have stunning views of Adelaide’s beaches as well as the gulf of St Vincent. The building is surrounded by a park perfect for a picnic or, if you are searching for a unique venue, the house is available for hire for private functions.
6. Golf – if you feel the need to get on the greens South Australia provides world-class courses. Dotted around Adelaide and greater South Australia, this state has many courses to choose from: The Royal Adelaide Golf Club was ranked in the top five of Australia’s top 100 courses in 2006; this course is claimed as the oldest and most challenging in Adelaide and has been host to nine Australian Open events. The Vines Golf Club Reynella was established in 1925 and is said to have the most interesting course layout in Adelaide, appealing to golfers of all levels. This course was also the venue for last year’s Masters Games. The Kooyonga Golf Club was ranked 11th in Australia’s Top 100 courses and the layout is said to be testing but fair. This course has been host to five Australian Opens and three Australian Amateur Championships.
The Grange golf course is consistently ranked in the top 60 courses in Australia and this twin champion sand belt course is said to have a challenging layout with immaculate fairways and greens. The Glenelg Golf Club was built in 1927 on sandy marsh lands. It has strategically positioned bunkers and a variety of challenging holes.
7. Port Adelaide – is the maritime heart of South Australia and this sea port city is abundant with historic buildings, numerous museums and markets. One of the main attractions in Port Adelaide is the bottlenose dolphins as well as the mangroves, estuarine waters and wetlands which form an aquatic reserve and is said to be a “must do” for kayak and nature enthusiasts. This historic port city is only 20 minutes’ drive from Adelaide.
8. Clipsal 500 Adelaide 2008 – For those partial to the sound and fury of a V8 super car and the smell of burning rubber this event would be the perfect incentive trip. The Clipsal V8 Super Car Championship series kicks off in Adelaide in late February, for four days of Supercar races, air displays, beachwear parades and on-track stunts. The action doesn’t stop there with four after-race concerts featuring Santana, Powderfinger, Sneaky Sound System and more. For more information go to www.clipsal500.com.au.
9. Moonlight Cinema – for the summer months there is nothing better than making the most of a balmy evening with a picnic and lying back on the grass to enjoy a movie. This open air cinema is located on the beautiful lawns of the Botanical Gardens, runs for a good part of the summer months and features latest releases, contemporary, cult and classic movies. Some classic movies on show include Casablanca, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Singing in the Rain. Get in quick for tickets because the season ends mid February, but is sure to be back in 2009. For more information go to www.moonlight.com.au.
Top |