Pre and Post Touring

Fleurieu Peninsula

From the fringes of Adelaide, south to Cape Jervis (two hours from Adelaide), Fleurieu Peninsula takes in the famous McLaren Vale wine region, spectacular southern beaches and the seaside resort towns of Victor Harbor, Port Elliot and Goolwa.

With its proximity to Adelaide, this is a natural destination for convention day tours - the return trip itself features astounding coastal panoramas.

One sure-fire success is a cellar door tour taking in some of McLaren Vale's 45 wineries. The McLaren Vale district also offers a number of exceptional special event venues, and the region's restaurants present menus of fine local cuisine highlighting fresh produce and seafood - along with superb wine lists. Pre and post conference touring opportunities include marine activities such as fishing, sailing and surfing, as well as bushwalking and cliff-top walks, Coorong cruises, observing fairy penguins on Granite Island and, in the coolers months, whale-watching.

A number of Fleurieu Peninsula venues can host fully serviced medium-sized conferences and many more can comfortably handle smaller meetings.

Adelaide Hills

Only 20 minutes from the centre of Adelaide, this is one of South Australia's most picturesque locations. It is also a region of pleasing diversity and productivity.

The mountains of the Mount Lofty Ranges are the city's scenic backdrop - with a climate some degrees cooler than Adelaide's. Rolling hillside vineyards produce the region's famous cool climate wines; the lush farming land grows fruit and vegetables for the Adelaide market. The Adelaide Hills regions is also famous for beautiful gardens and the glories of autumn colour and spring blossom.

A charming contrast to the metropolis below, with its winding roads and hidden villages, this region is an ideal short tour destination for conferences based in Adelaide. The town of Hahndorf, its German heritage very much on show, is able to entertain and cater for large groups. Two excellent wildlife sanctuaries, Cleland Wildlife Park and Warrawong Sanctuary, offer an unforgettable close encounter with Australian wildlife such as kangaroos and koalas, and a chance to view rare and endangered species.

The region offers boutique accommodation including romantic B&B hideaways and luxurious small hotels. There are numerous venues suitable for meetings, conference dinners and special events.

Barossa

The Barossa, just over an hour from Adelaide, is Australia's most famous wine district. This picturesque region of rolling hills latticed by vineyards is known as much for its interesting Germanic heritage and charming style as it is for its fine vintages.

Wine Tourism is a way of life in the Barossa, with about 60 wineries, stylish restaurants and the Barossa Wine and Visitor Centre in Tanunda. Another drawcard is its Lutheran legacy - the many imposing churches built in the 1800s provide the Barossa with its European character. Other recreational and shopping opportunities include walking and cycling and browsing through numerous antique art and craft shops.

The Barossa makes an excellent day tour destination for delegates based in Adelaide - providing visitors the opportunity to sample premium wines, dine in fine restaurants, magnificent old churches, wineries and cottages all in a peaceful rural setting.

Conferences may also choose to be based entirely in the Barossa - it is a popular destination for incentives and meetings. The Barossa's modern meeting facilities can hold up to 900 delegates in a plenary session. There are also many unique venues, ideal for memorable events and functions. Catering for large groups is one of the Barossa's strengths, making the most of the region's fine wine and distinct local cuisine.

Kangaroo Island

The setting for one of the world's most intense wilderness experiences, Kangaroo Island is only a 30-minute flight or a three-hour bus/self-drive plus ferry trip from Adelaide.

In complete isolation, this is a diverse ecosystem of birds, native animals and flora. With one-third of the island reserved as national park, serious travellers worldwide recommend "KI" as the place to see Australian wildlife in a natural habitat: kangaroos, koalas, possums, seals, penguins, goannas and many other species abound. At Seal Bay, home of KI's famous sea-lion colony, 500 of these majestic creatures bask in the sun.

This natural sanctuary is also a place of outstanding natural beauty with its dramatic rocky coastline, fragrant eucalypt forests and sheltered sandy beaches.

Escorted tours range from day-trips to specialist eco excursions with expert guides. Kangaroo Island has a growing reputation as a source of natural and specialist food products, and tasting local fare such as cheeses, Ligurian Bee honey, King George whiting, marron and free range poultry is a must for most tours. Active adventures include swimming, diving and fishing. There is a wide choice of accommodation, luxury retreats to cabins and motels, and car hire is available.

Clare Valley

Only an hour-and-a-half drive from Adelaide, picturesque Clare Valley combines the civilised pleasures of world-class wine and dining with the charm of heritage towns and the scenic appeal of vineyards and bushland.

As one of the world's premium, wine-growing regions, Clare Valley has long been a popular pre and post-day-trip option for conventions based in Adelaide. More recently the region has become a complete convention destination in its own right, with more than 1,400 beds within a 20-minute country drive.

Clare's conference facilities are impressive, ranging from small, intimate venues in century-old stone buildings to larger fully equipped, purpose built centres.

Cellar door touring is the obvious social activity, ideally suited for promoting easy mixing among delegates. Tasting and discussing fine wine in charming surrounds heightens the entire conference experience for participants.

Pre and post conference, Clare Valley also has much to offer, including one of South Australia's best country golf courses. For unwinding after an intense few days, nothing surpasses fresh air and exercise. The 27 kilometre Riesling Trail, for cyclists and walkers, was built on the old railway line between Clare and Auburn, and links villages and wineries of the wine region.

Nearby Burra, a copper-mining boomtown of the 19th century that retains many significant stone buildings, is a contrasting tour option, with its mining heritage and antique shops. Conference kits to assist with planning are available.