South Australia’s tourism stars have been crowned, with Monarto Safari Park, Illuminate Adelaide and some of the state’s most spectacular regional experiences taking home top honours at the 2026 South Australian Tourism Awards.
From luxury escapes in the Adelaide Hills to unforgettable adventures in the Flinders Ranges, the awards celebrated the businesses, attractions and people helping make South Australia a destination worth exploring.
The winners were announced on Friday, 6 November, at a gala dinner at Morphettville Racecourse, hosted by the Tourism Industry Council South Australia (TiCSA) and supported by the South Australian Tourism Commission.
Monarto Safari Park was among the night’s standout winners, taking home the Major Tourist Attractions award ahead of Adelaide Oval and Adelaide Botanic Garden. The popular wildlife destination also claimed the People’s Choice Award for Experience or Service, while Monarto Safari Resort won the People’s Choice Award for Accommodation.
It was also a big night for Illuminate Adelaide, which won Major Festivals and Events ahead of Adelaide Festival, as well as the Excellence in Accessible Tourism award.
South Australia’s regional tourism operators were strongly represented, with the Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society taking out Tourist Attractions, Mount Little Station winning Unique Accommodation and Minlaton Caravan Park recognised as the state’s leading Caravan and Holiday Park.
In the Adelaide Hills, Sequoia Lodge claimed the 5 Star Luxury Accommodation award, while Oval Hotel was inducted into the Hall of Fame for 4–4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation.
Food and wine experiences were also in the spotlight, with Barossa favourite Kies Family Wines winning Tourism Wineries, Never Never Distilling Co. taking out Tourism Distilleries and Breweries, and Monkey Nut Café receiving the Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services award.
Other notable winners included Woodhouse Adventure Park for Adventure Tourism, Jurlique Farm for Ecotourism, Flamboyance Tours for Cultural Tourism and Wadna for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences.
Beyond the businesses themselves, the awards celebrated the people making a lasting contribution to the industry.
Jane and Ross Fargher, associated with the Prairie Hotel and Nilpena Station, received the Outstanding Contribution award, while Lauren Schroeder from Zoos SA was named Young Achiever.
The awards recognise more than just popularity, with businesses assessed through a detailed judging process that includes written submissions, consumer ratings, digital reviews and validation assessments.
For South Australians planning their next weekend away, winery visit or family adventure, the results offer plenty of inspiration, with award-winning experiences stretching from the city to some of the state’s most remarkable regional destinations.
The celebrations also mark an important step towards national recognition, with the Australian Tourism Awards scheduled for February 2027 in Geelong, Victoria.
2026 South Australian Tourism Awards winners
Attractions and experiences
- Major Tourist Attractions: Monarto Safari Park
- Tourist Attractions: Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society Inc
- Major Festivals and Events: Illuminate Adelaide
- Festivals and Events: Tunarama Festival
- Ecotourism: Jurlique Farm
- Cultural Tourism: Flamboyance Tours
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences: Wadna
- Tourism Retail, Hire and Services: SA eBikes
- Visitor Information Services: Whyalla Visitor Centre
- Business Event Venues: Adelaide Oval
- Tour and Transport Operators: Discover Adelaide Tours
- Adventure Tourism: Woodhouse Adventure Park
- Tourism Marketing and Campaigns: Follow Your Wanderer
Food and wine
- Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services: Monkey Nut Café
- Tourism Wineries: Kies Family Wines
- Tourism Distilleries and Breweries: Never Never Distilling Co.
- Excellence in Food Tourism: Anita Robin – Swiss Precision. Fleurieu Flavour
Accommodation
- Caravan and Holiday Parks: Minlaton Caravan Park
- Hosted Accommodation: Henders House at Almerta Station
- Unique Accommodation: Mount Little Station
- Self-contained Accommodation: Old Coach Road Estate (Hall of Fame)
- 3–3.5 Star Accommodation: Toms Court Hotel
- 4–4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation: Oval Hotel (Hall of Fame)
- 5 Star Luxury Accommodation: Sequoia Lodge
- New Tourism Business: The Stay Edit
Special awards
- Excellence in Accessible Tourism: Illuminate Adelaide
- Outstanding Contribution: Jane and Ross Fargher, Prairie Hotel and Nilpena Station
- Young Achiever: Lauren Schroeder, Zoos SA
- People’s Choice – Experience or Service: Monarto Safari Park
- People’s Choice – Accommodation: Monarto Safari Resort
For more information about the awards, visit the Tourism Industry Council South Australia website.
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