The Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island have again shone brightly at the 2023 South Australian Tourism Awards, announced on Friday 3 November.

Eight category winners took gold medals, with one entering the Hall of Fame. Six local businesses were also recognised with silver medals and two with bronze.

The awards, delivered annually by Tourism Industry Council South Australia (TiCSA), recognises business excellence and outstanding achievement in the state’s tourism industry in 31 categories.

Transport, accommodation, food, cultural experiences, eco tourism, there were winners across the Fleurieu and KI.

Luxury eco resort Naiko Retreat, in Deep Creek, won the self-contained accommodation category for the third year in a row, qualifying for the Hall of Fame.

Gold awards also went to The Big Duck Boat Tours; Kool Tours; Spirit of the Coorong; The Currant Shed; Oceanview Eco Villas, KI; d’Arenberg Cube; and Beach Huts Middleton.

Silver winners were Old Coach Road Estate; Kangaroo Island Tourism Alliance; Kangaroo Island Seaview Hotel; Kimbolton Wines, Langhorne Creek; and Anita Robin the Foodbuilder, Goolwa.

Awarded bronze were Beresford Estate, McLaren Vale and Carriage of Occasion, Strathalbyn.

Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes has congratulated the region’s gold, silver and bronze award winners, on behalf of the council.

“Tourism is a key industry for our region and Alexandrina takes great pride in being a small business-friendly council. 

“Through our local business support program Business Alexandrina, we have been working with many tourism operators to help them to step up to the next level through mentoring, training and other support services. 

“It’s exciting to see Kool Tours, Beach Huts Middleton, Spirit of the Coorong, Kimbolton Wines and Carriage of Occasion go from strength to strength but to see Anita Robin’s cooking classes, Foodbuilder win an award for the first time is a real thrill. 

“I would also like to extend my congratulations to all the finalists, including our own SA Wooden Boat Festival Committee. 

“All our finalists have demonstrated the excellence and innovation provided by all the tourism experiences in our region.” 

For the full list of winners and medallists, visit the TICSA website.