Visiting SA’s top tourism towns
There’s nothing we love more than celebrating South Australia. So naturally, when the Tourism Industry Council South Australia (TiCSA) announced Renmark, Wallaroo and Quorn as the recipients of the SA Top Tourism Town Awards , we got straight to researching the best things to do when visiting.
The awards, which were established in 2021 and are held annually, recognise towns that are committed to drawing tourists to their communities by offering appealing attractions.
So, what makes each of the winning towns so great and a standout to the judges? Plenty! Here’s why they should be next on your holiday list.
Renmark
Located about three hours from Adelaide, along the banks of the Mighty Murray, Renmark is famous for its scenery, wildlife, distilleries and local produce. It’s also a popular holiday destination, especially for those who enjoy water sports and houseboating. Renmark was awarded the prestigious overall Top Tourism Town accolade.
What to do
Check out historic Paringa Bridge
When it opened in 1927, the Paringa Bridge was of significance to the area because of its advanced engineering to allow a section of it to be raised for larger river traffic to pass through. The bridge still operates twice a day, and it can be quite entertaining to watch houseboats scramble through.
Cruise along the River Murray
If water sports aren’t your thing, why not take a cruise along the river with Renmark River Cruises. They offer a sunset tour where you can enjoy the stunning scenery while noshing on platters made using local produce.
Visit Ruston’s Rose Garden
Shakespeare famously wrote “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” and well, you’re in for a scent-sory treat at Ruston’s, which is one of the largest rose gardens in the southern hemisphere. While there you can enjoy a bite to eat and try their signature gins from their recently installed distillery.
Tantalise your tastebuds
Hotel Renmark
Currently undergoing refurbishment (with estimated completion in September), Hotel Renmark, which was established in 1897, is a striking building, and one of the oldest community-run hotels in the region. Here you can enjoy dining while overlooking the riverfront. Once you’ve finished eating head upstairs to the Renmark Hotel Museum to learn more about its history.
Arrosto Coffee
Formerly the Renmark Fire Station, Arrosto Coffee is now the hotspot for your caffeine hit, as well as cakes and other treats. You can also enjoy the famous Firewater Coffee Liqueur, made from a Colombian cold drip coffee, blended with Australian grape spirit.
The Kumquatery
A family-run business growing 500 trees with two varieties of kumquats, you can try the distinctly-flavoured fruit in a number of ways, including candied, chocolate covered, dehydrated and as a syrup and jam. Fresh kumquats are available during harvest and tours and tastings can be organised by appointment.
Wallaroo
A popular seaside holiday destination with a multimillion-dollar marina, Wallaroo less than two hours’ drive from Adelaide, making it easily accessible for holiday-goers. It, along with nearby towns Kadina and Moonta, forms part of the Copper Triangle, named so because copper was mined in the region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Wallaroo took out both the Small Tourism Town and Peoples’ Choice awards.
What to do
Cast a line off the famous jetty
The judges got it right – Wallaroo sure is a good catch. Popular for fishing, you can expect snapper, King George whiting, squid, flathead and crabs fishing (or crabbing) off the famous 869m-long jetty, which opened to anglers in 1971.
If relaxing on the beach is more your thing, enjoy a drive to North Beach to admire the expansive white sand, which stretches for more than 2km.
See the silo light show
The creators behind the well-known silo light show in Quorn, Illuminart, now also have a permanent silo installation in Wallaroo, which showcases Yorke Peninsula’s Copper Coast every night after sunset.
Meet George the Giant Squid
The Wallaroo Heritage and Nautical Museum is home to George, an 8.5m-long (when his tentacles are outstretched) squid, who was retrieved from a whale’s stomach in 1980. The museum also has plenty of other memorabilia, including a 30-foot racing boat from the copper smelter era. Out the front of the museum, you’ll also find the former 1877 Tipara Reef Lighthouse.
Tantalise your tastebuds
JJ’s Copper Coast Seafood
If fishing’s not really your thing, or they just weren’t biting on the day, head to JJ’s seafood market to buy your seasonal seafood, with Spencer Gulf prawns, tuna, oysters and local fish available to cook up at home (and you can tell the family it was your haul from the day).
The Smelter
A modern relaxed café that the ideal go-to coffee spot with breakfast, lunch and quick bite options on the menu. We hear they’re famous for their colourful smoothies, mega shakes and deconstructed cold-drip coffees.
Bond Store
A new microbrewery, distillery and restaurant in the heart of Wallaroo. The menu includes dishes made using local produce with many made over the custom charcoal grill, ‘Parrilla’. Enjoy tapas, share plates, cocktails and other beverages, and fresh seasonal produce, like seafood.
Quorn
You know you’ve made it when you’re a star of the big screen. The tiny town of Quorn in the Flinders Ranges is a popular location for movie shoots requiring outback Australia scenes, with Wolf Creek and Gallipoli among the films shot there. It’s a picturesque railway town steeped in history and plenty to offer tourists. Quorn took out the inaugural Tiny Tourism Town Award.
What to do
Quorn Silo Art Show
Be dazzled by the permanent light show at the Quorn silo, created by SA-based projection company Illuminart. The silo is illuminated using projection technology to beam art onto the façade nightly for about three hours from sunset. Best of all, it’s free.
Ride the Pichi Richi Railway
All aboard! The historic Pichi Richi Railway, which opened in 1879, served as part of original Ghan route and still travels between Quorn and Port Augusta and has been run by volunteers since 1974. Sit back, relax, and bask in the beauty of the natural terrain on a half or full-day journey.
Attend the inaugural Quandong Festival
The festival, held on 6 August celebrates sustainable faming and living, and bush tucker native to Nukunu and Adnyamathanha land, including the quandong fruit. The free event will also feature cooking demonstrations, workshops, stalls, panel discussions, music and family-friendly activities. Bookings are essential.
Tantalise your tastebuds
Flinders Gin
This one is for the gin lovers. Using native ingredients sourced from the Flinders Ranges and South Australian outback, Flinders Gin is a small batch distillery based in Quorn where every bottle is hand poured by master distiller and local, Alby Trotta. The quandong gin is said to combine the zesty sweetness of ripe citrus with native peach, while there’s also the Farrier’s Gin with an earthy palate, among other varieties. Don’t forget to say hi to Ernie, the distillery dog.
Teas on the Terrace
Lover of tea? You’ll get to try a variety at Teas on the Terrace, which also sells locally made quandong jam, pies and dessert sauce.
Quandong Café
Try the famous quandong pie at Quandong Café in the heart of town. The café is seen as somewhat of an institution to the area and claims to have been one of the first establishments to bring the coffee culture to the Flinders Ranges when it opened in 1995.
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