International business publication, The Economist , has named Adelaide as one of the world's most desirable places to live, in an international survey of 127 cities. Adelaide was ranked alongside Zurich, Toronto, Calgary, Sydney and Perth in equal fifth place, with Vancouver topping the list.

Brother John May SJ, of Sevenhill Cellars, has won the 2005 SA Great Tourism Award, just one month after being proclaimed joint winner of the Harry Dowling Award at the 2005 South Australian Tourism Awards. Brother John has been involved in winemaking at Sevenhill Cellars for 40 years and was instrumental in the formation of the Clare Valley Tourist Association.

A new Ocean to Outback interpretation centre has opened at Cleland Wildlife Park, in the Adelaide Hills. The centre offers visitors the opportunity to explore South Australia's unique landscapes and the wildlife that lives there through four innovative, interactive displays. Not only is it fun to visit, the centre also spreads the message of conservation through education.

Kangaroo Island Marketing Manager David Honner was been selected by Tourism Australia as one of its Young Tourism Ambassadors in the lead up to the 2006 Commonwealth Games. In his ambassadorial role, David will run with the Commonwealth Games Queen's Baton. He will also travel with the Baton as it visits every Australian state and territory, spreading the word about Kangaroo Island and its many delights as a tourism destination.

Monarto Zoological Park has unveiled its upgraded multi purpose facility, the Pavilion. Overlooking the stunning African Plains habitat, the Pavilion offers spectacular views of the park's wildlife, including giraffes and zebras. It's the perfect venue for a memorable wedding, meeting or conference. The pavilion's $450,000 upgrade was made possible through a South Australian Tourism Commission grant and funding from the Royal Zoological Society of South Australia.

Peppers Hermitage has been voted one of Australia's eight best romantic weekend retreats in the Holidays for Couples 2005 Readers' Choice Awards. Peppers Hermitage is nestled in one of the world's best wine regions, the Barossa. As well as luxury vineyard accommodation, it offers fabulous food at its acclaimed restaurant, Appellation, and its location makes it the perfect base for a weekend of wine tasting.

The location for one of the Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts' most anticipated events has been revealed. The Peoples' Portrait video screen will be located in Adelaide's Rundle Mall, at the intersection of King William St, throughout the Festival. Transmitted in real time between video screens in Adelaide, New York, Beijing, Linz, London and Seoul, visitors to Rundle Mall can have their photo taken at the capture kiosk next to the screen and be part of an instantaneous, collective and truly global portrait project.

Premiering this month on the ABC is the sumptuous new television series The Cook and The Chef . Filmed in the Barossa, the weekly series is hosted by local foodie Maggie Beer and executive chef Simon Bryant. As Maggie introduces Simon to her home region and the people who supply her with produce, Simon shares with viewers the secrets of converting home cooked dishes into restaurant meals. Catch the show 6.30pm, Wednesdays, on the ABC.

The program for the 2006 Adelaide Writers' Week program is out now, featuring details of 82 events sure to inspire all literature lovers. Adelaide Writers' Week, held biennially, is the nation's largest literary festival and attracts acclaimed authors from around the world. The 2006 Adelaide Writers' Week runs 5-10 March, and the majority of its events are free to attend. Programs are available to buy from good book stores, or can be downloaded from the website www.adelaidefestival.com.au

The Flinders Ranges National Park will be temporarily closed to the public for feral animal control to protect the Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby as part of Operation Bounceback from 4-10 February. Wilpena Pound itself, including all walking and access trails, will be closed for one day only on 6 February. More information: 08 86485300.

The 2006 visitor guides for the Adelaide Hills, Barossa, Eyre Peninsula, Fleurieu Peninsula, Linestone Coast, Yorke Peninsula and the Riverland are now available. The free guides include all the information you need to plan a trip in one of South Australia's regions, as well as get the most out of your holiday once you've arrived. Pick one up now at the South Australian Visitor and Travel Centre, 18 King William St, Adelaide or call 08 8303 2220.

Owners of classic cars, motorbikes or scooters manufactured before 1976 are invited to enter their vehicles in the National Motor Museum's Rock & Roll Rendezvous, and could win some fantastic prizes. Entries close on Friday 24 March. More information: 08 8568 4000 or www.history.sa.gov.au/motor/events.htm

Helping to keep Kangaroo Island's bees free of disease is simple: don't bring any honey on to the island. KI was declared an official ‘bee sanctuary' in 1885, and the island is now home to the world's only known pure strain of Ligurian bees. Its organic honey is internationally acclaimed, and honey production is an important industry for the island's community. Importing bees or bee products to Kangaroo Island is illegal. Anyone caught bringing prohibited products onto the island could face an $8000 fine or up to two years in jail.

APPOINTMENTS

Tourism Australia has appointed Kerry I'Anson to the position of Global Public Relations Manager. Kerry has a wealth of international PR and media experience and was most recently employed with Sensis. She will be responsible for TA's international media unit and for the development and implementation of the global PR strategy.

Julia Angove has joined the South Australian Tourism Commission as Public Relations Manager. Julia has an extensive background in public relations and comes to the SATC from Hughes Public Relations. Former Public Relations manager Jodie van Deventer has been promoted to the new role of Manager, E-marketing and Communications at the SATC.

For only the second time in 20 years, two consecutive Adelaide Bank Festivals of Arts will be driven by the same creative vision. Brett Sheehy has been appointed Artistic Director of the 2008 festival, as he gears up for the March 3 opening of the 2006 festival, which he is overseeing in the same role.

Penny Rafferty is the new General Manager of Peppers Hermitage, the luxury vineyard accommodation in the Barossa. Penny has previously worked as General Manager of Chateau Tanunda, in corporate development for The Australian Opera, as a Marketing Director in London supporting major British performing arts organisations, and as Sponsorship and Marketing Director for South African-based Spier Festival.

David Cowperthwaite has rejoined the Clare Valley Tourism Marketing Committee as Chairman. He had previously been a member of the inaugural Committee. David and his wife Julie have been involved in various tourism pursuits in the Clare Valley for the past nine years. They currently operate tour company Clare Valley Experiences, and Clare Blue Wines, a new direct mail and wholesale company.

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