South Australia's premium produce and world-class beverages will be in the spotlight over the next 10 days, as Tasting Australia presented by Journey Beyond gets underway across the state.
More than 150 events across all 12 of the state's tourism regions will connect foodies and festivalgoers to the unique flavours of South Australia.
Tasting Australia follows Adelaide Festival and Adelaide Fringe, plus major sporting events including the Santos Tour Down Under, Adelaide International, LIV Golf and the AFL Gather Round. Together these events contribute to record high results for the State's tourism industry.
This year's program highlights include a festival-first takeover of The Ghan with the iconic Darwin to Adelaide train journey through the outback, a seafood-inspired day trip to the Eyre Peninsula, and a day to celebrate Yorke Peninsula's talented producers.
After attracting 65,000 attendees last year, the free entry festival hub 'Town Square' returns to Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga, giving visitors a taste of the state's regional hospitality and produce offerings - enticing them to visit regional South Australia beyond the festival.
New flavours are being served with nine first-time vendors to Town Square such as Patch Kitchen, Dirty Doris and Hokey Pokey from the Adelaide Hills. Other Town Square attractions include the Seppeltsfield (Barossa) bar and Never Never (Fleurieu Peninsula) Martini Bar, as well as a main stage line-up of local musicians and DJs.
Free programming this year includes the new Homemade series, where chefs and South Australian producers share tips for home cooking success, plus the new Latte Art Smackdown and the return of Tasting Australia's hotly contested Waiters' Race.
This year's festival coincides with the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) - which is Tourism Australia's annual flagship tourism tradeshow. Town Square will welcome around 2,500 delegates from ATE, including over 700 travel buyers from 30 countries, for a special event on Monday 11 May which aims to highlight South Australia's renowned produce and beverages to those who package, sell and promote the state in their markets around the world.
The 19th edition of Tasting Australia presented by Journey Beyond is taking place in Adelaide and regional South Australia until 17 May. Visit tastingaustralia.com.au
