The very genial Paul Victory, promoting Kangaroo Island with Sealink Travel Group
John Daw, Marketing Manager, the Americas for South Australia with Renée Cornelissen of Great Southern Rail and
Craig Wickham of Kangaroo Island
One of the surprising underground rooms at the Desert Cave Underground Hotel
“I’ve heard of high tea in the U.K. but never Down Under,” I told a girlfriend when I received an invitation to afternoon high tea from the folks at South Australia. “What’s an Australian high tea?”
“Beer,” she replied. “I’m just guessing.”
Well it was much more elegant than beer, and also included a warm reception from a contingent of some 10 visitors from Oz at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Toronto. The event was all about educating industry types about the attractions of this state, which is located in the centre of the south coast of the island nation.
Aside from its charming state capital Adelaide, “The only city in the world surrounded by parklands”, the state seems to have all that many visitors envision when planning a trip to Australia. Amazing Wildlife, from penguins to kangaroos. The Outback with its lunar landscapes and dramatic scenery… and Wine. Did you know that the state of South Australia produces 2/3 of Australia’s export wine? Hence what our hosts called the W.O.W. factor.
We learned about the Desert Cave Underground Hotel, where mother nature provides climate control in surprisingly comfortable-looking rooms located underground. Originally founded as an opal-mining community, the town of Coober Pedy now also hosts tourists on mine tours, bizarre rounds of golf on “browns” of sand rather than ‘greens’ and 4X4 tours of the harsh desert terrain.
Kangaroo Island sounds like a great destination for the nature lover. Known as ‘Australia’s Galapagos Islands’ the region boasts seals, kangaroos, sea lions, birds of prey and koalas. Wilderness areas, kayaking and whale watching (as well as enjoying local artisanal honeys and cheese) are touristic highlights. But if you think this sounds a little too rugged, check out Kangaroo Island’s 6 star South Ocean Lodge, one of just five hotels on the island. It’s been called the finest hotel in the world.
And the high tea? Not a brewski in sight. Lots of dainty sandwiches (sans crusts, of course) berries and scones, wee cakes, tea and coffee. Oh, and some delightful Penfolds Wine.
I’m definitely thinking we should introduce the custom of High Tea – Canadian style.
