SA hotspots to feature in new TV series to attract international travellers

Some of SA’s best spots will be splashed over the world in a new TV series promoting Australia to international travellers. Find out which ones made the cut.

Some of SA’s best spots will be splashed over small screens across the world in a new 10-episode TV series promoting Australia to international travellers.

In a major departure from previous campaigns featuring bikini models and plush kangaroos, Tourism Australia’s Experience Australia program has been likened to a cross between a David Attenborough documentary and Getaway.

The series will sing the praises of a vast swath of the country – with season one featuring SA destinations including, Adventure Kayaking on the Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island’s Seal Bay, Coffin Bay Oyster farm on Eyre Peninsula and the Ghan.

Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island will feature in an episode of Experience Australia. Picture: Nikki Redman Photography

As will Coffin Bay Oysters. Picture: Mark Fitzpatrick

The Barossa’s Seppeltsfield Estate and Chateau Tanunda, Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges and iconic businesses such as Haighs, Jurlique and Beerenberg will feature in season two.

Narrated by actor Rachel Griffiths, each episode was created using footage captured as part of the $12m National Experience Content Initiative (NECI).

That initiative, which was funded by Tourism Australia, provided about 1500 operators nationally with new imagery and vision of their products to better promote themselves to travellers.

Wilpena Pound Resort will be featured in season two of Experience Australia. Picture: Morgan Sette

Haigh's Chocolates will also make an appearance in season two. Picture: Supplied

Along with the vines at Seppeltsfield Estate. Picture: Dragan Radocaj

As a result, Tourism Australia ended up with an enormous catalogue of material, used to create the series.

“NECI was the largest content initiative ever undertaken by Tourism Australia,” said managing director Phillipa Harrison.

“It provided around 1500 tourism operators from 57 regions around the country with the high-quality marketing materials they needed to attract visitors.”

Tourism Minister Don Farrell said the series would highlight “everything from Indigenous cultural tours to wildlife sanctuaries, mountain experiences, sailing and everything in between”.

“I’m pleased that the second season will focus on Australia’s growing agritourism sector and feature more than 100 tourism operators, including our outstanding food and wine – which is such a great draw card for visitors,” he said.

The first season of Experience Australia will appear on the Outdoor Channel which can be streamed on 7plus, and is available in 58 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.