South Australia, Jim Carrey narrating Under The Sea 3D
SOUTH AUSTRALIA'S SEALIFE STARS IN JIM CARREY NARRATED IMAX 3D MOVIE - Rich in wildlife, awash with diverse sea creatures, Eyre Peninsula's sea life takes centre stage in a major new IMAX 3D film, Under the Sea 3D (http://www.imax.com/
Although the film features scenes filmed in other destinations, producer Michele Hall commented: "One of the best things for me in making this film was the opportunity to get into the water with the sea lions".
Visitors to South Australia wishing to investigate the wonderful wildlife found in the waters off the Eyre Peninsula should head for Baird Bay where Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experience (www.bairdbay.com)
RECORD BREAKING TOUR DOWN UNDER - This year's event, which took place 18-25 January 2009, was officially the biggest ever held in South Australia, breaking almost every record for a sporting event in the State. Premier, Mike Rann said, "Visitor numbers doubled, the economic impact more than doubled and the amount of media coverage increased five-fold since the 2008 event."
Tour Down Under 2009 injected a massive AUS$39 million into the South Australian economy compared to AUS$17.3 million in 2008, an increase of 125 per cent (on top of an increase of 50.4 per cent from 2007 to 2008). Premier Rann continued: "36,200 people from interstate and overseas travelled to Adelaide and South Australia specifically to watch the event, compared with 15,100 people last year".
Cycling legend, Lance Armstrong's decision to make his comeback at this year's event was considered to be a huge contributory factor. Now South Australia looks forward to hosting the Tour Down Under 2010, which will also mark the beginning of the prestigious UCI Pro Tour calendar.
17-24 JANUARY, DATES OF TOUR DOWN UNDER 2010 ANNOUNCED - Around three quarters of a million spectators are expected to watch next year's event which will begin with the Down Under Classic on Sunday 17 January, followed by the six stages of the event from Tuesday 19 to Sunday 24 January. Race routes and other details will be available soon on www.tourdownunder.com.au
Tour Down Under, Australia's premier cycling event, provides visitors and cycling enthusiasts with the opportunity of cycling sections of the race, observing the race close up, as well as meeting the famous cycling stars. Sports Tours International will be offering cycling holidays in this period with information available from April once details have been finalised. However, anyone wishing to register their interest in advance can do so via cycling@sportstoursinternational.co.uk.
GIANT PANDAS ARRIVING IN ADELAIDE - The Royal Zoological Society of South Australia www.zoossa.com.au/
This move is part of an international breeding programme designed to protect endangered species whilst the building of the panda enclosure is part of a AUS$33 million project designed to establish Adelaide Zoo as a major centre of conservation and husbandry excellence.
UNDERGROUND ACCOMMODATION IN DISUSED OPAL MINE - Radeka Downunder Underground Motel & Backpackers Inn, originally a Coober Pedy opal mine, was converted into hostel accommodation in the 1980's. Located 6.5 metres below ground, these rooms are warm in winter and cool in summer. The 'Inn' has been selected by www.hostelbookers.com as one of their 'top ten unusual/ unique hostels worldwide'.
NOTE TO EDITORS: South Australia, (http://www.southaustralia.com) known as the WOW factor state, is renowned for its prolific native wildlife with Kangaroo Island, Australia's own Galapagos, the jewel in the crown; its easy access to the Australian Outback where the rich red ochre colours of this ancient landscape change by the hour; and last but not least, for its vineyards which produce over 70 per cent of all Australia's exported wine.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
