Tourist agency set up by South Australian government in 1908 before many changes of name and operation
A motor charabanc or touring bus in 1926 outside The Intelligence and Tourist Bureau in the South Australia government offices on King William Street, Adelaide city. At left is the Prince Alfred Hotel before it became part of the Adelaide Town Hall.
Image courtesy State Library of South Australia
The South Australian government created an agency called the State Tourist Bureau in 1908, including an office at Adelaide’s Outer Harbor.
The agency had a series of new names as its role adjusted and expanded:
• 1910: The Intelligence and Tourist Bureau.
• 1924: Immigration, Intelligence and Tourist Bureau.
• 1928: Government Publicity and Tourist Bureau.
• 1958: Immigration, Publicity and Tourist Bureau.
• 1972: South Australian Government Tourist Bureau.
• 1981: South Australian Government Travel Centre.
• 1993: South Australian Tourist Commission.
South Australia had growing confidence from the 1880s in the city of Adelaide impressing visitors with parks, gardens, “imposing buildings”, especially along North Terrace with its library, art galley and museum, botanic garden and zoo. They were supported by out-of-town destinations such as the Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula with beach resorts at Victor Harbor and Port Elliot, and the suburban beaches of Glenelg, Brighton and Semaphore.
Regions such as Kangaroo Island, the southeast, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley in the mid north, and the River Murray attracted visitors since the early 20th Century. The popular Gulf Trip pleasure cruises (1906 to 1955) connected Adelaide with many port towns on Eyre Peninsula and Yorke Peninsula.
Before paid annual leave was introduced in the 1930s, only the wealthy could afford to travel for extended periods, most working people only taking day excursions. The Adelaide Hills and the Brighton and Glenelg coastal resorts were the most popular destinations among Adelaide residents and visitors to the city.
After World War II, paid annual leave increased to two weeks and growing car ownership enabled people to travel to previously inaccessible places like the Flinders Ranges and along the coast and the River Murray, away from main public transport routes. Caravanning and camping became popular.