Autumnal romance is descending on South Australia as the 'Festival State' woos tourists away from the Hong Kong chill to sample Lunar New Year and Valentine's Day in and around Adelaide.
It's balmy Down Under, and the state is offering a host of attractions that coincide with Valentine's Day and Lunar New Year. Activities range from gourmet activities to sporting events and film festivals.
The City of Adelaide and its famous Central Market is the starting point for food and wine lovers, where creating your own gourmet picnic complete with a bottle from the vineyards of South Australia, and then watching the street performers is a favourite activity.
On the sporting front, star spot goes to Lance Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France winner who is competing in his comeback race - the Tour Down Under, which climaxes on Sunday.
Keen cyclists have also been invited to take part in special legs of the Tour Down Under, which is open to children and families. For those who have missed these events, however, mountain and other biking opportunities abound in the city or further afield, such as the wilderness of the Flinders Ranges near Wilpena, about 420km north of Adelaide, where Barking Gecko Tours arrange biking trips that take in the stunning scenery.
Slightly less arduous than pedalling, but no less exhilarating, is the Adelaide Film Festival which runs from February 19 to March 1. It is the only Australian festival that both screens and finances films, and features world premieres, special screenings, film forums and more.
Cultural events continue with Womadelaide's world music performances amid the green surroundings of Adelaide's Botanic Gardens from March 6-8. The Adelaide Fringe (February 27 to March 22) was established in 1960 and is billed as the largest fringe festival in the southern hemisphere with the Adelaide International Buskers Festival and the Fringe Family Weekend among the highlights.