Don't let fruit fly make it a bad round!
Wednesday 11 February 2026
With thousands of visitors expected to travel to Adelaide for the upcoming LIV Golf tournament, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is reminding travellers not to pack a pest.
Recent outbreaks in Murtho and Holder in the Riverland, and a metropolitan outbreak in Elizabeth East, serve as a clear reminder that community behaviour plays a critical role in eradication efforts.
PIRSA Fruit Fly Response Program General Manager Jason Size said travellers must respect movement controls and leave restricted fruit and vegetables behind or face a heavy fine.
“Preventing the spread of fruit fly plays a vital role in fruit fly eradication effort, which is helping protect South Australia’s valuable horticulture industry,” Mr Size said.
“Travellers need to understand South Australian rules for moving their produce and the consequences of breaching them.”
Anyone caught with restricted fruit and vegetables at quarantine stations, or at random roadblocks that are set up after disposal bins, face a $420 fine.
Fines can be avoided by disposing of restricted produce in clearly marked quarantine bins located across the state.
There are approved ways to prepare many fruit and vegetables, including restricted items, so they can be moved safely without spreading fruit fly.
When fruit and vegetable are canned, cooked, dried, frozen, grated, or pureed, the threat of fruit fly spread is neutralised.
Importantly, movement restrictions still apply to sliced or mashed fruit as these methods do not reduce the risk of spreading fruit fly.
“Our message is simple, know the rules, do the right thing, and avoid the penalties,” Mr Size said.
Travellers can check current fruit fly restrictions and maps at fruitfly outbreaks
A full list of restricted fruit and vegetables can be found at restricted produce.
For more information about fruit fly, visit fruitfly.sa.gov.au or call the 24-Hour Fruit Fly Hotline on 1300 666 010.
Current outbreak end dates
As of Wednesday 11 February 2026, the end dates for all outbreaks are as follows:
- Riverland: 29 April 2026
- Elizabeth East: 22 April 2026
- Glynde: 31 March 2026
Contact
PIRSA Family and Business (FaB) mentors are available to support Riverland residents through this challenging time. FaB mentors are available for free, informal, confidential, and independent conversation in person or over the phone.
Riverland and Murraylands FaB mentors include Robyn Cain (0411 633 085), John Chase (0419 848 672), and Brent Fletcher (0439 409 430). Learn more at FaB mentors or call the FaB mentors directly.