Don’t bend the rules: Supercars fans urged to leave fruit at home

Motorsport fans heading to The Bend Motorsport Park for the AirTouch 500 Supercars Championship round this weekend are being urged to leave restricted fruit and vegetables at home or risk a $420 fine at quarantine checkpoints.

With biosecurity already in the spotlight this week following the varroa mite detection in the Riverland, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is reminding South Australians that fruit fly remains one of the biggest ongoing threats to local growers.
More than 40,000 fans are expected at the event. With the spotlight on South Australia, PIRSA says the state’s other race – stopping fruit fly – is just as critical.

"Although Tailem Bend is not in the Riverland, interstate visitors travelling through the Riverland and travellers from outbreak areas in Adelaide should be mindful that every piece of fruit carried into the Riverland continues to pose a threat to our growers and markets," said Jason Size, General Manager of the Fruit Fly Response Program.

"We're excited to welcome visitors, but we need everyone to do their part. Eat it, bin it, or leave it at home."

Major events like this bring increased travel through outbreak areas, which heightens the risk of accidental pest spread.

Common host produce includes apples, citrus, tomatoes, capsicums, chillies, and stone fruit – all of which can harbour fruit fly maggots.

These items cannot be carried into outbreak zones unless treated using approved methods including cooking, freezing, drying, grating, canning or pureeing.

Mr Size encouraged fans to plan ahead and use the recipes and guides available online.

Dedicated quarantine bins are located along key travel routes. Find a quarantine station or disposal bin.

"Our quarantine teams are on the ground, and fines of $420 apply if you’re caught carrying restricted produce through the state or into the Riverland," Mr Size said.

"Don’t let a piece of fruit spoil your trip – or South Australia’s billion-dollar horticulture industry."

Use the outbreak map to check whether your home or travel route falls within an outbreak zone.

Detections

Below is a summary of the detections of fruit fly for the 12-week period from 9 June to 31 August 2025:

• No flies were detected in 34 of the 56 Riverland outbreak areas.
• Flies were detected in 22 of the 56 Riverland outbreak areas.

Outbreak end dates

The end dates for all outbreaks are as follows:

• Riverland: 25 December 2025
• Ceduna: 11 November 2025
• Glynde: 20 December 2025
  Salisbury North: 6 December 2025

Contact

For more information about fruit fly, self-baiting, or the latest outbreak advice, visit fruitfly.sa.gov.au or call the 24-Hour Fruit Fly Hotline on 1300 666 010.

PIRSA Family and Business (FaB) mentors are available to support Riverland residents through this challenging time. FaB mentors are available for a 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
• Brent Fletcher: 0439 409 430.