The 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards spotlighted the country’s top tourism operators at the award-winning Darwin Convention Centre recently with Gold, Silver and Bronze recipients recognised from more than 180 tourism businesses nationwide.
The Australian Tourism Industry Council’s premier event had 26 categories, including the new Excellence in Accessible Tourism award to encourage more operators to implement inclusive business practices.
The inaugural winner was Adelaide Fringe, which took out Gold, followed by Accessible Accommodation (Vic) and the NT’s Katherine Outback Experience (which also won top Tourist Attraction).
Other notable winners included Tasmania’s wukalina Walk for best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experience and Queensland’s Fun Over 50 Holidays – Immersive Tours and Adventures, which took out the Ecotourism award and Silver in the Cultural Tourism category.
For Tourism Marketing & Campaigns, The Tweed Tourism Company received Gold followed by Rockhampton Regional Council for Explore Rockhampton and Visit Mandurah (WA) for its ‘BIG Reasons to visit Mandurah’ promotion.
On Board Tasmanian luxury expedition cruises was recognised as the top New Tourism Business along with WA’s Nexus Airlines and Port River Cruises in SA.
Australia’s 5-star Luxury Accommodation winners were The Reef House Boutique Hotel & Spas (Qld), Chocolate Gannets (Vic) and Pullman Bunker Bay Resort (WA), which also took out Bronze for best Business Event Venue. Host venue Darwin Convention Centre was awarded Gold in the same category.
Australian Tourism Awards Chair Shaun de Bruyn said there was exceptional competition across all categories in this year’s awards.
“[This] demonstrates the dedication tourism operators have to develop extraordinary visitor experiences,” he said.
Federal Minister for Trade & Tourism Don Farrell said: “Tourism businesses are the backbone of our vibrant tourism industry, delivering world-class experiences to visitors from across Australia and around the world. The bright future of the sector couldn’t be in better hands.”
The full list of national winners is:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experience
- GOLD – wukalina Walk Tas
- SILVER – Cape York Peninsula Lodge Qld
- BRONZE – Ngurrangga Tours WA
Ecotourism
- GOLD – Fun Over 50 Holidays – Immersive Tours and Adventures Qld
- SILVER – Sydney by Kayak NSW
- BRONZE – National Arboretum Canberra ACT
Self Contained Accommodation
- GOLD – The Woods Ocean Grove Vic
- SILVER – Tree Chalets WA
- BRONZE – The Granary | Richmond Hill Tas
Unique Accommodation
- GOLD – Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm WA
- SILVER – Jamala Wildlife Lodge ACT
- BRONZE – Woodhouse Adventure Park SA
Hosted Accommodation
- GOLD – The Dragonfly Inn Tas
- SILVER – Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat Qld
- BRONZE – Kangaroo Ridge Retreat Vic
Caravan & Holiday Parks
- GOLD – BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort Qld
- SILVER – Alivio Tourist Park Canberra ACT
- BRONZE – NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park Vic
Tourism Marketing & Campaigns
- GOLD – The Tweed Tourism Company NSW
- SILVER – Rockhampton Regional Council – Explore Rockhampton Qld
- BRONZE – BIG Reasons to visit Mandurah – Visit Mandurah WA
New Tourism Business
- GOLD – On Board Tas
- SILVER – Nexus Airlines WA
- BRONZE – Port River Cruises SA
Visitor Information Services
- GOLD – Canberra & Region Visitors Centre ACT
- SILVER – Mandurah Visitor Centre WA
- BRONZE – Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre SA
3 – 3.5 Star Accommodation
- GOLD – Urban Camp Melbourne Vic
- SILVER – ibis Adelaide SA
- BRONZE – Magnums Accommodation Airlie Beach Qld
4 – 4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation
- GOLD – Beach Huts Middleton SA
- SILVER – Ship Inn Stanley Tas
- BRONZE – Cape York Peninsula Lodge Qld
5 Star Luxury Accommodation
- GOLD – The Reef House Boutique Hotel & Spa | Adults Tropical Escapes Qld
- SILVER – Chocolate Gannets Vic
- BRONZE – Pullman Bunker Bay Resort WA
Business Event Venues
- GOLD – Darwin Convention Centre NT
- SILVER – Peppers Silo Hotel Tas
- BRONZE – Pullman Bunker Bay Resort WA
Tour & Transport Operators
- GOLD – Air Adventure Golf Tas
- SILVER – Swan River Seaplanes WA
- BRONZE – NT Bird Specialists Birding & Photographic Safaris NT
Major Tour & Transport Operators
- GOLD – Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Tas
- SILVER – Ocean Rafting Qld
- BRONZE – Searoad Ferries Vic
Adventure Tourism
- GOLD – Ocean Rafting Qld
- SILVER – Bendleby Ranges SA
- BRONZE – Balloon Aloft Australia NSW
Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services
- GOLD – Grain of the Silos Tas
- SILVER – Potager NSW
- BRONZE – CORE Cider House WA
Tourism Retail, Hire & Services
- GOLD – Origins Market WA
- SILVER – The Museum Shop at the National Museum of Australia ACT
- BRONZE – Go Adventure Nagambie Vic
Excellence in Accessible Tourism
- GOLD – Adelaide Fringe SA
- SILVER – Accessible Accommodation Vic
- BRONZE – Katherine Outback Experience NT
Excellence in Food Tourism
- GOLD – Love Lord Howe NSW
- SILVER – The Truffle Farm – Home of Australia’s first black Truffle Tas
- BRONZE – Adelaide Showground Farmers’ Market SA
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries
- GOLD – Bangor Vineyard Shed Tas
- SILVER – Seppeltsfield Wines SA
- BRONZE – Billson’s Brewery Vic
Cultural Tourism
- GOLD – Royal Australian Mint ACT
- SILVER – Fun Over 50 Holidays – Immersive Tours and Adventures Qld
- BRONZE – Geelong Gallery Vic
Tourist Attractions
- GOLD – Katherine Outback Experience NT
- SILVER – Bundaberg Rum Distillery Visitor Experience Qld
- BRONZE – d’Arenberg SA
Major Tourist Attractions
- GOLD – Australian Reptile Park NSW
- SILVER – Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Qld
- BRONZE – Zoos Victoria – Melbourne Zoo Vic
Festivals & Events
- GOLD – National Capital Authority – Lights on the Lake ACT
- SILVER – 2023 Ord Valley Muster WA
- BRONZE – Tumbafest Inc NSW
Major Festivals & Events
- GOLD – Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Qld
- SILVER – Tesselaar KaBloom Vic
- BRONZE – Darwin Festival NT
