The 2022 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards recognised and awarded the best of the best in Aussie tourism at an event at Sydney’s Dolton House on Friday night.
With 75 awards presented across 25 categories, the list of Gold, Silver and Bronze winners is vast – and reflects the breadth of Australia’s tourism industry (not to mention its excellence … oi, oi, oi).
But the winners of the most prized award/s for top Major Tourist Attraction, all have one thing in common: they’re dedicated to Aussie wildlife (i.e. cute animals … and not that which you’d find at St Kilda Beach on a sweltering day or Kings Cross on a Friday night).
Picking up Gold in the prestigious category was Adelaide Zoo, which scored the first podium in this class for a South Australian attraction.
Silver was awarded to the National Zoo & Aquarium (ACT), while Bronze went to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (Queensland).
The awards also acknowledged The Darwin Festival (Northern Territory) as the number one Festival and Event, Jamala Wildlife Lodge (ACT) as the top Unique Accommodation experience, and Mt Hay Retreat (NSW) as the best 5-Star Luxury Accommodation property.
wukalina Walk (Tasmania) picked up Gold in the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island Tourism Experience category, while Live Ningaloo (Western Australia) topped the Ecotourism category.
“Much to celebrate”
“This is the biggest annual celebration of tourism business excellence in Australia. And we have much to celebrate recognising and elevating the very best of what tourism has to offer in this great country of ours,” Australian Tourism Awards Chairperson Shaun de Bruyn said.
“Each of our award nominees have reached the status of absolute excellence in tourism and business to be here tonight – a night of reflection, triumph and solidarity for the industry.
“Australia’s tourism operators and products are truly outstanding across the board, and we’re seeing this with all states and territories represented in the winner’s pool.
“As an industry we are susceptible to many external factors, which has been highlighted over the past several years, but we continue to innovate, collaborate and come back strong.
“Many of our tourism operators are going from strength to strength, bouncing back after the worst of the pandemic.”
Along with major sponsor Qantas, Tourism Australia and Destination NSW supported the awards, which celebrate innovation and exceptional standards in tourism.
The Award Winners:
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island Tourism Experience
- GOLD- wukalina Walk TAS
- SILVER – Spirits of the Red Sand QLD
- BRONZE – Angkerle Atwatye – Standley Chasm NT
Cultural Tourism
- GOLD – Geelong Gallery VIC
- SILVER – The Cedars Hahndorf SA
- BRONZE – Venture North Safaris NT
Adventure Tourism
- GOLD – The Hike Collective WA
- SILVER- Ocean Rafting QLD
- BRONZE – Bendleby Ranges SA
New Tourism Business
- GOLD – Wildcat Mackay QLD
- SILVER – CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park VIC
- BRONZE – Sequoia Lodge SA
Tour & Transport Operators
- GOLD – Fun Over 50 Holidays QLD
- SILVER – The Hike Collective WA
- BRONZE – Air Adventure Golf TAS
Major Tour & Transport Operators
- GOLD – SeaLink WA
- SILVER- Searoad Ferries VIC
- BRONZE – Sea World Cruises QLD
Caravan & Holiday Parks
- GOLD – BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort QLD
- SILVER – BIG4 St Helens Holiday Park TAS
- BRONZE – Oasis Tourist Park NT
Hosted Accommodation
- GOLD – Bli Bli House QLD
- SILVER – Tallawarra Homestead VIC
- BRONZE – Redwing Farm SA
Unique Accommodation
- GOLD – Jamala Wildlife Lodge CBR
- SILVER – Woodhouse Activity Centre SA
- BRONZE – Mitchell Grass Retreat QLD
Self Contained Accommodation
- GOLD – The Woods Ocean Grove VIC
- SILVER – Tree Chalets WA
- BRONZE – Villa Talia TAS
Ecotourism
- GOLD – Live Ningaloo WA
- SILVER – Tasmanian Walking Company TAS
- BRONZE – Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort QLD
Tourism Retail and Hire Services
- GOLD – Willie Creek Pearls WA
- SILVER – Sydney Harbour Kayaks NSW
- BRONZE – Uluru Audio Guide NT
Visitor Information Services
- GOLD – Mudgee Region Tourism NSW
- SILVER – Quilpie Visitor Information Centre, Museum & Gallery QLD
- BRONZE – Bendigo Visitor Centre VIC
Business Event Venues
- GOLD – Pullman Bunker Bay Resort WA
- SILVER – Darwin Convention Centre NT
- BRONZE – Peppers Silo Hotel TAS
Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services
- GOLD – Char Restaurant and The Darwin Club at Admiralty House NT
- SILVER – Potager NSW
- BRONZE – Mures Tasmania TAS
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries
- GOLD – Bangor Vineyard Shed TAS
- SILVER – Courabyra Wines NSW
- BRONZE – Billson’s Brewery VIC
Excellence in Food Tourism
- GOLD – Coal River Farm TAS
- SILVER – CORE Cider House WA
- BRONZE – Margan Wines & Restaurant NSW
Tourism Marketing & Campaigns
- GOLD – ‘Viva Bendigo’ by City of Greater Bendigo VIC
- SILVER – MidCoast Council – Destination Barrington Coast NSW
- BRONZE – Tourism Tropical North Queensland QLD
3-3.5 Star Accommodation
- GOLD – Urban Camp Melbourne VIC
- SILVER – Broadwater Resort Busselton WA
- BRONZE – Magnums Unique Accommodation Airlie Beach QLD
4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation
- GOLD – Cape York Peninsula Lodge QLD
- SILVER – Ship Inn Stanley TAS
- BRONZE – The Byng Street Boutique Hotel NSW
5 Star Luxury Accommodation
- GOLD – Mt Hay Retreat NSW
- SILVER – COMO The Treasury WA
- BRONZE – Eos by SkyCity Adelaide SA
Festivals & Events
- GOLD – Outback Queensland Masters QLD
- SILVER – Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival VIC
- BRONZE – Tumbafest Inc NSW
Major Festivals & Events
- GOLD – The Darwin Festival NT
- SILVER – Tesselaar KaBloom VIC
- BRONZE – Optus Stadium – AFL Grand Final 2021 WA
Tourist Attractions
- GOLD – Bundaberg Rum Distillery Visitor Experience QLD
- SILVER – Katherine Outback Experience NT
- BRONZE – Willie Creek Pearl Farm WA
Major Tourist Attractions
- GOLD – Adelaide Zoo SA
- SILVER – National Zoo & Aquarium CBR
- BRONZE – Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary QLD
For more information on the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, visit www.qualitytourismaustralia.com/australian-tourism-awards/.