Stanthorpe, Airlie Beach and Toogoolawah have taken out the top honours at the Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s 2026 Top Tourism Town and Top Tour Guide Awards with gold winners now advancing to the national finals.
In May, Stanthorpe was named Queensland’s 2026 Top Tourism Town, while Airlie Beach has just claimed Top Small Tourism Town for the second year and Toogoolawah won Top Tiny Tourism Town.
The gold list spans the state: Stanthorpe anchors the cool-climate Granite Belt wine and produce region, Airlie Beach is the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef and Toogoolawah sits in the Somerset region west of Brisbane.
Silver honours went to Port Douglas in Tropical North Queensland (Top Small Tourism Town) and Hughenden in Outback Queensland (Top Tiny Tourism Town). Esk (Queensland Country) and Cape Tribulation (Tropical North Queensland) took bronze in their respective categories.
The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) 2026 Top Tourism Town Awards recognise destinations and tourism ambassadors that demonstrate excellence in visitor experience, community engagement, destination marketing and tourism leadership.
Each gold winner will now represent Queensland at the Australian 2026 Top Tourism Town Awards later this year.
The Outback ambassador who took out Top Tour Guide
The Top Tour Guide Award went to Jeb Connelly of Gems Tag A Long Tours in Outback Queensland. A proud Pitta Pitta man from the Sapphire Gemfields, Connelly blends Indigenous cultural knowledge, Outback storytelling and hands-on fossicking experiences.
Guy Watson of Urban Tours took silver and Paul Porteous of Cairns Adventure Group took bronze in the guide category.
QTIC CEO Natassia Wheeler said the winners represent the diversity, passion and professionalism that make Queensland one of Australia’s leading tourism destinations.
“These awards celebrate the communities and individuals who go above and beyond to create memorable visitor experiences and showcase the very best of Queensland,” Wheeler said.
“From the Granite Belt to the Whitsundays and the Somerset region, our winners demonstrate the important role tourism plays in supporting local jobs, businesses and communities.
“Tourism is ultimately about people and place. These destinations have shown a strong commitment to welcoming visitors and delivering experiences that encourage people to stay longer, spend more and return again.”
On the Top Tour Guide award winner, Wheeler said Connelly “exemplifies the passion, knowledge and dedication that help bring Queensland’s destinations to life.
“What makes Jeb’s story particularly inspiring is that he has built a successful tourism business through lived experience, passion and a deep commitment to sharing his culture. He guides with humility, kindness and an innate ability to make every guest feel valued and included.”
KARRYON UNPACKS: The 2026 Top Tourism Towns shortlist is a ready-made map of regional Queensland beyond the big-ticket names. The nod to Gems Tag A Long Tours also points to a growing appetite for Indigenous-led and Outback experiences that offer clients something genuinely different.
