Queensland tourism operators have been recognised for standout contributions to the state’s visitor economy at the 40th Queensland Tourism Awards in Brisbane.
The event drew more than 900 industry representatives to celebrate achievements across one of Australia’s most diverse tourism landscapes.
Winners reflected the breadth of Queensland’s offering. Among the big gold winners were Gold Coast’s GC Aqua Park for Major Tourist Attraction, Cape York Motorcycle Adventures for Adventure Tourism, Cape York Peninsula Lodge Award for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences, Reef House Adults Retreat for 5 Star Luxury Accommodation and Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort for 4 to 4.5 Star Accommodation.
Delivered by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council and supported by Queensland Airports Limited, the awards follow months of mentoring, assessment and capability-building for entrants across the state.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) CEO Natassia Wheeler said the milestone year recognises both effort and evolution within the sector.
“The businesses we celebrate tonight have invested in their people, their experiences and their communities – and that’s what will help shape Queensland’s reputation as a global destination,” she said.
“Tourism is one of Queensland’s most important economic pillars – supporting more than 260,000 jobs and contributing billions to the economy each year.
“As we look towards Brisbane 2032, there’s never been a more critical time to recognise and strengthen the talent that underpins our success.”
Queensland Minister for Tourism Andrew Powell praised operators for their creativity and resilience, noting the strength of regional businesses in particular.
“Queensland is the home of the holiday, and for good reason,” Powell remarked.
“The awards are a public recognition of the sensational offerings put forward by operators the length and breadth of the state.
“But the real recognition is from the millions of visitors to Queensland, who take home memories of an incredible destination with incredible people making their visit unique.”
Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Craig Davidson added that the awards highlight an industry committed to growth, collaboration and competitiveness.
“Tonight, we celebrate the very best of Queensland tourism, the businesses and individuals who set the benchmark for excellence,” he said.
“It’s fantastic to see every corner of our state represented and to feel the spirit of collaboration that defines our industry.”
Tim Booth, CEO of Tourism Whitsundays, said the eight gongs the Whitsundays took home showed how region continues to “punch well above its weight”.
“These awards really shine a light on the dedication and hard work happening across The Whitsundays every day,” he stated.
“It’s this commitment to creating unforgettable experiences that makes The Whitsundays such a standout across Australia.”
The ceremony also closed Tourism Week 2025, rounding out several days of strategic industry engagement and future-focused discussion.
KARRYON UNPACKS: What really jumps out this year is the depth of talent across Queensland. Big names shared the stage with small, homegrown operators, reminding the trade that some of Australia’s most compelling experiences sit well beyond the major hubs. For advisors, this list is a fresh cue to look wider, think regional and keep Queensland’s evolving product mix firmly on the radar.
2025 Queensland Tourism Award winners:
Major Tourist Attractions, sponsored by Queensland Airports
- Gold: GC Aqua Park, Gold Coast
- Silver: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast
- Bronze: SkyPoint, Gold Coast
- Highly Commended: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Brisbane
Tourist Attractions, sponsored by Intrepid Travel
- Gold: The Crystal Caves, Tropical North Queensland
- Silver: Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World, Sunshine Coast
- Bronze: Daintree Discovery Centre, Tropical North Queensland
Major Festivals & Events, sponsored by Oztix
- Gold: Blues on Broadbeach 2025, Gold Coast
- Silver: Savannah in the Round, Tropical North Queensland
- Bronze: Noosa Triathlon, Sunshine Coast
Festivals & Events, sponsored by Containers for Change
- Gold: Abbey Medieval Festival, Brisbane
- Silver: Rockynats 05, Capricorn
- Bronze: Festival of Outback Skies, Outback Queensland
The Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism, sponsored by Queensland Government
- Gold: Fun Over 50 Holidays – Immersive Tours and Adventures, Brisbane
- Silver: Daintree Discovery Centre, Tropical North Queensland
- Bronze: Paronella Park, Tropical North Queensland
- Highly Commended: Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours, Tropical North Queensland
Cultural Tourism, sponsored by Queensland Performing Arts Centre
- Gold: Fun Over 50 Holidays – Immersive Tours and Adventures, Brisbane
- Silver: Queensland Music Trails – The Outback Trail, Outback Queensland
- Bronze: Paronella Park, Tropical North Queensland
- Highly Commended: Jarramali Rock Art Tours, Tropical North Queensland
Award for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences, sponsored by The Star Entertainment Group
- Gold: Cape York Peninsula Lodge, Tropical North Queensland
- Silver: Saltwater Eco Tours, Sunshine Coast
- Bronze: Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Gold Coast
Tourism, Retail, Hire & Services, sponsored by Cobber
- Gold: Shute Harbour Marine Terminal, Whitsundays
- Silver: Whitsunday Coast Airport, Whitundays
- Bronze: Drive Queensland, Tropical North Queensland
Visitor Information Services, sponsored by The Tourism Group
- Gold: St George Region Explore Centre, Outback Queensland
- Silver: Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre, Brisbane
- Bronze: Quilpie Visitor Information Centre, Museum and Gallery, Outback Queensland
Business Event Venues
- Gold: Cairns Convention Centre, Tropical North Queensland
- Silver: Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast
- Bronze: Tamborine Mountain Glades, Gold Coast
Major Tour & Transport Operators, sponsored by Queensland Airports Ltd
- Gold: Fun Over 50 Holidays – Immersive Tours and Adventures, Brisbane
- Silver: Outback Aussie Tours, Outback Queensland
- Bronze: Cairns Adventure Group, Tropical North Queensland
Tour & Transport Operators, sponsored by Bishopp Outdoor Advertising
- Gold: Iconic Whitsunday Adventures, Whitsundays
- Silver: Cape York Motorcycle Adventures, Tropical North Queensland
- Bronze: Queensland Helicopters, Outback Queensland
- Highly Commended: Stradbroke Island Tours, Brisbane
Adventure Tourism, sponsored by Big Red Group
- Gold: Cape York Motorcycle Adventures, Tropical North Queensland
- Silver: Iconic Whitsunday Adventures, Whitsundays
- Bronze: Cairns Adventure Group, Tropical North Queensland
The Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing & Campaigns, sponsored by Tourism Australia
- Gold: The Lifetime of Greatness Project, Tropical North Queensland
- Silver: Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, Queensland Country
- Bronze: Explore Rockhampton Major Event Campaign, Capricorn
Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services, sponsored by TAFE Queensland
- Gold: Devon Pixies, Brisbane
- Silver: Wine & Dine’m Catering, Brisbane
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Catering Services
- Gold: Beenleigh Artisan Distillery, Brisbane
- Silver: Bundaberg Rum Distillery, Bundaberg
- Bronze: Western Queensland Spirit Distillery & Cellar Door, Outback Queensland
Caravanning & Holiday Parks, sponsored by Caravanning Queensland
- Gold: BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park and Motel, Gold Coast
- Silver: Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park, Gold Coast
- Bronze: Broadwater Tourist Park, Gold Coast
- Highly Commended: Cape York Camping Punsand Bay, Tropical North Queensland
Hosted Accommodation
- Gold: Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat, Sunshine Coast
- Silver: Clandulla Cottages & Farmstay, Brisbane
- Bronze: The Country House at Hunchy, Sunshine Coast
Unique Accommodation, Hosted by Tourism & Events Moreton Bay
- Gold: Whitsunday Escape, Whitsundays
- Silver: Mitchell Grass Retreat, Outback Queensland
- Bronze: High Valley Dawn Permaculture Farm, Capricorn
Self Contained Accommodation, sponsored by ARAMA
- Gold: Pinnacles Airlie Beach, Whitsundays
- Silver: Ridgemill Estate Winery and Cabins in the Vineyard, Queensland Country
- Bronze: Holiday Holiday, Gold Coast
3 to 3.5 Star Accommodation, sponsored by Ernst & Young
- Gold: Lazy Lizard Motor Inn, Tropical North Queensland
- Silver: Great Keppel Island Hideaway, Capricorn
- Bronze: Wongai Beach Hotel, Tropical North Queensland
4 to 4.5 Star Accommodation, sponsored by Resly
- Gold: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, Tropical North Queensland
- Silver: Quest Mackay on Gordon, Mackay
- Bronze: Diamondvale Estate, Queensland Country
- Highly Commended: Cape York Peninsula Lodge, Tropical North Queensland
5 Star Luxury Accommodation, sponsored by Sofitel Brisbane Central
- Gold: Reef House Adults Retreat, Tropical North Queensland
- Silver: Crystalbrook Vincent, Brisbane
- Bronze: InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef, Whitsundays
New Tourism Business
- Gold: Turtle Sands Nature Resort, Bundaberg
- Silver: Nautical By Nature Mackay, Mackay
- Bronze: Distillery Road Market, Brisbane
Excellence in Food Tourism, sponsored by Gallagher
- Gold: Scenic Rim Regional Council – Scenic Rim Eat Local Movement, Brisbane
- Silver: Maleny Cheese Cafe, Sunshine Coast
Excellence in Accessible Tourism, sponsored by Queensland Airports Ltd
- Gold: Bay Island Lifestyle, Brisbane
- Silver: GC Wake Park, Gold Coast
Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or Volunteer Group, sponsored by AVIS
- Gold: Brisbane Visitor Information & Booking Centre, Brisbane
- Silver: Brisbane Airport Ambassador Program, Brisbane
- Bronze: Bowen Tourism and Business Volunteers, Whitsundays
The Stephen Gregg Award for Young Achiever of the Year, sponsored by Experience Gold Coast
- Gold: Eloise Chaffers, Capricorn
The Marie Watson-Blake Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual, sponsored by Channel Seven
- Gold: Stewart Moore, EarthCheck
RACQ People’s Choice – Experiences and Services
- Paronella Park, Tropical North Queensland
RACQ People’s Choice – Accommodation
- Tamborine Mountain Glades, Gold Coast
