Australia’s best tourism businesses were honoured at the glittering Qantas Australian Tourism Awards held in Tasmania’s Cataract Gorge last week.
Among the winners at the 800-guest event was the industry itself, with shadow minister for tourism Anthony Albanese announcing a plan to dedicate $6 million to diversifying Australian tourism.
The pledge was welcomed by Australian Tourism Industry Council chair Evan Hall, who said it would allow tourism businesses to create new experiences, improve service quality and promote themselves to the world.
Other big winners were Australia Zoo’s wildlife warriors the Irwin family, with Bindi, Terri and Robert all crowned Australian Tourism Legends for their promotional efforts.
Tourism Australia managing director John O’Sullivan said: “Obviously Steve started it off, but following in his footsteps we now have Terri, Bindi and Robert advocating that uniquely Australian lifestyle which underpins the very appeal of our country’s rich and varied tourism experiences.
“Interestingly, when doing our market research for our 2018 Dundee campaign we found that, along with Crocodile Dundee, the Irwins were the most highly associated with best representing this Australian way of life.
“The warmth and authenticity they personify is a real point of difference for Australia.”
Broome’s Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures was inducted into the Hall of Fame after picking up awards for Adventure Tourism, Unique Accommodation and Tourist Attractions. The family-owned business provides unique tourism experiences across WA’s wild north, its services ranging from luxury accommodation to helicopter tours, fishing charters and seaplanes.
The MACq 01 in Hobart picked up the award for Deluxe Accommodation and Nitmiluk Tours and Cicada Lodge in the Northern Territory won for Luxury Accommodation, as well as picking up the gong for Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services.
The Frames in South Australia was voted top Self-contained Accommodation, Victoria’s Cave Hill Creek took the award for Standard Accommodation, Queensland’s BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort was crowned best Caravan and Holiday Park and The Beach House at Bayside in WA was named best Hosted Accommodation.
Federal tourism minister Simon Birmingham paid tribute to the quality of tourism experiences on offer throughout Australia, saying the record numbers of tourists flocking Down Under “doesn’t just happen by accident”.
“It’s due to the passion, commitment and creativity of all those in the industry,” he said.
The gold, silver and bronze award winners of the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, listed in order, are:
Major Tourist Attractions
Port Arthur Historic Site, Tas
National Gallery of Australia, ACT
Busselton Jetty, WA
Tourist Attractions
Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures, WA
Capricorn Caves, Qld
Katherine Outback Experience, NT
Major Festivals & Events
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, Qld
Formula 1® 2018 Rolex Australian Grand Prix, Vic
Splendour in the Grass 2017, NSW
Festivals & Events
Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo, Qld
CinefestOZ, WA
Parkes Shire Council — 2018 Parkes Elvis Festival, NSW
Ecotourism
Fun Over Fifty, Qld
Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park, Vic
Three Capes Track, Tas
Cultural Tourism
Port Arthur Historic Site, Tas
Paronella Park, Qld
Fremantle Prison, WA
Qantas Award for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism
Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours and Experiences, WA
Nitmiluk Tours and Cicada Lodge, NT
Mossman Gorge Centre, Qld
Specialised Tourism Services
Proud Mary, SA
Small World Journeys, Qld
Willie Creek Pearls at Elizabeth Quay, WA
Visitor Information Services
Swan Valley Visitor Centre, WA
Canberra and Region Visitors Centre, ACT
Tourism Central Australia, NT
Business Event Venues
Adelaide Hills Convention Centre, SA
Holmesglen at Eildon, Vic
Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Qld
Major Tour & Transport Operators
Red Cat Adventures, Qld
Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, Tas
SkyBus, Vic
Tour & Transport Operators
Kimberley Quest, WA
Ocean Safari, Qld
Autopia Tours — Small Group Adventures, Vic
Adventure Tourism
Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures, WA
Roaring 40s Kayaking, Tas
Calypso Star Charters, SA
Destination Marketing
Pie Time, Southern Highlands, NSW
Shoalhaven Tourism — 100 Beach Challenge Campaign, NSW
Yorke Peninsula Tourism, SA
Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services
Cicada Lodge Restaurant at Nitmiluk Gorge, NT
Sandalford Wines, WA
Royal Mail Hotel, Vic
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries
Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience, Qld
Seppeltsfield Estate, SA
Willie Smith’s Apple Shed, Tas
Caravan & Holiday Parks
BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, Qld
NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park, Tas
RAC Cervantes Holiday Park, WA
Hosted Accommodation
The Beach House at Bayside, WA
Cobbold Village, Qld
Mulberry Lodge Country Retreat, SA
Unique Accommodation
Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures — The Horizontal Hotel, WA
Whitsunday Escape, Qld
Jamala Wildlife Lodge, ACT
Self-Contained Accommodation
The Frames, SA
Avalon Coastal Retreat, Tas
Balingup Heights Hilltop Forest Cottages, WA
Standard Accommodation
Cave Hill Creek, Vic
Grand Hotel and Apartments Townsville, Qld
Leumeah Lodge, ACT
Deluxe Accommodation
MACq 01 Hotel, Tas
Wallaroo Marina Apartments, SA
Kununurra Country Club Resort, WA
Luxury Accommodation
Cicada Lodge at Nitmiluk Gorge, NT
Alkina Lodge, Vic
RACV Royal Pines Resort, Qld
New Tourism Business
St Andrews Beach Brewery, Vic
Blue Ginger Picnics, NSW
Vasse Virgin at Seppeltsfield, SA
Excellence in Food Tourism
Two Feet & a Heartbeat, WA
Sarina Sugar Shed, Qld
Coal River Farm, Tas
Australian Tourism Legend
The Irwin family
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