Winners of the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards celebrated in Darwin

On Friday, March 15, the prestigious 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards brought together over 180 leading operators, to showcase innovation and excellence in the tourism and accommodation industry.

Hosted at the Darwin Convention Centre, the event celebrated exceptional achievements across 26 categories, highlighting accommodation and tourism businesses that prioritise quality and visitor experience. 

Read the summer print edition of AccomNews HERE

Shaun de Bruyn, Chairperson of the Australian Tourism Awards, emphasised the exceptional level of competition and dedication demonstrated by tourism operators in developing extraordinary visitor experiences. He lauded the commitment of these businesses to deliver world-class experiences to visitors from across Australia and around the globe.

One notable addition to this year’s awards was the Excellence in Accessible Tourism category, aimed at encouraging businesses to implement inclusive practices and offer accessible-friendly tourism products and experiences. Mr. de Bruyn expressed hope that this initiative would lead to more businesses adapting their products to be inclusive, allowing a wider range of visitors to enjoy Australian destinations.

Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism, commended tourism businesses and their staff for their contributions to the vibrant tourism industry. He expressed confidence in the sector’s bright future, acknowledging the critical role played by tourism operators in delivering exceptional experiences.

The awards ceremony recognised businesses across various categories, with notable winners including the following:

Caravan & Holiday Parks:

• Gold: BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, QLD
• Silver: Alivio Tourist Park Canberra, CBR
• Bronze: NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park, VIC

These winners stood out for their dedication to providing quality accommodation and exceptional visitor experiences in the caravan and holiday park sector.

In addition to highlighting excellence in accommodation, the awards also recognised businesses for their commitment to accessibility:

Excellence in Accessible Tourism:

• Gold: Adelaide Fringe, SA
• Silver: Accessible Accommodation, VIC
• Bronze: Katherine Outback Experience, NT

These businesses demonstrated outstanding efforts in ensuring that their facilities and services are accessible to all visitors, furthering the goal of inclusive tourism experiences.

Other notable winners accross the accommodation sector included:

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 CBR

BRONZE – Woodhouse Adventure Park SA

Hosted Accommodation

GOLD – The Dragonfly Inn TAS

SILVER – Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat QLD

BRONZE – Kangaroo Ridge Retreat VIC

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 and Spa | Adults Tropical Escapes QLD

SILVER – Chocolate Gannets VIC

BRONZE – Pullman Bunker Bay Resort WA

The 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards underscored the industry’s commitment to quality, innovation, and accessibility. With a focus on providing exceptional experiences for all visitors, the event celebrated the achievements of businesses that continue to raise the bar in Australian tourism.

Over 88 percent of businesses awarded at the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards are Quality Tourism Accredited Businesses, demonstrating the vital role of accreditation in supporting businesses to deliver quality tourism experiences.

57 of the Gold, Silver and Bronze winners also held Sustainable Tourism Accreditation, meeting the higher business standards of environmental management and sustainable tourism operations. This strong representation of Quality Tourism and Sustainable Tourism accredited businesses was a true testament to the incredible outcomes possible for businesses that achieve accreditation through the Quality Tourism Framework suite of programs.

Erin McLeod, CEO, Australian Tourism Industry Council said: “These businesses are continuously developing their products and services to provide exceptional visitor experience. This has positioned them well to take out top honours and continue to develop and grow their business further.

“The Quality Tourism Framework not only supports businesses in their efforts for success, but also provides the wider community with peace of mind and confidence when making their travel choices by highlighting reliable, quality tourism products and services through the Quality Tourism Accredited Business brandmark.

As the tourism industry looks ahead, the announcement that Adelaide, South Australia, will host the 2024 Australian Tourism Awards signals continued opportunities for growth and excellence in the years to come.

The 2023 awards were supported by returning naming rights sponsor, Qantas, as well as Platinum Sponsor, Tourism Australia, and Host Partners, the Northern Territory Government and Tourism NT. The awards were also supported by numerous Partners and Sponsors including GetAboutAble, the Big Red Group, Darwin Convention Centre, the Airport Development Group and Signature Media.

Other awards included:

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 CBR

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 and Region Visitors Centre CBR

SILVER – Mandurah Visitor Centre WA

BRONZE – Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre SA

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 and Services

GOLD – Origins Market WA
SILVER – The Museum Shop at the National Museum of Australia CBR

BRONZE – Go Adventure Nagambie VIC

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 CBR

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 and Events

GOLD – National Capital Authority – Lights on the Lake CBR

SILVER – 2023 Ord Valley Muster WA

BRONZE – Tumbafest Inc NSW

Major Festivals and Events

GOLD – Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers QLD

SILVER – Tesselaar KaBloom VIC

BRONZE – Darwin Festival NT