Winners of the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards celebrated in Darwin
Quality accommodation, visitor experiences and accessibility shine at the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards
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.
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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
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