Celebrating excellence: Meet the CPAQ Award winners 2025

From innovation in accessible tourism to exceptional guest experiences and park transformations, the 2025 Caravan Parks Association of Queensland (CPAQ) Award winners represent the very best of the industry.

These awards shine a spotlight on individuals and teams going above and beyond to elevate Queensland’s holiday park experience.

Read on to meet this year’s winners and discover the stories behind each award winner.

Ron Chapman Award for Excellence. Winner: BIG4 Sandstone Point Holiday Resort

Driven by guest feedback and review scores, this award celebrates consistent operational excellence. For the third year running, BIG4 Sandstone Point topped the charts with holidays guests never forget.

BIG4 Sandstone Point has built a reputation for delivering consistently outstanding holidays, beautifully presented, wonderfully run, and packed with magic moments for guests.

From seamless check-ins to stunning facilities and next-level family fun, they’ve shown what excellence looks like, again and again.

Read the latest AccomNews Caravan and Holiday Park Special edition 2025 HERE

Gordon Harris Turnaround Award. Winner: Country Style Holiday Park

When Ben and Narelle Beadel took over Country Style Holiday Park in 2021, they inherited a rundown, neglected park with a reputation to match. Fast forward to today, and they’ve transformed it into one of Stanthorpe’s most loved destinations.

With over $1.5 million invested, they’ve rebuilt everything, from bush sites and sewage systems to cabins and customer confidence. Revenue has more than doubled, reviews have soared, and their Stanthorpe Passport initiative is driving visitor traffic across the region. Through grit, vision, and sheer determination, they’ve shown what it means to truly turn a park around, earning every bit of this recognition.

Ray Fitton Award for Innovation. Winner: Charleys Creek Chinchilla

Charleys Creek has redefined what it means to innovate in regional tourism, creating the Western Downs’ first on-site brewery, distillery, and commercial kitchen, right in the heart of their park. Built from scratch, this $1.7 million passion project faced red tape, tradie shortages, and steep learning curves.

But through sheer grit, vision, and community spirit, the result is a rustic, art-filled destination where guests can sample craft brews, enjoy local produce, and soak up live entertainment. It’s more than a park addition, it’s a game-changer for Chinchilla and a bold, brilliant example of regional tourism done right.

Highly Commended: BIG4 Caloundra

BIG4 Caloundra has set a new benchmark in accessible tourism with the introduction of Australia’s first purpose-built accessible camp kitchen. Thoughtfully designed with lowered appliances, widened pathways, sensory herb gardens, and inclusive seating, this innovation ensures every guest can enjoy cooking and connection without barriers.

Despite the challenges of construction and cost, the team delivered a space that’s both functional and beautiful. Since launch, they’ve seen a boost in accessible bookings, glowing guest feedback, and industry-wide recognition. BIG4 Caloundra’s commitment to inclusivity is not just impressive, it’s inspiring.

Simon Warner Memorial Young Achiever of the Year. Winner: Matthew McDonald – Broadwater Tourist Park

At just 24, Matthew McDonald is redefining what young leadership looks like in our industry. From managing storm recovery after Cyclone Alfred to digitalising maintenance systems and lifting staff morale, Matt blends innovation with heart.

Whether he’s unclogging drains, mentoring teammates through tough times, or flipping pancakes for hundreds of guests, he leads with humility and purpose. His selfless nature, strong operational skills, and unwavering commitment to his team and guests have already left a deep mark on Broadwater. Matt is more than a Park Manager, he’s a future leader of our industry, and this recognition is richly deserved.

Employee of the Year. Winner: Vicki Torti – Broadwater Tourist Park

For nearly 15 years, Vicki Torti has been the heart of Broadwater Tourist Park. From managing bookings in peak season to comforting distressed guests and mentoring new team members, she brings warmth, reliability, and leadership to everything she does. Vicki’s guest-first mindset has inspired loyalty, boosted revenue, and even caught the attention of the Department of Tourism, who invited her to speak as part of their mature-aged workforce campaign.

Known affectionately by guests as their “saviour,” Vicki isn’t just a team member – she’s a quiet force shaping experiences, lifting morale, and making every stay at Broadwater one to remember.

Team of the Year. Winner: Weipa Camping Ground

Operating in one of Queensland’s most remote and challenging environments, the team at Weipa Camping Ground exemplifies resilience, adaptability, and heart. From managing barge delays and tropical heat to helping a guest whose husband was airlifted out by coordinating their vehicle and personal belongings, this team goes above and beyond – every day. Whether it’s offering icy poles to overheated travellers or preparing gourmet meals for charter guests, they meet every moment with care and capability.

Their diverse team, tight-knit culture, and unwavering commitment to service have built a community that feels like home, even hundreds of kilometres from anywhere.

Outstanding Host Award. Winner: Broadwater Tourist Park

At Broadwater Tourist Park, exceptional service isn’t a strategy – it’s a way of life. Through leadership, training, and genuine care, the team has created a place where guests feel known, welcomed, and truly at home. Despite challenges like major construction noise and no wifi, their guest scores have soared, with return visitation and referrals on the rise. From cyclone clean-ups to pancake breakfasts for hundreds, every detail is handled with heart.

With service stars like Brooke, Matt, Vicki, Fred, and Wendy leading the charge, Broadwater has redefined hospitality – proving that connection, community, and kindness leave the greatest impression of all.

Highly Commended: Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park

Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park has built a culture where guests feel genuinely seen, supported, and special. From inclusive Easter events to surprise anniversary celebrations, this team goes above and beyond to create lasting memories. By investing in full-time roles, delivering targeted training, and embracing proactive feedback systems, they’ve lifted service scores and guest satisfaction across the board.

Even during major infrastructure upgrades, the team led with transparency and empathy, proving that outstanding hospitality doesn’t pause when things get tough. With service stars like Scott, Tim, Tanya, and a truly united team, Tallebudgera Creek continues to set the bar for heartfelt hospitality.

Memorable Moments Award. Winner: BIG4 Caloundra

BIG4 Caloundra’s Vintage Van Festival has quickly become a standout celebration of community, nostalgia, and shared passion. Launched in May 2024, the event brought together 45 restored vintage caravans, live music, markets, and social gatherings, all designed to boost off-peak bookings and create something truly memorable.

Occupancy soared from 49 percent to 79 percent, but the real magic happened on awards night, when a guest stood up to thank the team for creating a space where she found connection and belonging. With over 70 vans already registered for 2025, this homegrown event is now a movement – and a moment guests will never forget.

Refurbishment Award. Winner: Stanthorpe Holiday Park

Stanthorpe Holiday Park is a story of sheer determination, creativity, and vision. Purchased in a state of disrepair, with unsafe cabins, zero future bookings, and no online presence, the park has been completely transformed in just 12 months.

With no external funding, this powerhouse duo tackled it all themselves, refurbishing cabins, rebuilding infrastructure, redesigning reception and café spaces, and even launching the country’s first Japan-style sleeping pods in a caravan park.

The result? A thriving business with over 2,500 bookings in its first year, soaring occupancy, and a social media following that’s grown from 400 to over 16,500. Guests are loving the personalised, boutique feel, and locals have come on board too, with the café now acting as a community hub. Every change has been made with heart, purpose, and pure grit. Congratulations to the team at Stanthorpe Holiday Park, you’re redefining what’s possible.

Highly Commended: Country Style Holiday Park

When the new owners took over Country Style Holiday Park in late 2021, they inherited a site in serious need of love, and gave it just that. With a hands-on, heart-first approach, they’ve invested in transforming the park from rundown to remarkable.

From relocating cabins to riverside spots, rebuilding critical infrastructure, upgrading amenities, and creating welcoming communal spaces, every detail has been thoughtfully restored. Their work has not only attracted a new generation of respectful guests, but also more than doubled revenue. This is a true story of passion, persistence, and pride – highly commended and thoroughly well deserved.

Good Corporate Citizen Award. Winner: Burleigh Beach Tourist Park

Burleigh Beach Tourist Park is more than just a beachfront getaway, it’s a shining example of how tourism can be inclusive, accessible, and community-driven. This team has embraced the call to make Burleigh Heads a welcoming destination for guests of all abilities. From installing accessible infrastructure and inclusive in-room features, to purchasing a Sand-Cruizer beach wheelchair and partnering with organisations like Synapse and Xavier Children’s Network to provide free stays, Burleigh Beach Tourist Park is leading the way.

Their efforts have made unforgettable holidays possible for those who may have thought them out of reach. With strong guest satisfaction scores and visible community impact, this park proves that accessibility benefits everyone. A very special shoutout to Laura and Matt Nicholls, the park’s managers, who go above and beyond every single day to make sure every guest feels welcomed, supported, and valued. You’re both the heart of this incredible effort, congratulations!

Tidy Park Award. Winner: Kirra Beach Tourist Park

Kirra Beach Tourist Park has set a shining example when it comes to cleanliness and presentation. Under new leadership, the team has embedded cleanliness into every corner of park life, introducing QR-code reporting, clear checklists, and guest-friendly cleaning schedules that ensure spotless facilities at all times. But it’s not just about clean spaces, it’s about culture.

Team members support and celebrate each other’s efforts, with staff challenges, surprise thank-yous, and team bonding events all helping to drive an incredible sense of pride. Even guests have noticed the energy and positivity of the team, many commenting not just on the sparkle of the park, but the warmth of the people behind it.

With measurable boosts to review scores, revenue, and occupancy, Kirra Beach proves that when you value presentation, everything else lifts with it.

Read the 2025 Caravan & Holiday Park Industry Spotlight HERE