Australian Tourism Awards

The Australian Tourism Awards celebrate the best of the tourism industry from across the country. The national program recognises and rewards businesses who are committed to excellence, innovation, and outstanding achievements in tourism.

Select category winners from the Queensland Tourism Awards gain automatic entry into the national awards, where they have a chance to be crowned the best in the country.

Queensland’s 2023 Australian Tourism Awards winners

Well done to the 14 Queensland tourism icons who secured podium finishes at the 2023 Australian Tourism Awards and a special congratulations to the five Queensland businesses who won gold.

2024 Australian Tourism Awards – Queensland finalists

01 Major Tourist Attraction
Winner GC Aqua Park
CATEGORY WINNER
GC Aqua Park

GC Aqua Park, a family-owned inflatable park at Broadwater Parklands, offers an exciting, inclusive, and accessible experience for all. Its prime location and welcoming atmosphere make it a favorite for locals and tourists.

Winner Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience
CATEGORY WINNER
Bundaberg Rum Distillery Visitor Experience

Established in 1888, the Bundaberg Rum Distillery offers a world-class visitor experience with interactive tours, a museum, and tastings. Guests explore the distillery’s rich history and craftsmanship, including Australia’s first Blend Your Own Rum Experience.

Winner Beef Australia 2024
CATEGORY WINNER
Beef Australia 2024

Beef2024, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest event of its kind, showcases paddock-to-plate experiences with 276 events over seven days. Drawing 125,576 attendees and international delegates, it generated $102 million and created 721 jobs in 2024.

Winner Birdsville Big Red Bash
CATEGORY WINNER
Birdsville Big Red Bash

Birdsville’s Big Red Bash is an iconic music festival in Australia’s Simpson Desert, featuring top-tier artists against the stunning backdrop of 40-metre-high red dunes. It’s a one-of-a-kind adventure attracting fans from across the country.

Winner Lady Elliot Island
CATEGORY WINNER
Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort

Home to 1,200 species, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort offers an exceptional marine ecotourism experience on the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Renowned for eco-initiatives, it’s a multi-award-winning leader in sustainable tourism in Australia.

CATEGORY WINNER
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, a Gold Coast icon for 75 years, offers immersive experiences with native wildlife and Indigenous culture. Guests enjoy hand-feeding lorikeets, cuddling koalas, and world-class education, inspiring conservation of Australia’s precious wildlife.

Winner Cape York Peninsula Lodge
CATEGORY WINNER
Cape York Peninsula Lodge

Cape York Peninsula Lodge, 100% First Nations-owned, offers guided cultural tours with Gudang-Yadhaykenu traditional owners. Guests enjoy rainforest adventures, pristine beaches at Pajinka, and swimming in Fruit Bat Falls, plus Torres Strait Islander cultural performances.

Winner Sonia Jones Travel
CATEGORY WINNER
Sonia Jones Travel

Sonia Jones Travel, a boutique Brisbane-based agency, specialises in bespoke travel experiences tailored to clients’ preferences. With global expertise and exclusive insights, they deliver seamless planning, unforgettable journeys, corporate travel solutions, and personalised group tours.

Winner Quilpie Visitor Information Centre, Museum & Gallery
CATEGORY WINNER
Quilpie Visitor Information Centre, Museum & Gallery

Located in Quilpie Shire, the Quilpie Visitor Information Centre welcomes guests with a gallery, museums, and local opal products. Visitors can enjoy the Quilpeta Night Show on a massive outdoor screen in a relaxing setting.

Winner Cedar Creek Lodges
CATEGORY WINNER
Cedar Creek Lodges

Cedar Creek Lodges, set in Tamborine Mountain, offers exceptional conference and retreat facilities, blending natural beauty with top-tier service. Enjoy gourmet dining, comfortable accommodations, and unique team-building activities like the award-winning Canyon Flyer Zipline.

Winner Ocean Rafting
CATEGORY WINNER
Ocean Rafting

Multi award-winning Ocean Rafting offers thrilling Whitsunday tours, including the Northern Exposure and Southern Lights, featuring Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet access, snorkeling, scenic flights over the Great Barrier Reef, and personalised small group experiences.

Winner Fun Over 50 Holidays - Immersive Tours and Adventures
CATEGORY WINNER
Fun Over 50 Holidays - Immersive Tours and Adventures

Fun Over 50 Holidays, a leading sustainable tour operator, offers luxury all-inclusive packages for travellers aged over 50. In 2023-2024, they supported 954 businesses and employed 14.8 staff while promoting eco-friendly tourism across Australia.

Winner Aquascene Magnetic Island
CATEGORY WINNER
Aquascene Magnetic Island

Located on Magnetic Island, Aquascene offers award-winning marine adventures and educational experiences. Guests can snorkel pristine coral reefs, interact with wildlife, and learn local culture, all while enjoying inclusive and accessible tours designed for everyone.

Winner Explore Rockhampton Accessible Tourism Campaign
CATEGORY WINNER
Explore Rockhampton Accessible Tourism Campaign

Discover Rockhampton’s diverse experiences, from trophy barramundi fishing and treetop boardwalks to visiting the zoo, exploring caves, enjoying local cuisine, and day trips to the Southern Great Barrier Reef – all in one vibrant city.

Winner Sea World Cruises Dining Experiences 
CATEGORY WINNER
Sea World Cruises Dining Experiences 

Sea World Cruises, Gold Coast’s marine tourism experts, welcome over 100,000 guests annually aboard three luxury catamarans. Enjoy award-winning service, scenic dining cruises, and breathtaking whale encounters along the world-renowned humpback highway from May to November.

Winner Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience 2
CATEGORY WINNER
Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience

Established in 1888, Bundaberg Rum Distillery offers interactive tours, including Australia’s first Blend Your Own Rum Experience. Guests explore the distillery’s history, craftsmanship, and enjoy tastings at this world-class tourist attraction welcoming tens of thousands annually.

Winner BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort
CATEGORY WINNER
BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort

Owned by the McKinnon family for 31 years, the 4.5-star BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort is a leading Queensland holiday park. It offers diverse accommodations and over 15 onsite activities, including a mega waterslide park and outdoor cinema.

Winner The Country House at Hunchy
CATEGORY WINNER
The Country House at Hunchy

The Country House at Hunchy Montville is a 5-star bed and breakfast nestled in a serene rainforest near Montville. It features two luxurious King Spa Suites, stunning views, and exceptional dining, offering an award-winning getaway for couples.

Winner Mitchell Grass Retreat
CATEGORY WINNER
Mitchell Grass Retreat

Mitchell Grass Retreat Longreach offers an authentic outback experience with luxury tents featuring ensuites and plush bedding. Guests can enjoy a saltwater pool, firepits, and stunning views of the Mitchell Grass Plains under a starry sky.

Winner Pinnacles, Airlie Beach
CATEGORY WINNER
Pinnacles, Airlie Beach

Pinnacles offers the ultimate self-contained accommodation in Airlie Beach, featuring 29 stylish apartments with balconies, jacuzzis, and breathtaking views. Enjoy a 20 metre wet edge pool, sauna, gym, and onsite tour assistance for Whitsunday adventures.

CATEGORY WINNER
Great Keppel Island Hideaway

Welcome to Great Keppel Island Hideaway, located on Australia’s Southern Great Barrier Reef, just a 30-minute ferry ride from the mainland. Experience breathtaking beauty, crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches, and vibrant marine life on this tropical paradise.

Winner Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
CATEGORY WINNER
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, a 4.5-star tropical haven, offers engaging activities for families through its Very Important Kids (VIK) and Very Important Grown-Ups (VIG) programs. Enjoy Cairns’ only swim-up bar, Moku Beach Bar & Restaurant, and easy access to top attractions.

The Reef House Boutique Hotel & Spa
CATEGORY WINNER
The Reef House Adults Retreat

The Reef House Boutique Hotel and Spa in Palm Cove is an adults-only wellness resort offering over 28 complimentary inclusions. Guests enjoy beachfront yoga, aqua aerobics, sleep workshops, and personalised services for total relaxation and rejuvenation.

Winner Vertigo
CATEGORY WINNER
Vertigo

Welcome to Vertigo, a fully accessible dining experience suspended 17 meters above the historic Brisbane Powerhouse. Co-founders John Sharpe and Kate Gould launched this unique culinary adventure in October 2023, offering thrilling after-dinner descents and rich cultural experiences.

Winner Beef Australia 2024
CATEGORY WINNER
Beef Australia 2024

Beef2024, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest beef tourism experience, takes place from May 5-11 in Rockhampton, Queensland. Guests will enjoy gourmet meals and immerse themselves in the paddock-to-plate experience, generating significant economic impact and global attention.

Winner BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort 2
CATEGORY WINNER
BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort

BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, a 4.5-star holiday park owned by the McKinnon family for 31 years, offers diverse accommodations and over 15 onsite activities, including a waterslide park, lagoon pool, mini golf, and an Autism Sensory Room.