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.
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
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.
02 Tourist Attractions
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.
03 Major Festivals and Events
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.
04 Festivals and Events
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.
05 The Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism
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.
06 Cultural Tourism
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.
07 Award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism
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.
08 Tourism Retail and Hire Services
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.
09 Visitor Information Services
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.
10 Business Event Venues
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.
11 Major Tour and Transport Operators
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.
12 Tour and Transport Operators
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.
13 Adventure Tourism
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.
14 The Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing and Campaigns
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.
15 Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services
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.
16 Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries
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.
17 Caravan and Holiday Parks
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.
18 Hosted Accommodation
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.
19 Unique Accommodation
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.
20 Self Contained Accommodation
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.
21 3-3.5 Star Accommodation
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.
22 4-4.5 Star Accommodation
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.
23 5 Star Luxury Accommodation
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.
24 New Tourism Business
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.
25 Excellence in Food Tourism
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.
26 Excellence in Accessible Tourism
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.