The winners of the 29th Australian Tourism Awards were announced on Friday night at a gala event at Sydney’s Luna Park.
The winners, across 28 categories, spanned Australian’s tourism’s wide range of sectors and experiences.
“We recognise and applaud the businesses who continue to demonstrate excellence in servicing the needs and exceeding the expectations of both domestic and international visitors – you represent the finest tourism businesses in Australia,” National Tourism Alliance chairman John Hart said.
Stephen Thompson, executive general manager international sales at Qantas – the event’s sponsor – underlined the airline’s commitment to “working closely” with its tourism partners in 2014.
“We are more committed than ever to promoting Australian tourism and encouraging more people to fly here and see all that our country has to offer,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tourism Australian general manager destination development Katherine Droga congratulated the “talented and often unsung heroes” of the industry.
“These awards help us focus on the tremendous effort that goes into making Australia’s tourism experiences world class, helping to turn visitors into such great advocates for our country,” she said.
“I'm delighted to see some of Australia’s best restaurants and wineries represented amongst the winners with food and wine set to be a big focus for Tourism Australia’s international marketing this year.”
Over 900 industry leaders and operators attended the National Tourism Alliance-owned and managed event, with guests including the Federal Minister for Trade and Investment, Andrew Robb.
Guests enjoyed a preview of Baz Luhrman’s Strictly Ballroom the Musical and a performance by Jessica Mauboy.
The winners of the Australian Tourism Awards are:
Major Tourist Attractions
Taronga Zoo NSW Winner
Melbourne Zoo VIC Silver
Kings Park WA Bronze
Tourist Attractions
Taronga Western Plains Zoo NSW Winner
Bruny Island Cruises TAS Silver
Hahndorf Farm Barn SA Bronze
Major Festivals and Events
Melbourne Cup Carnival VIC Winner
Byron Bay Bluesfest NSW Silver
2013 Clipsal 500 Adelaide SA Bronze
Festivals and Events
Kings Park Festival WA Winner
Deni Blues and Roots Festival NSW Silver
2012 RACV Energy Breakthrough VIC Bronze
Ecotourism
Bruny Island Cruises TAS Winner
Moonraker Dolphin Swims VIC Silver
Rawnsley Park Station Eco-Villas SA Bronze
Heritage and Cultural Tourism
Jenolan Caves – Written In Stone NSW Winner
Venture North Australia NT Silver
Port Arthur Historic Site TAS Bronze
Indigenous Tourism
Tri State Safaris/Mutawintji Eco Tours NSW Winner
Ayers Rock Resort NT Silver
Koomal Dreaming WA Bronze
Specialised Tourism Services
DIY Tourguide Australia NT Winner
Leisure Options VIC Silver
Rottnest Island Bike & Hire WA Bronze
Visitor Information and Services
Frankston Visitor Information Centre VIC Winner
Ipswich Visitor Information Centre QLD Silver
Moree Visitor Information Centre NSW Bronze
Business Tourism
Uluru Meeting Place NT Winner
Fairmont Resort MGallery NSW Silver
The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel TAS Bronze
Major Tour and/or Transport Operators
Spirit of Tasmania TAS Winner
Quicksilver Group QLD Silver
AAT Kings NT Bronze
Tour and/or Transport Operators
Tour Barossa SA Winner
Moonraker Dolphin Swims VIC Silver
Life’s an Adventure NSW Bronze
Adventure Tourism
Life’s an Adventure NSW Winner
Enchanted Adventure Garden VIC Silver
Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours VIC Bronze
Destination Marketing
The Human Brochure ACT Winner
Outback Queensland Travellers' Guide 2013 QLD Silver
Tourism Southern Highlands NSW Bronze
Tourism Education and Training
Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School NSW Winner
Australian Tourism Data Warehouse – Tourism e‚Äêkit, QLD Silver
Crown College VIC Bronze
Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services
The Corner Restaurant NSW Winner
Stillwater at Crittenden VIC Silver
Windy Point Restaurant and Café SA Bronze
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries
Pindarie Cellar Door SA Winner
Margan Wines NSW Silver
Ocean View Estates Winery and Restaurant QLD Bronze
Tourist and Caravan Parks
BIG4 Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort QLD Winner
BIG4 Adelaide Shores Caravan Park SA Silver
Nambucca River Tourist Park NSW Bronze
Backpacker Accommodation
Sydney Harbour YHA (Hall of Fame) NSW Winner
Space Hotel VIC Silver
Cairns Central YHA QLD Bronze
Hosted Accommodation
Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat QLD Winner
Honeycomb Valley Farm ‚Äê Farmstay NSW Silver
The Australasian Circa 1858 SA Bronze
Unique Accommodation
Whitsunday Escape QLD Winner
Rawnsley Park Station Eco Villas SA Silver
Rocky Hills Retreat TAS Bronze
Standard Accommodation
Blue Moon Cottages VIC Winner
Narnu Farm SA Silver
Ibis Styles Katherine NT Bronze
Deluxe Accommodation
Lasseters Hotel NT Winner
Fairmont Resort MGallery NSW Silver
Emaroo Port Hughes SA Bronze
Luxury Accommodation
Emporium Hotel QLD Winner
Saffire – Freycinet TAS Silver
Sails in the Desert Hotel NT Bronze
New Tourism Development
Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions – Great White Adventure SA Winner
Treetop Adventure Park Sydney NSW Silver
SKYCITY Darwin (Resort) NT Bronze
Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism
Pennicott Wilderness Journeys TAS Winner
Adelaide Shores SA Silver
Crystal Creek Meadows Luxury Cottages and Spa Retreat NSW Bronze
Local Government Award
City of Swan WA Winner
Port Macquarie Hastings Council NSW Silver
Alexandrina Council SA Bronze
2013 Australian Tourism Legend – (National Outstanding Contribution by an Individual)
Julian Ledger NSW Winner
