More than 180 tourism operators gathered over the weekend for the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, held at the Darwin Convention Centre.

“The Australian Tourism Awards are the tourism industry’s most prestigious awards which showcases innovation and business excellence,” chairperson, Australian Tourism Awards, Shaun De Bruyn, said.

“There was an exceptional level of competition across all categories which demonstrates the dedication tourism operators have to developing extraordinary visitor experiences.

“Congratulations to all the tourism businesses for their submissions and a special mention goes to those awarded and recognised this evening for exceptional achievement in their categories.”

This year’s event saw the introduction of the Excellence in Accessible Tourism award, encouraging more tourism businesses to implement inclusive business practices and offer accessible-friendly tourism products, services and experiences.”

“With the introduction of the Excellence in Accessible Tourism category, we hope to see more businesses adapting their products to be inclusive, and to see more visitors enjoy and experience our incredible Australian destinations,” said De Bruyn.

Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism said: “Tourism businesses and their staff are the backbone of our vibrant tourism industry, delivering world class experiences to visitors from across Australia and around the world. The bright future of the sector couldn’t be in better hands.”

The 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.

National winners at the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards:

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

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

Caravan & Holiday Parks

• Gold – BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort QLD
• Silver – Alivio Tourist Park Canberra CBR
• Bronze – NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park VIC

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

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

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 Accessible Tourism

• Gold – Adelaide Fringe SA
• Silver – Accessible Accommodation VIC
• Bronze – Katherine Outback Experience NT

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