The annual Qantas Australian Tourism Awards held on Friday 24 February at Darwin’s Convention Centre, celebrated the outstanding industry achievements across 25 categories.
Taking out Gold for the Major Tourist Attraction award a second time running was Sovereign Hill Victoria, while Harvey Lister (QLD) was awarded the gold Australian Tourism Legend award.
Several operators were awarded the prestigious Hall of Fame trophy, received by an entrant who has won the same category for three consecutive years.
The Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Steven Ciob MP, congratulated the 25 winners and more than 200 finalists for their dedication to Australia’s tourism industry.
“Australia’s export tourism industry is now more valuable to the national economy than coal or rural exports,” Mr Ciobo said.
“The continued passion and commitment from the hard-working Australians honoured tonight is crucial to further growth and attracting more visitors to Australia.”
Below is the full list of awards from the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards
Major Tourist Attractions
- GOLD: Sovereign Hill VIC
- SILVER: Kakadu National Park NT
- BRONZE: Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service – Freycinet National Park TAS
Major Festivals and Events
- GOLD: Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers QLD
- SILVER: Australian Grand Prix Corporation VIC
- BRONZE: Mandurah Crab Fest WA
Festivals and Events
- GOLD: Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo QLD
- SILVER: 2016 National Folk Festival ACT
- BRONZE: Parkes Elvis Festival NSW
Ecotourism
- GOLD: Tasmanian Walking Company TAS
- SILVER: Sail Ningaloo – Overnight Sailing Tours WA
- BRONZE: Fun Over Fift QLD
Cultural Tourism
- GOLD: Bendigo Tramways VIC
- SILVER: Nundle Woollen Mill NSW
- BRONZE: Venture North Australia NT
Qantas Award for Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism
- GOLD/Hall of Fame: Voyages Ayers Rock Resort NT
- SILVER: Sand Dune Adventures NSW
- BRONZE: Mossman Gorge Centre QLD
Specialised Tourism Services
- GOLD: RiverFly 1864 TAS
- SILVER: Canberra Airport ACT
- BRONZE: SkyBus VIC
Visitor Information Services
- GOLD: Alice Springs Visitor Information Centre NT
- SILVER: Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association WA
- BRONZE: Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre QLD
Business Events Venue
- GOLD/Hall of Fame: The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel TAS
- SILVER: Darwin Convention Centre NT
- BRONZE: Château Élan at The Vintage NSW
Major Tour and Transport Operators
- GOLD: Ocean Rafting QLD
- SILVER: Par Avion Wilderness Tours TAS
- BRONZE: ADAMS WA
Tour and Transport Operators
- GOLD: Fun Over Fifty QLD
- SILVER: Top Drop Tours WA
- BRONZE: Uluru Camel Tours NT
Adventure Tourism
- GOLD: Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures WA
- SILVER: Tangatours QLD
- BRONZE: Uluru Camel Tours NT
Destination Marketing
- GOLD: Reset your senses in Mudgee Region NSW
- SILVER: Great Eastern Drive TAS
- BRONZE: Bendigo Art Gallery & Twentieth Century Fox present Marilyn Monroe VIC
Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services
- GOLD: Masons of Bendigo VIC
- SILVER: Josef Chromy Wines TAS
- BRONZE: Sandalford Wines WA
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries
- GOLD: Seppeltsfield Estate Winery SA
- SILVER: Sarina Sugar Shed QLD
- BRONZE: Pizzini Wines VIC
Caravan and Holiday Parks
- GOLD: BIG4 Deniliquin Holiday Park NSW
- SILVER: BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort QLD
- BRONZE: BIG4 Beacon Resort VIC
Hosted Accommodation
- GOLD: The Beach House at Bayside WA
- SILVER: Cobbold Village QLD
- BRONZE: Curringa Farm Accommodation TAS
Unique Accommodation
- GOLD: Taronga Western Plains Zoo NSW
- SILVER: Pumphouse Point TAS
- BRONZE: Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures, The Horizontal Hotel WA
Self Contained Accommodation
- GOLD: The Frames SA
- SILVER: Avalon Coastal Retreat TAS
- BRONZE:Lakeside Villas at Crittenden Estate VIC
Standard Accommodation
- GOLD: Moama on Murray Resort NSW
- SILVER: Ibis Mackay QLD
- BRONZE: Ibis Adelaide SA
Deluxe Accommodation
- GOLD: Yondah Beach House SA
- SILVER: The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel SA
- BRONZE: The Observatory, Port Macquarie NSW
Luxury Accommodation
- GOLD: Saffire Freycinet TAS
- SILVER: The Playford SA
- BRONZE: Drift House VIC
New Tourism Business
- GOLD: Three Capes Track TAS
- SILVER: COMO The Treasury WA
- BRONZE: The Wellness Manor VIC
Excellence in Food Tourism
- GOLD: Margan Wines & Restaurant NSW
- SILVER: Green Olive at Red Hill VIC
- BRONZE: Barossa Valley Cheese Company SA
Australian Tourism Legend
- GOLD: Harvey Lister QLD
