The nation’s best of the best in the tourism industry tonight gathered in Sydney for the 2022 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. Held at Sydney’s Doltone House in Pyrmont, the tourism industry united to celebrate the premier tourism businesses in the country and reveal the 2022 Gold, Silver and Bronze national winners at the black tie gala event.
“This is the biggest annual celebration of tourism business excellence in Australia. And we have much to celebrate recognising and elevating the very best of what tourism has to offer in this great country of ours,” said Shaun de Bruyn, Chairperson, Australian Tourism Awards.
“Each of our award nominees have reached the status of absolute excellence in tourism and business to be here tonight – a night of reflection, triumph and solidarity for the industry. Australia’s tourism operators and products are truly outstanding across the board, and we’re seeing this with all states and territories represented in the winner’s pool.
“As an industry we are susceptible to many external factors, which has been highlighted over the past several years, but we continue to innovate, collaborate and come back strong. Many of our tourism operators are going from strength to strength, bouncing back after the worst of the pandemic,” Mr de Bruyn continued.
Overall, there were 75 awards presented across 25 categories with a Gold, Silver and Bronze winner announced for each category. The awards were once again supported by major sponsor, Qantas, with Tourism Australia and Destination NSW supporting sponsors.
Tonight, the most coveted award, Major Tourist Attraction, saw Adelaide Zoo in South Australia take Gold, with the Gold for Tourist Attraction category being awarded to Bundaberg Rum Distillery Visitor Experience in Queensland.
In the Aboriginal &Torres Strait Island Tourism Experience category, the Gold was awarded to wukalina Walk in Tasmania, and in the Ecotourism category, Gold went to Live Ningaloo in Western Australia. The Cultural Tourism award went to Geelong Gallery in Victoria, and in the Major Festivals & Events category, Gold was awarded to The Darwin Festival in the Northern Territory.
In the accommodation sector, Canberra’s Jamala Wildlife Lodge won Gold in the Unique Accommodation category, whilst Mt Hay Retreat in NSW took Gold for 5 Star Luxury Accommodation.
“We congratulate all tourism businesses who have entered, and particularly those who leave with awards which truly demonstrates excellence in their individual categories. Australia continues to deliver exceptional tourism experiences across all states and tourism continues to remain an important industry for the economy,” Mr de Bruyn concluded.
The Qantas Australian Tourism Awards celebrates innovation and exceptional standards in tourism; and is made possible through the generosity of sponsors, in particular Qantas, Tourism Australia, and the NSW Government through Destination NSW. A warm thanks to The Caravan Industry Association of Australia, Signature Media, Ultimate Winery Experiences, and Novotel: Darling Harbour for their support throughout the awards.
For more information on the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, visit www.qualitytourismaustralia.com/australian-tourism-awards/
The full list of winners is listed below. Images and interviews with award recipients can be arranged on request.
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The following is the complete list of categories and winners at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards 2022. Images and interviews with award recipients can be arranged on request.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island Tourism Experience
GOLD- wukalina Walk TAS
SILVER – Spirits of the Red Sand QLD
BRONZE – Angkerle Atwatye – Standley Chasm NT
Cultural Tourism
GOLD – Geelong Gallery VIC
SILVER – The Cedars Hahndorf SA
BRONZE – Venture North Safaris NT
Adventure Tourism
GOLD – The Hike Collective WA
SILVER- Ocean Rafting QLD
BRONZE – Bendleby Ranges SA
New Tourism Business
GOLD – Wildcat Mackay QLD
SILVER – CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park VIC
BRONZE – Sequoia Lodge SA
Tour & Transport Operators
GOLD – Fun Over 50 Holidays QLD
SILVER – The Hike Collective WA
BRONZE – Air Adventure Golf TAS
Major Tour & Transport Operators
GOLD – SeaLink WA
SILVER- Searoad Ferries VIC
BRONZE – Sea World Cruises QLD
Caravan & Holiday Parks
GOLD – BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort QLD
SILVER – BIG4 St Helens Holiday Park TAS
BRONZE – Oasis Tourist Park NT
Hosted Accommodation
GOLD – Bli Bli House QLD
SILVER – Tallawarra Homestead VIC
BRONZE – Redwing Farm SA
Unique Accommodation
GOLD – Jamala Wildlife Lodge CBR
SILVER – Woodhouse Activity Centre SA
BRONZE – Mitchell Grass Retreat QLD
Self Contained Accommodation
GOLD – The Woods Ocean Grove VIC
SILVER – Tree Chalets WA
BRONZE – Villa Talia TAS
Ecotourism
GOLD – Live Ningaloo WA
SILVER – Tasmanian Walking Company TAS
BRONZE – Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort QLD
Tourism Retail and Hire Services
GOLD – Willie Creek Pearls WA
SILVER – Sydney Harbour Kayaks NSW
BRONZE – Uluru Audio Guide NT
Visitor Information Services
GOLD – Mudgee Region Tourism NSW
SILVER – Quilpie Visitor Information Centre, Museum & Gallery QLD
BRONZE – Bendigo Visitor Centre VIC
Business Event Venues
GOLD – Pullman Bunker Bay Resort WA
SILVER – Darwin Convention Centre NT
BRONZE – Peppers Silo Hotel TAS
Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services
GOLD – Char Restaurant and The Darwin Club at Admiralty House NT
SILVER – Potager NSW
BRONZE – Mures Tasmania TAS
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries
GOLD – Bangor Vineyard Shed TAS
SILVER – Courabyra Wines NSW
BRONZE – Billson’s Brewery VIC
Tourism Marketing & Campaigns
GOLD – ‘Viva Bendigo’ by City of Greater Bendigo VIC
SILVER – MidCoast Council – Destination Barrington Coast NSW
BRONZE – Tourism Tropical North Queensland QLD
Excellence in Food Tourism
GOLD – Coal River Farm TAS
SILVER – CORE Cider House WA
BRONZE – Margan Wines & Restaurant NSW
3-3.5 Star Accommodation
GOLD – Urban Camp Melbourne VIC
SILVER – Broadwater Resort Busselton WA
BRONZE – Magnums Unique Accommodation Airlie Beach QLD
4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation
GOLD – Cape York Peninsula Lodge QLD
SILVER – Ship Inn Stanley TAS
BRONZE – The Byng Street Boutique Hotel NSW
5 Star Luxury Accommodation
GOLD – Mt Hay Retreat NSW
SILVER – COMO The Treasury WA
BRONZE – Eos by SkyCity Adelaide SA
Festivals & Events
GOLD – Outback Queensland Masters QLD
SILVER – Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival VIC
BRONZE – Tumbafest Inc NSW
Major Festivals & Events
GOLD – The Darwin Festival NT
SILVER – Tesselaar KaBloom VIC
BRONZE – Optus Stadium – AFL Grand Final 2021 WA
Tourist Attractions
GOLD – Bundaberg Rum Distillery Visitor Experience QLD
SILVER – Katherine Outback Experience NT
BRONZE – Willie Creek Pearl Farm WA
Major Tourist Attractions
GOLD – Adelaide Zoo SA
SILVER – National Zoo & Aquarium CBR
BRONZE – Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary QLD
