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 12 Queensland tourism icons who triumphed with podium finishes at the 2024 Australian Tourism Awards and a special congratulations to the six Queensland businesses who won gold.
2025 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
The Crystal Caves is a man-made interactive cave that Rene Boissevain built to encourage visitors to explore and discover Australia’s largest private collection of natural crystals and fossils.
03 Major Festivals and Events
Blues on Broadbeach, produced by Experience Gold Coast, is one of Australia’s premier music festivals, transforming Broadbeach into a vibrant hub celebrating rhythm and blues.
04 Festivals and Events
The Abbey Medieval Festival is Australia’s largest medieval event, featuring jousting, reenactments, crafts, music, and encampments for an immersive historical recreation of a Middle Ages experience.
05 The Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism
Fun Over 50 Holidays offers premium, guided all-inclusive tours for over-50s, with luxury coach travel, expert crew, with an emphasis on culture and sustainable experiences.
06 Cultural Tourism
Fun Over 50 Holidays offers premium, guided all-inclusive tours for over-50s, with luxury coach travel, expert crew, with an emphasis on culture and sustainable experiences.
07 Award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism
100% First Nations-owned, Cape York Peninsula Lodge offers cultural tours with Gudang-Yadhaykenu guides and Torres Strait Islander dance, plus 4WD adventures to Pajinka’s beaches and rainforest.
08 Tourism Retail and Hire Services
Shute Harbour Marine Terminal is a world-class gateway connecting visitors to the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef with modern facilities, inclusive design, and a strong focus on sustainability.
09 Visitor Information Services
The St George Region Explore Centre is an accredited Visitor Information Centre located alongside the Balonne River in the heart of St George in South West Queensland.
10 Business Event Venues
The Cairns Convention Centre, near the Great Barrier Reef, hosts up to 2,500 delegates. Ideal for conferences, it offers multiple event spaces, natural beauty, and proximity to hotels and the airport.
11 Major Tour and Transport Operators
Fun Over 50 Holidays offers premium, guided all-inclusive tours for over-50s, with luxury coach travel, expert crew, with an emphasis on culture and sustainable experiences.
12 Tour and Transport Operators
Boutique small group tours to the Whitsundays’ most iconic destinations: Outer Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach, cultural experiences, waterfalls, coastal beaches, and sunsets.
13 Adventure Tourism
Cape York Motorcycle Adventures offers thrilling guided motorcycle tours through Australia’s rugged Cape York landscapes. Ride remote trails, explore stunning scenery, and fuel your adventurous spirit! We do the rest.
14 The Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing and Campaigns
Tourism Tropical North Queensland is the Regional Tourism Organisation responsible for marketing the region globally by promoting the diversity of the region’s offerings, to drive the visitor economy.
15 Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services
A boutique tea house and cafe within the historical Kingston Butter Factory Precinct providing unique vintage styled high tea and cafe experiences for celebrations and catch ups.
16 Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries
Beenleigh Artisan Distillery, Australia’s oldest rum distillery, offers handcrafted rums, a full-service restaurant, and immersive experiences that blend heritage and innovation.
17 Caravan and Holiday Parks
BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park is a family friendly resort with a waterpark, pool, playground, games, and stylish stays. Close to theme parks, it’s the perfect base for fun, relaxation, and adventure.
18 Hosted Accommodation
A boutique rainforest retreat nestled in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat has eight luxury self-contained cottages nestled into nature, four with private plunge pools.
19 Unique Accommodation
Whitsunday Escape offer a most unique holiday experience with ‘Skipper Yourself Bareboat Charters’. Explore the Whitsunday Islands on your own fully self-contained, floating accommodation.
20 Self Contained Accommodation
Pinnacles, Airlie Beach offers 29 self-contained apartments all with balcony jacuzzi or internal spa tubs and breathtaking Sea views. Facilities include a heated pool, sauna and gym.
21 3-3.5 Star Accommodation
Port Douglas’s best-kept secret for road trippers and return guests. A spotless, peaceful 3.5-star stay with big-hearted hosts, undercover parking, and all the local intel you’ll ever need.
22 4-4.5 Star Accommodation
Escape to Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort – a tropical haven in the heart of Cairns with a lagoon-style pool, swim-up bar, stylish rooms, lush gardens, and easy access to the Reef and Esplanade.
23 5 Star Luxury Accommodation
The Reef House provides Adults Only Relaxation Escapes and personalised service. Enjoy inclusive packages and activities curated for rest, relaxation and rejuvenation.
24 New Tourism Business
Turtle Sands Nature Resort is a beachfront retreat at Mon Repos, Queensland, offering villas, glamping, and camping just metres from Australia’s largest mainland turtle nesting site.
25 Excellence in Food Tourism
The Eat Local collaboration between Council, the community and local operators harnesses the region’s passion for food with food tourism experiences, unforgettable events and mouth-watering products.
26 Excellence in Accessible Tourism
Bay Island Lifestyle delivers inclusive water-based activities. Providing specialised, fit-for-purpose equipment to ensure everyone, regardless of ability, can safely experience the joy of the ocean.