2022 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards recognise the best of the industry

The best of the best in the tourism industry have been recognised at the 2022 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, with Gold, Silver and Bronze national winners presented at a black tie gala event in Sydney last night.

Commenting on the 2022 program, Shaun de Bruyn, Chairperson of the Australian Tourism Awards, stated “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.

“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.”

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.

Bundaberg Rum Distillery

Last night the most coveted award, for Major Tourist Attraction, saw Adelaide Zoo 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.

de Bruyn added “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.”

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.

The award event was held at Sydney’s Doltone House in Pyrmont.

Winners at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards 2022. 

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island Tourism Experience

Gold - wukalina walk, Tasmania (pictured above)
Silver - Spirits of the Red, South Australiand, Queensland    
Bronze - Angkerle Atwatye - Standley Chasm, Northern Territory

Cultural Tourism
Gold - Geelong Gallery, Victoria
Silver - The Cedars Hahndorf, South Australia
Bronze - Venture North, Safaris, Northern Territory

Adventure Tourism
Gold - The Hike Collective, Western Australia
Silver- Ocean Rafting, Queensland
Bronze - Bendleby Ranges, South Australia

New Tourism Business

Gold - Wildcat Mackay, Queensland (pictured above)
Silver - CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park, Victoria
Bronze - Sequoia Lodge, South Australia

Tour & Transport Operators
Gold - Fun Over 50 Holidays, Queensland
Silver - The Hike Collective, Western Australia
Bronze - Air Adventure Golf, Tasmania

Major Tour & Transport Operators
Gold - SeaLink, Western Australia
Silver - Searoad Ferries, Victoria
Bronze - Sea World Cruises, Queensland

Caravan & Holiday Parks
Gold - BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, Queensland
Silver - BIG4 St Helens Holiday Park, Tasmania
Bronze - Oasis Tourist Park, Northern Territory

Hosted Accommodation
Gold - Bli Bli House, Queensland
Silver - Tallawarra Homestead, Victoria
Bronze - Redwing Farm, South Australia

Unique Accommodation

Gold - Jamala Wildlife Lodge CBR (pictured above)
Silver - Woodhouse Activity Centre, South Australia
Bronze - Mitchell Grass Retreat, Queensland

Self Contained Accommodation
Gold - The Woods Ocean Grove, Victoria
Silver - Tree Chalets, Western Australia
Bronze - Villa Talia, Tasmania

Tourism Retail and Hire Services
Gold - Willie Creek Pearls, Western Australia
Silver - Sydney Harbour Kayaks, NSW
Bronze - Uluru Audio Guide, Northern Territory

Visitor Information Services
Gold - Mudgee Region Tourism, NSW
Silver - Quilpie Visitor Information Centre, Museum & Gallery, Queensland
Bronze - Bendigo Visitor Centre, Victoria

Ecotourism

Gold - Live Ningaloo, Western Australia (pictured above)
Silver - Tasmania Walking Company, Tasmania
Bronze - Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, Queensland

Business Event Venues
Gold - Pullman Bunker Bay Resort, Western Australia
Silver - Darwin Convention Centre, Northern Territory
Bronze - Peppers Silo Hotel, Tasmania

Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services
Gold - Char Restaurant and The Darwin Club at Admiralty House, Northern Territory
Silver - Potager, NSW
Bronze - Mures Tasmania

Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries
Gold - Bangor Vineyard Shed, Tasmania 
Silver - Courabyra Wines, NSW
Bronze - Billson's Brewery, Victoria

Tourism Marketing & Campaigns
Gold - ‘Viva Bendigo’ by City of Greater Bendigo, Victoria 
Silver - MidCoast Council - Destination Barrington Coast, NSW
Bronze - Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Queensland

Excellence in Food Tourism

Gold - Coal River Farm, Tasmania (pictured above)
Silver - CORE Cider House, Western Australia
Bronze - Margan Wines & Restaurant, NSW

3-3.5 Star Accommodation
Gold - Urban Camp Melbourne, Victoria
Silver - Broadwater Resort Busselton, Western Australia
Bronze - Magnums Unique Accommodation Airlie Beach, Queensland

4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation
Gold - Cape York Peninsula Lodge, Queensland
Silver - Ship Inn Stanley, Tasmania
Bronze - The Byng Street Boutique Hotel, NSW

5 Star Luxury Accommodation
Gold - Mt Hay Retreat, NSW (pictured top)
Silver - COMO The Treasury, Western Australia
Bronze - Eos by SkyCity Adelaide, South Australia

Major Festivals & Events

Gold - The Darwin Festival, Northern Territory (pictured above)
Silver - Tesselaar KaBloom, Victoria
Bronze - Optus Stadium - AFL Grand Final 2021, Western Australia

Festivals & Events
Gold - Outback Queensland Masters, Queensland
Silver - Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival, Victoria
Bronze - Tumbafest Inc, NSW

Tourist Attractions
Gold - Bundaberg Rum Distillery Visitor Experience, Queensland
Silver - Katherine Outback Experience, Northern Territory
Bronze - Willie Creek Pearl Farm, Western Australia

Major Tourist Attractions
Gold - Adelaide Zoo, South Australia
Silver - National Zoo & Aquarium, Canberra
Bronze - Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Queensland