Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary named Queensland’s top Major Tourist Attraction at QTIC Awards

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) 2021 Queensland Tourism Awards have tonight seen the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary named the state’s top Major Tourist Attraction.

Recognising the achievements of tourism operators in Queensland across 30 categories ranging from tourism, events, attractions, tours and transport, the Awards were presented this evening at a live Black Tie Gala Ceremony at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre with more than 1,100 operators and guests in attendance.

Celebrating the industry’s efforts and resilience over the past two challenging years, the event was also streamed on Facebook.

Speaking at the Awards’ 36th edition, QTIC Chief Executive, Daniel Gschwind stated “after a pause in the Awards program last year, it is time to shake off the gloom, look forward and celebrate this great industry, its people and its future.

“Returning in the Year of Indigenous Tourism, the Awards offer a platform to showcase Queensland’s world-class Indigenous tourism experiences, supporting the growth of Indigenous businesses and individuals in our industry.

“This year’s entrants, across the 31 business, event and individual categories, are a demonstration of the strength and calibre of the state’s tourism operators - all of whom have been able to adapt to  the circumstances of the pandemic and continue to do great things during ongoing challenges.”

A total of 81 Awards, including 32 Gold, 26 Silver and 23 Bronze Awards were presented across 31 categories, including two RACQ People’s Choice Awards and a new Judges Award for Innovation and Resilience.

Other awards saw the Bundaberg Rum Distillery awarded gold for in the Tourist Attractions category and the Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort recognised for their steadfast commitment to guests and their role as champions of sustainability - securing the gold Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism.

Isaac Regional Council secured gold in the Festivals and Events category for its St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend.

Outback Queensland operators had a significant presence on the night securing nine awards.

Gold medal winners from the outback included Mitchell Grass Retreat in the New Tourism Business category, Julia Creek Caravan Park in the Caravan and Holiday Parks category and Longreach Visitor Information in the Visitor Information Services category.

2021 Queensland Tourism Awards - Winners List
Judges Award for Innovation and Resilience 
Gold - Fun Over Fifty 

RACQ People's Choice Award - Accommodation 
Gold - RACV Noosa Resort 

RACQ People's Choice Award - Experiences & Services 
Gold - Paronella Park 

The Marie Watson-Blake Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual 
Gold - Bindi Irwin, Australia Zoo
Gold Posthumous Award - John Courtenay, Tourism Tropical North Queensland

Young Achievers Award 
Gold - Simon Thonalley, Saltwater Eco Tours 

Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or a Volunteer Group 
Gold - Mary Valley Rattler
Silver - Australia Zoo
Bronze - Goondiwindi Region - Rebecca Cover 

Excellence in Food Tourism 
Gold - Beef 2021
Silver - The Ginger Factory
Bronze - Sarina Sugar Shed 

New Tourism Business 
Gold - Mitchell Grass Retreat
Silver - Hopo Gold Coast Ferry
Bronze - O'Reilly's Campground

5 Star Accommodation 
Gold - InterContinental Hayman Island Resort
Silver - The Reef House Boutique Hotel and Spa
Bronze - Emporium Hotel South Bank 

4-4.5 Star Accommodation 
Gold - Empire Apartment Hotel (Hall of Fame)
Silver - Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
Bronze - Novotel Brisbane South Bank 

3-3.5 Star Accommodation 
Gold - Oaks Toowoomba Hotel
Silver - ibis Styles Mount Isa 

Self-Contained Accommodation 
Gold - Pinnacles Resort
Silver - RACV Noosa Resort
Bronze - Bella Casa Noosa 

Unique Accommodation
Gold - Paradise Resort Gold Coast
Silver - Cruise Whitsundays
Bronze - Whitsunday Escape

Hosted Accommodation
Gold - Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat
Silver - Bli Bli House Riverside Retreat
Bronze - The Country House at Hunchy

Caravan and Holiday Parks
Gold - Julia Creek Caravan Park
Silver - BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort
Bronze - Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut 

Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries
Gold - Bundaberg Rum Distillery Visitor Experience (Hall of Fame)
Silver - O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards
Bronze - Sarina Sugar Shed 

Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services
Gold - The Windmill Café Bargara
Silver - Dracula's Cabaret Gold Coast
Bronze - JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa

The Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing and Campaigns
Gold - Scenic Rim Regional Council, ‘Welcome to the Richest Place on Earth, In Australia' Campaign
Silver - Tourism Tropical North Queensland, 'Summer in the Tropics' Campaign
Bronze - Tourism Whitsundays, 'Wonders of the Whitsundays' Campaign 

Adventure Tourism 
Gold - Red Cat Adventures (Hall of Fame)
Silver - See Moreton
Bronze - Skypark Cairns 

Tour and/or Transport Operators
Gold - Sailaway
Silver - Lady Musgrave Experience
Bronze - 1770 LARC! Tours 

Major Tour and/or Transport Operators
Gold - Red Cat Adventures (Hall of Fame)
Silver - Ocean Rafting
Bronze - Sea World Cruises 

Business Event Venues
Gold - Empire Apartment Hotel Conference Centre
Silver - Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre 

Visitor Information Services
Gold  - Longreach Visitor Information Centre
Silver - Balonne Shire Visitor Information Centre
Bronze - Mackay Region Visitor Information Centre 

Tourism Retail & Hire Services
Gold - Pelican Boat Hire
Silver - Whitsunday Coast Airport

Award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism
Gold - Spirits of the Red Sand
Silver - Rainforestation Nature Park
Bronze - Bamaga Enterprise Ltd & Cape York Peninsula Lodge 

Cultural Tourism
Gold - Fun Over Fifty
Silver - Paronella Park
Bronze - Qantas Founders Museum 

The Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism
Gold - Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort
Silver - Small World Journeys
Bronze - Sailaway 

Festivals and Events
Gold - Isaac Regional Council - St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend
Silver - Rare Spares Rockynats Car Festival
Bronze - Birdsville Big Red Bash 

Major Festivals and Events
Gold - Beef 2021, Rockhampton
Silver - Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
Bronze - Blues on Broadbeach

Tourist Attractions
Gold - Bundaberg Rum Distillery Visitor Experience
Silver - Mary Valley Rattler
Bronze - Hinkler Hall of Aviation 

Major Tourist Attractions
Gold - Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Silver - Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History
Bronze - Qantas Founders Museum

Each year, the Queensland Tourism Awards are judged by a panel of industry experts who volunteer their services to assess submissions and travel across Queensland to experience firsthand the amenities and services of the nominated operators.

Select category winners will gain automatic entry into the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, which will be held at Sunshine Coast Convention Centre on Friday 18th March 2022.

Images: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary - named top Major Tourist Attraction at the 2021 QTIC Queensland Tourism Awards (top). QTIC Chief Executive, Daniel Gschwind (middle) and Julia Creek (below, credit: Tourism and Events Queensland).