Industry excellence celebrated at Australian Tourism Awards

The winners of the 29th Australian Tourism Awards were announced on Friday night (7th February) at a gala event at Sydney's Luna Park.

The winners, across 28 categories, spanned Australian's tourism's wide range of sectors and experiences.

Commenting on the Awards, National Tourism Alliance Chairman John Hart stated "we recognise and applaud the businesses who continue to demonstrate excellence in servicing the needs and exceeding the expectations of both domestic and international visitors - you represent the finest tourism businesses in Australia."

Stephen Thompson, Executive General Manager International Sales for Qantas the event's sponsor underlined the airline's commitment to 'working closely' with its tourism partners in 2014, explained "we are more committed than ever to promoting Australian tourism and encouraging more people to fly here and see all that our country has to offer."

Meanwhile, Tourism Australian General Manager Destination Development Katherine Droga congratulated the "talented and often unsung heroes" of the industry, adding "these awards help us focus on the tremendous effort that goes into making Australia's tourism experiences world class, helping to turn visitors into such great advocates for our country.".

Over 900 industry leaders and operators attended the National Tourism Alliance-owned and managed event, with guests including the Federal Minister for Trade and Investment, Andrew Robb.

Guests enjoyed a preview of Baz Luhrman's Strictly Ballroom the Musical and a performance by Jessica Mauboy.

The winners of the Australian Tourism Awards are:

Major Tourist Attractions

Taronga Zoo, NSW - Winner

Melbourne Zoo, Victoria - Silver

Kings Park, Western Australia - Bronze

Tourist Attractions

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, NSW - Winner

Bruny Island Cruises, Tasmania - Silver

Hahndorf Farm Barn, South Australia - Bronze

Major Festivals and Events

Melbourne Cup Carnival, Victoria - Winner

Byron Bay Bluesfest, NSW - Silver

2013 Clipsal 500 Adelaide, South Australia - Bronze

Festivals and Events

Kings Park Festival, Western Australia - Winner

Deni Blues and Roots Festival, NSW - Silver

2012 RACV Energy Breakthrough, Victoria - Bronze

Ecotourism

Bruny Island Cruises, Tasmania - Winner

Moonraker Dolphin Swims, Victoria - Silver

Rawnsley Park Station Eco-Villas, South Australia - Bronze

Heritage and Cultural Tourism

Jenolan Caves – Written In Stone, NSW - Winner

Venture North Australia, Northern Territory - Silver

Port Arthur Historic Site, Tasmania - Bronze

Indigenous Tourism

Tri State, South Australiafaris/Mutawintji Eco Tours, NSW - Winner

Ayers Rock Resort, Northern Territory - Silver

Koomal Dreaming, Western Australia - Bronze

Specialised Tourism Services

DIY Tourguide Australia, Northern Territory - Winner

Leisure Options, Victoria - Silver

Rottnest Island Bike & Hire, Western Australia - Bronze

Visitor Information and Services

Frankston Visitor Information Centre, Victoria - Winner

Ipswich Visitor Information Centre, Queensland - Silver

Moree Visitor Information Centre, NSW - Bronze

Business Tourism

Uluru Meeting Place, Northern Territory - Winner

Fairmont Resort MGallery, NSW - Silver

The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel, Tasmania - Bronze

Major Tour and/or Transport Operators

Spirit of, Tasmaniamania, Tasmania - Winner

Quick- Silver Group, Queensland - Silver

AAT Kings, Northern Territory - Bronze

Tour and/or Transport Operators

Tour Barossa, South Australia - Winner

Moonraker Dolphin Swims, Victoria - Silver

Life's an Adventure, NSW - Bronze

Adventure Tourism

Life's an Adventure, NSW - Winner

Enchanted Adventure Garden, Victoria - Silver

Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours, Victoria - Bronze

Destination Marketing

The Human Brochure ACT - Winner

Outback Queensland Travellers' Guide 2013, Queensland - Silver

Tourism Southern Highlands, NSW - Bronze

Tourism Education and Training

Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School, NSW - Winner

Australian Tourism Data, Western Australiarehouse – Tourism e‐kit, Queensland - Silver

Crown College, Victoria - Bronze

Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services

The Corner Restaurant, NSW - Winner

Stillwater at Crittenden, Victoria - Silver

Windy Point Restaurant and Café, South Australia - Bronze

Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries

Pindarie Cellar Door, South Australia - Winner

Margan Wines, NSW - Silver

Ocean View Estates Winery and Restaurant, Queensland - Bronze

Tourist and Caravan Parks

BIG4 Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort, Queensland - Winner

BIG4 Adelaide Shores Caravan Park, South Australia - Silver

Nambucca River Tourist Park, NSW - Bronze

Backpacker Accommodation

Sydney Harbour YHA (Hall of Fame), NSW - Winner

Space Hotel, Victoria - Silver

Cairns Central YHA, Queensland - Bronze

Hosted Accommodation

Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat, Queensland - Winner

Honeycomb Valley Farm ‐ Farmstay, NSW - Silver

The Australasian Circa 1858, South Australia - Bronze

Unique Accommodation

Whitsunday Escape, Queensland - Winner

Rawnsley Park Station Eco Villas, South Australia - Silver

Rocky Hills Retreat, Tasmania - Bronze

Standard Accommodation

Blue Moon Cottages, Victoria - Winner

Narnu Farm, South Australia - Silver

Ibis Styles Katherine, Northern Territory - Bronze

Deluxe Accommodation

Lasseters Hotel, Northern Territory - Winner

Fairmont Resort MGallery, NSW - Silver

Emaroo Port Hughes, South Australia - Bronze

Luxury Accommodation

Emporium Hotel, Queensland - Winner

Saffire – Freycinet, Tasmania - Silver

Sails in the Desert Hotel, Northern Territory - Bronze

New Tourism Development

Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions – Great White Adventure, South Australia - Winner

Treetop Adventure Park Sydney, NSW - Silver

SKYCITY Darwin (Resort), Northern Territory - Bronze

Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism

Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, Tasmania - Winner

Adelaide Shores, South Australia - Silver

Crystal Creek Meadows Luxury Cottages and Spa Retreat, NSW - Bronze

Local Government Award

City of Swan, Western Australia - Winner

Port Macquarie Hastings Council, NSW - Silver

Alexandrina Council, South Australia - Bronze

2013 Australian Tourism Legend - (National Outstanding Contribution by an Individual)

Julian Ledger, NSW - Winner

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16th February 2013 - REGIONAL AUSTRALIA OUTDOES CITIES AT TOURISM AWARDS