Sunshine Coast tourism businesses have claimed a string of accolades at the 40th annual Queensland Tourism Awards, recognising the region’s excellence, creativity and enduring appeal within the state’s $34.7 billion visitor economy.
Held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, the milestone event brought together more than 1,000 industry leaders to celebrate the best in Queensland tourism. Sunshine Coast operators stood out across key categories, reaffirming the region’s reputation as one of the State’s most popular tourism destinations.
Sunshine Coast winners were:
Gold – Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat – Hosted Accommodation
Silver:
Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World – Tourist Attractions
Maleny Cheese Café – Excellence in Food Tourism
Saltwater Eco Tours – Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences
Bronze:
Noosa Triathlon – Major Festivals & Events
The Country House at Hunchy – Hosted Accommodation
Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) CEO Natassia Wheeler congratulated the region’s winners, noting that the Sunshine Coast continues to help lead the way in sustainability, innovation and experience design.
“The Sunshine Coast has an incredible depth of talent and creativity across its tourism sector,” Wheeler said. “From coastal experiences to hinterland retreats, these operators embody the passion and quality that keep visitors returning year after year.”
Wheeler said the milestone 40th year of the Awards comes at a defining time for the sector.
“Tourism is one of Queensland’s most important economic pillars – supporting more than 260,000 jobs and contributing billions to the economy each year. As we look towards Brisbane 2032, there’s never been a more critical time to recognise and strengthen the talent that underpins our success.”
Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Minister for Science and Innovation Andrew Powell said he was blown away by the talent, dedication and range of the tourism operators recognised last night.
“Queensland is the home of the holiday – and for good reason,” said Minister Powell.
“The Awards are a public recognition of the sensational offerings put forward by operators the length and breadth of the State.”
Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Craig Davidson congratulated winners and finalists and said the gala represents a united industry who are ready to show the world what they’re made of.
“Congratulations to all the winners and finalists – your success strengthens our industry and inspires us as we look to the future.”
The event concluded Tourism Week 2025, following a successful week of industry collaboration through Destination IQ and DestinationQ – both focused on growing Queensland’s tourism leadership and global advantage.
Queensland Tourism Awards is supported by the Queensland Government and Tourism and Events Queensland.
The 2025 Queensland Tourism Award Winners Are:
Major Tourist Attractions, sponsored by Queensland Airports
Gold: GC Aqua Park, Gold Coast
Silver: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast
Bronze: SkyPoint, Gold Coast
Highly Commended: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Brisbane
Tourist Attractions, sponsored by Intrepid Travel
Gold: The Crystal Caves, Tropical North Queensland
Silver: Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World, Sunshine Coast
Bronze: Daintree Discovery Centre, Tropical North Queensland
Major Festivals & Events, sponsored by Oztix
Gold: Blues on Broadbeach 2025, Gold Coast
Silver: Savannah in the Round, Tropical North Queensland
Bronze: Noosa Triathlon, Sunshine Coast
Festivals & Events, sponsored by Containers for Change
Gold: Abbey Medieval Festival, Moreton Bay
Silver: Rockynats 05, Capricorn
Bronze: Festival of Outback Skies, Outback Queensland
The Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism, sponsored by Queensland Government
Gold: Fun Over 50 Holidays – Immersive Tours and Adventures, Brisbane
Silver: Daintree Discovery Centre, Tropical North Queensland
Bronze: Paronella Park, Tropical North Queensland
Highly Commended: Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours, Tropical North Queensland
Cultural Tourism, sponsored by Queensland Performing Arts Centre
Gold: Fun Over 50 Holidays – Immersive Tours and Adventures, Brisbane
Silver: Queensland Music Trails – The Outback Trail, Outback Queensland
Bronze: Paronella Park, Tropical North Queensland
Highly Commended: Jarramali Rock Art Tours, Tropical North Queensland
Award for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences, sponsored by The Star Entertainment Group
Gold: Cape York Peninsula Lodge, Tropical North Queensland
Silver: Saltwater Eco Tours, Sunshine Coast
Bronze: Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Gold Coast
Tourism, Retail, Hire & Services, sponsored by Cobber
Gold: Shute Harbour Marine Terminal, Whitsundays
Silver: Whitsunday Coast Airport, Whitundays
Bronze: Drive Queensland, Tropical North Queensland
Visitor Information Services, sponsored by The Tourism Group
Gold: St George Region Explore Centre, Outback Queensland
Silver: Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre, Brisbane
Bronze: Quilpie Visitor Information Centre, Museum and Gallery, Outback Queensland
Business Event Venues
Gold: Cairns Convention Centre, Tropical North Queensland
Silver: Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast
Bronze: Tamborine Mountain Glades, Gold Coast
Major Tour & Transport Operators, sponsored by Queensland Airports Ltd
Gold: Fun Over 50 Holidays – Immersive Tours and Adventures, Brisbane
Silver: Outback Aussie Tours, Outback Queensland
Bronze: Cairns Adventure Group, Tropical North Queensland
Tour & Transport Operators, sponsored by Bishopp Outdoor Advertising
Gold: Iconic Whitsunday Adventures, Whitsundays
Silver: Cape York Motorcycle Adventures, Tropical North Queensland
Bronze: Queensland Helicopters, Outback Queensland
Highly Commended: Stradbroke Island Tours, Brisbane
Adventure Tourism, sponsored by Big Red Group
Gold: Cape York Motorcycle Adventures, Tropical North Queensland
Silver: Iconic Whitsunday Adventures, Whitsundays
Bronze: Cairns Adventure Group, Tropical North Queensland
The Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing & Campaigns, sponsored by Tourism Australia
Gold: The Lifetime of Greatness Project, Tropical North Queensland
Silver: Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, Queensland Country
Bronze: Explore Rockhampton Major Event Campaign, Capricorn
Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services, sponsored by TAFE Queensland
Gold: Devon Pixies, Brisbane
Silver: Wine & Dine’m Catering, Brisbane
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Catering Services
Gold: Beenleigh Artisan Distillery, Brisbane
Silver: Bundaberg Rum Distillery, Bundaberg
Bronze: Western Queensland Spirit Distillery & Cellar Door, Outback Queensland
Caravanning & Holiday Park, sponsored by Caravanning Queensland
Gold: BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park and Motel, Gold Coast
Silver: Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park, Gold Coast
Bronze: Broadwater Tourist Park, Gold Coast
Highly Commended: Cape York Camping Punsand Bay, Tropical North Queensland
Hosted Accommodation
Gold: Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat, Sunshine Coast
Silver: Clandulla Cottages & Farmstay, Brisbane
Bronze: The Country House at Hunchy, Sunshine Coast
Unique Accommodation, Hosted by Tourism & Events Moreton Bay
Gold: Whitsunday Escape, Whitsundays
Silver: Mitchell Grass Retreat, Outback Queensland
Bronze: High Valley Dawn Permaculture Farm, Capricorn
Self Contained Accommodation, sponsored by ARAMA
Gold: Pinnacles Airlie Beach, Whitsundays
Silver: Ridgemill Estate Winery and Cabins in the Vineyard, Queensland Country
Bronze: Holiday Holiday, Gold Coast
3 to 3.5 Star Accommodation, sponsored by Ernst & Young
Gold: Lazy Lizard Motor Inn, Tropical North Queensland
Silver: Great Keppel Island Hideaway, Capricorn
Bronze: Wongai Beach Hotel, Tropical North Queensland
4 to 4.5 Star Accommodation, sponsored by Resly
Gold: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, Tropical North Queensland
Silver: Quest Mackay on Gordon, Mackay
Bronze: Diamondvale Estate, Queensland Country
Highly Commended: Cape York Peninsula Lodge, Tropical North Queensland
5 Star Luxury Accommodation, sponsored by Sofitel Brisbane Central
Gold: Reef House Adults Retreat, Tropical North Queensland
Silver: Crystalbrook Vincent, Brisbane
Bronze: InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef, Whitsundays
New Tourism Business
Gold: Turtle Sands Nature Resort, Bundaberg
Silver: Nautical By Nature Mackay, Mackay
Bronze: Distillery Road Market, Brisbane
Excellence in Food Tourism, sponsored by Gallagher
Gold: Scenic Rim Regional Council – Scenic Rim Eat Local Movement, Brisbane
Silver: Maleny Cheese Cafe, Sunshine Coast
Excellence in Accessible Tourism, sponsored by Queensland Airports Ltd
Gold: Bay Island Lifestyle, Brisbane
Silver: GC Wake Park, Gold Coast
Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or Volunteer Group, sponsored by AVIS
Gold: Brisbane Visitor Information & Booking Centre, Brisbane
Silver: Brisbane Airport Ambassador Program, Brisbane
Bronze: Bowen Tourism and Business Volunteers, Whitsundays
The Stephen Gregg Award for Young Achiever of the Year, sponsored by Experience Gold Coast
Gold: Eloise Chaffers, Capricorn
The Marie Watson-Blake Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual, sponsored by Channel Seven
Gold: Stewart Moore
RACQ People’s Choice – Experiences and Services
Paronella Park, Tropical North Queensland
RACQ People’s Choice – Accommodation
Tamborine Mountain Glades, Gold Coast
