Twenty-one tourism experiences were named as the best in Australia for visitors aged over 50, at the Grey Nomad Awards on the Sunshine Coast last night.
Heading the list was the Charlotte Plains Outback Magic station stay in Outback Queensland. The campground experience where visitors can stay on a working sheep and cattle station half the size of Singapore was named the Best of the Best* as the finale to the Awards celebration after being named the Gold Award winner of the Best Grey Nomad Farm or Station Stay earlier in the presentation.
Australia’s most remote golfing tournament, a 1930s castle in the rainforest, a sculpture trail that spans two states, and a quirky pub with bar stools shaped like cowgirls’ bottoms were among those that secured top honours.
South Australia’s only Gold award was for the Best Grey Nomad Community Stay. It was awarded to Booleroo Centre RV Park in the Southern Flinders Ranges.
The Southern Flinders Ranges also took out two more Bronze awards, with the Best Grey Nomad Historic Attraction going to Booleroo Steam and Traction Museum, and Best Grey Nomad Community Stay going to CMCA RV Park Port Pirie.
Commenting on the Awards, the judges said, “This year’s winners reflect the exceptional experiences on offer to senior travellers. Each winner is playing a small yet critical role in assisting the Australian tourism sector recovery.”
Grey Nomad Award Gold Winners
Best of the Best: Charlotte Plains Outback Magic Station Stay (Outback Queensland)
Best Grey Nomad Attraction: Paronella Park (Tropical North Queensland)
Best Grey Nomad Community Stay: Booleroo Centre RV Park (Southern Flinders Ranges, South Australia)
Best Grey Nomad Farm or Station Stay: Charlotte Plains Outback Magic Station Stay (Outback Queensland)
Best Grey Nomad Freedom Stay: Dumaresq River Free Camp (Southern Queensland Country)
Best Grey Nomad Historic Attraction: Paronella Park (Tropical North Queensland)Best Grey Nomad Large Caravan Park: Queens Beach Tourist Village (Whitsundays Queensland)
Best Grey Nomad Pub Stay: Wellshot Hotel (Outback Queensland)
Best Grey Nomad Small Caravan Park: Valley View Caravan Park (Victoria’s High Country)
Best Grey Nomad Tour: Charlotte Plains Outback Magic Property Tour (Outback Queensland)
Best Grey Nomad Trail: Mungindi Sculpture Trail (Outback Queensland)
Best Grey Nomad Festival or Event: Outback Queensland Masters (Outback Queensland)
Grey Nomad Award Silver Winners
Best Grey Nomad Attraction: Australian Age of Dinosaurs (Outback Queensland)
Best Grey Nomad Community Stay: CMCA RV Park Sundance Farm Batchelor (Top End NT)
Best Grey Nomad Farm or Station Stay: Tobermorey Station Roadhouse & Caravan Park (Central Australia NT)
Best Grey Nomad Historic Attraction: Charlotte Plains Outback Historic Attraction (Outback Queensland)
Best Grey Nomad Tour: Nundle Woollen Mill Tour (New England NSW)
Best Grey Nomad Festival or Event: Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular (Scenic Rim QLD)
Grey Nomad Award Bronze Winners
Best Grey Nomad Attraction: Charlotte Plains Outback Station Attraction (Outback Queensland)
Best Grey Nomad Community Stay: CMCA RV Park Port Pirie (Southern Flinders Ranges SA)
Best Grey Nomad Historic Attraction: Booleroo Steam and Traction Museum (Southern Flinders Ranges SA)
Best Grey Nomad Festival or Event: Big Skies Festival (Southern Queensland Country)
Awards Director Kim Morgan said “Australians have long enjoyed epic road trips, starting in the post-war period when economic prosperity and the launch of Holden coincided. That love of the open road has never dimmed, and as Australia is a big country, knowing where to visit to experience something extraordinary is highly valuable.”
* The Best of the Best is handed to the winner that impressed the judges the most, as identified by the highest cumulative score from all winners. It is the ultimate accolade in the Grey Nomad Awards, a niche national tourism program that shines a light on the best places for travellers aged over 50 to stay and play around the country.
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