South Australia’s strength in tourism was on display last night at the 40th Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, securing a total of nine awards, including prestigious Gold recognitions. This event, a major highlight of the tourism calendar, was held at the Adelaide Convention Centre, hosting 800 industry leaders and professionals from around the country.
The celebrated event spotlighted South Australia’s dedication to excellence in tourism through its high-quality services and experiences. Seppeltsfield Barossa clinched the Gold Award in the Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries category. Old Coach Road Estate, a first-time national finalist, won Gold in the Self-Contained Accommodation category for its luxurious offerings on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Silver awards were garnered by The Big Duck Boat Tours for Ecotourism, Spirit of the Coorong in the Tour & Transport Operators, Bendleby Ranges in Adventure Tourism, and Oval Hotel in the 4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation category.
Bronze recognitions were achieved by Kool Tours in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences, Barossa Australia for Tourism Marketing & Campaigns with the ‘Barossa. Be Curious’ campaign, and the Adelaide Fringe for Excellence in Accessible Tourism.
Acknowledged for its noteworthy role in hosting this significant event, South Australia also marked the 40th anniversary of these awards with a retrospective glance at the vibrancy and evolution in tourism over the past four decades. This year’s awards’ ceremony also highlighted the growth and innovation within the state’s tourism sector, including recent investments in luxury hotels and development of exceptional tourism experiences.
Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison, shared her pride in hosting such a prestigious celebration. “As a destination of celebration, it was an honour to host the night of nights for our country’s tourism industry and mark the 40th anniversary of the Australian Tourism Awards in Adelaide,” stated Minister Bettison. She also praised the statewide advancements in tourism, “A lot has changed about our State’s tourism industry in the 10 years since we last hosted the national awards, so I was incredibly proud to share some of the advancements we have made to the leading industry delegates here this week.”
Emma Terry, CEO of the South Australian Tourism Commission, said “South Australia shone brightly at the 40th Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, showcasing the State’s unique blend of hospitality and innovation that leaves a lasting impression.”
Shaun de Bruyn, CEO of the Tourism Industry Council South Australia, congratulated all finalists for representing their state at a national level. “The Australian Tourism Awards is a highly competitive awards program that demands passionate commitment to tourism excellence,” he noted.
These accolades underscore the diversity and quality of South Australia’s tourism industry, prominently featuring on a national stage. Nominations for the 2025 South Australian Tourism Awards are set to open on May 1, giving another opportunity for local businesses to showcase their commitment to excellence in tourism.
The full list of winners
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences
GOLD – Cape York Peninsula Lodge (QLD)
SILVER – Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia – Wintjiri Wiṟu (NT)
BRONZE – Kool Tours (SA)
Cultural Tourism
GOLD – Shrine of Remembrance (VIC)
SILVER – SEIT Tours (NT)
BRONZE – Port Macquarie Museum (NSW)
Unique Accommodation
GOLD – Sierra Escape (NSW)
SILVER – The Cove Tasmania (TAS)
BRONZE – Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm (WA)
Self Contained Accommodation
GOLD – Old Coach Road Estate (SA)
SILVER – Pinnacles, Airlie Beach (QLD)
BRONZE – Alice’s Cottages (TAS)
Hosted Accommodation
GOLD – The Dragonfly Inn (TAS)
SILVER – Boat Harbour Jetty B&B (VIC)
BRONZE – Wooleen Station (WA)
Caravan & Holiday Parks
Hall of Fame Inductee GOLD – BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort (QLD)
SILVER – Alivio Tourist Park Canberra (CBR)
BRONZE – BIG4 St Helens Holiday Park (TAS)
New Tourism Business
GOLD – Spinifex Brewery Cable Beach (WA)
SILVER – Red Rock Hut, King Island (TAS)
BRONZE – NT Driver Guide – Escorted Touring (NT)
Tourism Marketing & Campaigns
GOLD – The Tweed Tourism Company (NSW)
SILVER – Rottnest Island Authority – Wrap Yourself In Wonder (WA)
BRONZE – Barossa Australia – Barossa. Be Curious (SA)
Ecotourism
GOLD – National Arboretum Canberra (CBR)
SILVER – The Big Duck Boat Tours (SA)
BRONZE – Busselton Jetty (WA)
Business Event Venues
GOLD – Peppers Silo Hotel (TAS)
SILVER – Darwin Convention Centre (NT)
BRONZE – Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (VIC)
Tour & Transport Operators
GOLD – Fun Over 50 Holidays – Immersive Tours and Adventures (QLD)
SILVER – Spirit of the Coorong (SA)
BRONZE – Air Adventure Golf (TAS)
Major Tour & Transport Operators
GOLD – HeliSpirit (WA)
SILVER – Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (TAS)
BRONZE – Ocean Rafting (QLD)
Tourism Retail, Hire & Services
GOLD – Younique Stays (TAS)
SILVER – Go Adventure Nagambie (VIC)
BRONZE – Uluru Audio Guide (NT)
Adventure Tourism
GOLD – Balloon Aloft Australia (NSW)
SILVER – Bendleby Ranges (SA)
BRONZE – Aquascene Magnetic Island (QLD)
Excellence in Food Tourism
GOLD – Harvest Tours (WA)
SILVER – Love Lord Howe (NSW)
BRONZE – The Truffle Farm (TAS)
Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services
GOLD – Sea World Cruises Dining Experiences (QLD)
SILVER – Grain of the Silos (TAS)
BRONZE – Potager (NSW)
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries
GOLD – Seppeltsfield Barossa (SA)
SILVER – Bangor Vineyard Shed (TAS)
BRONZE – Singlefile Wines (WA)
Visitor Information Services
GOLD – Swan Valley Visitor Centre (WA)
SILVER – Quilpie Visitor Information Centre, Museum & Gallery (QLD)
BRONZE – Canberra and Region Visitors Centre (CBR)
3-3.5 Star Accommodation
Hall of Fame Inductee GOLD – Urban Camp Melbourne (VIC)
SILVER – Safari Lodge Motel (NT)
BRONZE – Broadwater Resort, Busselton (WA)
4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation
GOLD – Peppers Silo Hotel (TAS)
SILVER – Oval Hotel (SA)
BRONZE – Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort (QLD)
5 Star Luxury Accommodation
GOLD – The Reef House Adults Retreat (QLD)
SILVER – Mt Hay Retreat (NSW)
BRONZE – Pullman Bunker Bay Resort (WA)
Excellence in Accessible Tourism
GOLD – Balloon Aloft Australia (NSW)
SILVER – National Arboretum Canberra (CBR)
BRONZE – Adelaide Fringe (SA)
Tourist Attractions
GOLD – Katherine Outback Experience (NT)
SILVER – Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NSW)
BRONZE – National Dinosaur Museum (CBR)
Major Tourist Attractions
GOLD – Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre (CBR)
SILVER – Zoos Victoria – Melbourne Zoo (VIC)
BRONZE – WA Museum Boola Bardip (WA)
Festivals & Events
GOLD – Birdsville Big Red Bash (QLD)
SILVER – Margaret River Region Open Studios (WA)
BRONZE – Junction Arts Festival (TAS)
Major Festivals and Events
GOLD – Darwin Festival (NT)
SILVER – Beef Australia 2024 (QLD)
BRONZE – Lightscape Melbourne – Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (VIC)
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