7 November 2026: Eumundi Markets, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, Cairns Convention Centre and Bundaberg Rum Distillery Visitor Experience are among Queensland’s top tourism businesses named at the 41st Queensland Tourism Awards on the Gold Coast last night, with gold winners now set to represent the State at the Australian Tourism Awards in Geelong in February 2027.
More than 900 industry representatives filled the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre for the black-tie gala, before celebrations moved next door to The Star Gold Coast. The Awards closed Queensland Tourism Week 2026, hosted by the Gold Coast this year, and recognised excellence across a visitor economy worth around $45.5 billion a year to Queensland.
Among the major winners were Cunnamulla Fella Visitor Information Centre (Outback Queensland), Whitsunday Escape (Whitsundays), Dive Spear and Sport 1770 (Gladstone) and Ridgemill Estate Winery (Queensland Country) and Abbey Medieval Festival (Brisbane).
The Awards, delivered by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) with Queensland Airports Limited as Presenting Partner and Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation and Tourism and Events Queensland as Principal Partners, follow months of mentoring, benchmarking and independent assessment.
QTIC CEO Natassia Wheeler said the winners had set the standard Queensland would need to meet as the world turned its attention to the State ahead of Brisbane 2032.
“These businesses have earned their place among the best in the country. They have looked hard at every part of their operation, invested in their people and lifted the experience for every visitor who walks through their door,” Wheeler said.
“That is what builds Queensland’s reputation, one great experience at a time. Every entrant, not just the winners, comes out of this process a stronger business.
“Our gold winners now take Queensland to the national stage, and I have no doubt they will make the State proud.“
Wheeler said the Awards were a reminder of how many jobs and communities depend on tourism.
“Tourism supports more than 277,000 jobs across Queensland, from the Gold Coast and out to the Outback, and this week’s host city shows just what tourism can build. This year’s winners come from 12 regions, and that spread is the story of Queensland tourism.“
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell MP said Queensland’s tourism success was built on the operators who create the experiences visitors remember long after their holiday ends.
“These awards recognise the people, businesses and communities that make Queensland such a special place to visit,” Minister Powell said.
“Our tourism operators are the face of Queensland for millions of visitors each year, and tonight’s winners reflect the excellence, innovation and commitment that help make Queensland the Home of the Holiday.
“Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists and winners, your hard work, creativity and hospitality are what keep visitors coming back and continue to showcase the very best of our state.”
Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Craig Davidson said: “We can show the world our beaches, reefs and Outback, but it’s operators like tonight’s winners who make visitors want to come back. Congratulations to every winner and finalist, and we’ll be cheering on our gold winners in Geelong.
The gala closed a week on the Gold Coast that began with DestinationIQ at The Star Gold Coast, brought industry together with the Premier and senior government leaders at DestinationQ, and included EventsQ, where Eurovision Song Contest director Martin Green CBE shared lessons from London 2012 and Birmingham 2022 with Queensland’s event organisers.
The Queensland Tourism Awards are proudly supported by the Queensland Government and Tourism and Events Queensland.
The 2026 Queensland Tourism Award winners are:
Major Tourist Attractions, sponsored by Queensland Airports Limited
- Gold: GC Aqua Park, Gold Coast (Hall of Fame)
- Silver: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Brisbane
- Bronze: Dreamworld, Gold Coast
Tourist Attractions, sponsored by RACQ
- Gold: Dracula’s, Gold Coast
- Silver: Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World, Sunshine Coast
- Bronze: Charlotte Plains, Outback Queensland
Major Festivals and Events, sponsored by The Star Entertainment Group
- Gold: Eumundi Markets, Sunshine Coast
- Silver: Stanthorpe Festival Association, Queensland Country
- Bronze: ASICS Gold Coast Marathon, Gold Coast
- Highly Commended: 2026 Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro presented by GWM, Gold Coast
Festivals and Events, sponsored by Containers for Change
- Gold: Abbey Medieval Festival, Brisbane
- Silver: Rockynats 06, Capricorn
- Bronze: Qld Music Trails: The Outback, presented by QMF, Brisbane
- Highly Commended: Pranafest, Brisbane
The Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism, sponsored by the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation
- Gold: Fun Over 50 Holidays – Immersive Tours & Adventures, Brisbane
- Silver: Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, Bundaberg
- Bronze: Nautical By Nature Mackay, Mackay
Cultural Tourism, sponsored by Cobber
- Gold: Fun Over 50 Holidays – Immersive Tours & Adventures, Brisbane
- Silver: WWII Secret Base Charleville, Outback Queensland
- Bronze: Hinkler Hall of Aviation, Bundaberg
Highly Commended: The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame &
Outback Heritage Centre, Outback Queensland
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences, sponsored by Bookeasy
- Gold: Saltwater Eco Tours, Sunshine Coast
- Silver: Jellurgal Cultural Experiences, Gold Coast
- Bronze: Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours, Tropical North Queensland
Tourism Retail, Hire and Services, sponsored by Total Tools
- Gold: East Coast Car Rentals, Gold Coast
- Silver: O’Reilly’s Mountain Cafe and Gift Shop, Gold Coast
- Bronze: Whitsunday Coast Airport, Whitsundays
Visitor Information Services, sponsored by The Tourism Group
- Gold: Cunnamulla Fella Visitor Information Centre, Outback Queensland
- Silver: Bowen Visitor Information Centre, Whitsundays
- Bronze: Noosa Visitor Information Centre, Sunshine Coast
Business Event Venues, sponsored by Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
- Gold: Cairns Convention Centre, Tropical North Queensland
- Silver: Sunshine Coast Convention Centre, Sunshine Coast
- Bronze: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane
- Highly Commended: Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre, Mackay
Major Tour and Transport Operators, sponsored by Queensland Airports Limited
- Gold: Fun Over 50 Holidays – Immersive Tours & Adventures, Brisbane
- Silver: Cairns Adventure Group, Tropical North Queensland
- Bronze: Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom, Tropical North Queensland
Tour and Transport Operators, sponsored by Bishopp Outdoor Advertising
- Gold: Dive Spear and Sport 1770, Gladstone
- Silver: Aquascene Magnetic Island, Townsville North Queensland
- Bronze: Iconic Whitsunday Adventures, Whitsundays
- Highly Commended: Brisbane Whale Watching, Brisbane
Adventure Tourism, sponsored by Big Red Group
- Gold: Cairns Adventure Group, Tropical North Queensland
- Silver: Iconic Whitsunday Adventures, Whitsundays
- Bronze: Aquascene Magnetic Island, Townsville North Queensland
- Highly Commended: Nautical By Nature Mackay, Mackay
The Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing and Campaigns, sponsored by Tourism Australia
- Gold: Busbys On Tour – Explore Rockhampton Family Drive Campaign, Capricorn
- Silver: Visit Moreton Bay, Brisbane
- Bronze: South Bank Destination Brand Refresh and Local Guides Campaign, Brisbane
Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services, sponsored by TAFE Queensland
- Gold: O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards, Gold Coast
- Silver: Dracula’s, Gold Coast
- Bronze: Devon Pixies, Brisbane
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries, sponsored by XXXX
- Gold: Ridgemill Estate Winery, Queensland Country
- Silver: Beenleigh Artisan Distillery, Brisbane
- Bronze: Bundaberg Rum Distillery Visitor Experience, Bundaberg
Caravan and Holiday Parks, sponsored by Caravanning Queensland
- Gold: BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park, Gold Coast
- Silver: Broadwater Tourist Park, Gold Coast
- Bronze: Burleigh Beach Tourist Park, Gold Coast
- Highly Commended: Cape York Camping Punsand Bay, Tropical North Queensland
Hosted Accommodation, sponsored by Gallagher
- Gold: Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat, Sunshine Coast
- Silver: Bli Bli House Riverside Retreat, Sunshine Coast
- Bronze: Clandulla Cottages & Farmstay, Brisbane
Unique Accommodation, sponsored by Sirromet
- Gold: Whitsunday Escape, Whitsundays
- Silver: Paradise Resort Gold Coast, Gold Coast
- Bronze: Oh Deere Farm Stay, Mackay
Self Contained Accommodation, sponsored by Sparke Helmore Lawyers
- Gold: RACV Noosa Resort, Sunshine Coast
- Silver: Pinnacles Airlie Beach, Whitsundays
- Bronze: Ridgemill Estate Cabins in the Vineyard, Queensland Country
Highly Commended: Pat’s Farm, Gold Coast
- 3 – 3.5 Star Accommodation, sponsored by ReviewPro
- Gold: O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, Gold Coast
- Silver: Lazy Lizard Motor Inn, Tropical North Queensland
- Bronze: Wongai Beach Hotel, Tropical North Queensland
- Highly Commended: Great Keppel Island Hideaway, Capricorn
4 – 4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation, sponsored by Novotel Surfers Paradise
- Gold: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, Tropical North Queensland (Hall of Fame)
- Silver: Diamondvale Estate, Queensland Country
- Bronze: Quest Mackay on Gordon, Mackay
5 Star Luxury Accommodation, sponsored by Hotel Schools Australia
- Gold: Reef House Adults Retreat, Tropical North Queensland
- Silver: The Calile Hotel, Brisbane
- Bronze: Crystalbrook Vincent, Brisbane
New Tourism Business, sponsored by Ernst & Young
- Gold: Alsahwa Estate, Sunshine Coast
Excellence in Food Tourism, sponsored by Vittoria Coffee
- Gold: Maleny Cheese, Sunshine Coast
- Silver: The Folly Truffles, Queensland Country
- Bronze: Scenic Rim Eat Local Movement, Brisbane
- Highly Commended: Wild Local, Townsville North Queensland
Excellence in Accessible Tourism, sponsored by Queensland Airports Limited
- Gold: Abbey Medieval Festival, Brisbane
- Silver: Whitsunday Coast Airport, Whitsundays
- Bronze: Bay Island Lifestyle, Brisbane
Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or Volunteer Group, sponsored by Avis
- Gold: Tourism and Events Moreton Bay Volunteer Group, Brisbane
- Silver: National Trust Australia for Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast
- Bronze: Bowen Tourism and Business Volunteers, Whitsundays
The Stephen Gregg Bursary for Young Achiever of the Year, sponsored by Experience Gold Coast
- Gold: Jeremy Miller, The Tourism Group, Brisbane
- Silver: Brooke Turner, Broadwater Tourist Park, Gold Coast
- Bronze: Carissa Kleinschmidt, Qantas Founders Museum, Outback Queensland
The Marie Watson-Blake Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual, sponsored by Seven Network
- Gold: Daniel Gschwind, EarthCheck, Brisbane
Ends.
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Heather Mollins | 0412421411 | heather@commspeople.au
Jennifer Swaine | 0438952830 | jen@commspeople.au