And the winners are…. Queensland tourism!

The awards were held on Friday 18 March at the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre and celebrated the outstanding achievements by individuals and businesses across our tourism community throughout the last twelve months.

Queensland is now home to the nation’s best ‘Adventure Tourism’ provider, with Red Cat Adventures taking out Gold for this category, as well as Silver for Major Tour and Transport Operator.

Red Cat Adventures offer award-winning marine and land-based tourism experiences in the Whitsundays, creating safe, fun and immersive learning opportunities and experiences for visitors.

This fantastic family-owned business has been supported by the department through the Growing Tourism Infrastructure Fund and the COVID-19 Marine Tourism Assistance Scheme. They also recently hosted two school excursions supported with subsidies under our Great Barrier Reef Education Experience program. Red Cat led students through curriculum-related education activities out to the reef, including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s new ‘Be a Marine Biologist for the Day’ education program – a new initiative to build students’ citizen science skills and increase connections with the reef.

Other Queensland winners who have been supported by the department are Julia Creek Caravan Park who took out silver in the Caravan and Holiday Parks category and the InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, winning bronze for 5 Star Accommodation. A special mention goes out to Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort and Mitchell Grass Retreat who were recognised as finalists.

It was a fantastic night for all 21 Queensland finalists and winners.