We are delighted to share that Ecotourism Australia-certified operators have won 17 awards across 10 categories from 40 finalists at the 2024 Qantas Australia Tourism Awards in Adelaide last Friday – our highest number of winners yet!
Our operators achieved seven Gold, five Silver and five Bronze across 10 categories, showing the breadth of certified businesses across Australia.
Most notably, Balloon Aloft Australia (Sustainable Tourism Certified) and Peppers Silo Hotel (Sustainable Tourism Certified) each won Gold in two categories, with Balloon Aloft winning the Adventure Tourism and Accessible Tourism categories, and Peppers Silo Hotel winning Business Event Venues and 4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation.
The Ecotourism category was well represented by our ECO Certified operators — congratulations to The Big Duck Tours for winning Silver and Busselton Jetty on their Bronze!
In the Major Tour and Transport Operators and Adventure Tourism categories, our operators dominated – taking out all three awards, demonstrating how sustainability practices are relevant across many different sectors of our industry.
Finally, huge congratulations go to the BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort (ECO Certified) who won Gold in the Caravan and Holiday Parks Category and earned a place in the prestigious Hall of Fame for winning gold three consecutive years – a phenomenal achievement!
See the full list of winners and finalists below:
Major Tourist Attractions
- Monarto Safari Park (SA) – Finalist
Tourist Attractions
- Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience (QLD) – Finalist
Ecotourism
- The Big Duck Boat Tours (SA) – Silver
- Busselton Jetty (WA) – Bronze
- Aquila Eco Retreat (TAS) – Finalist
- Kestrel Nest EcoHut at Highfield Farm & Woodland (NSW) – Finalist
- Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort (QLD) – Finalist
- Larapinta Trail, World Expeditions | Australian Walking Holidays (NT) – Finalist
Cultural Tourism
- Adelaide Zoo (SA) – Finalist
- Bungle Bungle Guided Tours (WA) – Finalist
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (QLD) – Finalist
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences
- Wintjiri Wiru – Ayers Rock Resort (NT) – Silver
- Zoos Victoria – Healesville Sanctuary (VIC) – Finalist
Business Event Venues
- Peppers Silo Hotel (TAS) – Gold
- Pullman Bunker Bay (WA) – Finalist
- Tamborine Mountain Glades (QLD) – Finalist
Major Tour & Transport Operators
- HeliSpirit (WA) – Gold
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (TAS) – Silver
- Ocean Rafting (QLD) – Bronze
- AAT Kings (NT) – Finalist
Tour & Transport Operators
- Fun Over 50 Holidays – Immersive Tours and Adventures (QLD) – Gold
- Spirit of the Coorong (SA) – Silver
- Margaret River Discovery Co (WA) – Finalist
Adventure Tourism
- Balloon Aloft Australia (NSW) – Gold
- Bendleby Ranges (SA) – Silver
- Aquascene Magnetic Island (QLD) – Bronze
- Larapinta Trail, World Expeditions | Australian Walking Holidays (NT) – Finalist
Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services
- Nitmiluk Tours and Cicada Lodge (NT) – Finalist
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries
- Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience (QLD) – Finalist
Caravan & Holiday Parks
- BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort (QLD) – Gold & Hall of Fame for winning gold 3 consecutive years in this category
Unique Accommodation
- All Seasons Houseboats (VIC) – Finalist
3-3.5 Star Accommodation
- Great Keppel Island Hideaway (QLD) – Finalist
- ibis Adelaide (SA) – Finalist
4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation
- Peppers Silo Hotel (TAS) – Gold
- Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort (QLD) – Bronze
5 Star Luxury Accommodation
- Pullman Bunker Bay (WA) – Bronze
Excellence in Accessible Tourism
- Balloon Aloft Australia (NSW) – Gold
- BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort (QLD) – Finalist
- Busselton Jetty (WA) – Finalist