Even in these unsteady times, one thing is certain: Queensland continues to dazzle as a world-class tourist destination.
And shining brightest of all are the recent recipients of gold in this year’s Queensland Tourism Awards.
Here are some of 2021’s big winners…
Currumbin Bird Sanctuary on the Gold Coast took out gold in the Major Tourist Attractions category.
This Gold Coast icon is a long-time favourite with tourists – 70 years young and home to a host of native superstars.
Keep the applause going for another environmental champ – exquisite Lady Elliot Island Eco-Resort, which won gold in the Steve Irwin Award for Eco-Tourism.
Sitting on the southern Great Barrier Reef, the resort offers guests the chance to dive or snorkel (or both) with more than 1200 different species of marine life.
From reef to ranch – Beef Week 2021 had a ‘bullish’ night at the awards, scoring gold in not one, but two categories – Major Festivals & Events + Excellence in Food Tourism.
Bundaberg Rum Distillery also enjoyed a double shot of accolades – winning gold in both the Tourist Attractions and Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries categories… and entering the Queensland Tourism Awards’ coveted Hall of Fame.
Not to be outshone… Red Cat Adventures won gold in the Major Tour Operators and Adventure Tourism categories…. cruising into the Hall of Fame for both.
In this Year of Indigenous Tourism, Spirits of the Red Sand at Beenleigh took gold in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism category.
And Simon Thornalley of Saltwater Eco-Tours on the Sunshine Coast was named Young Achiever 2021. Simon and his partner launched the tourism venture to share his maritime and indigenous heritage.
Taking the Cultural Tourism gold was Fun Over Fifty – offering tours by coach, rail and cruise to travellers in their prime.
Fun Over Fifty was also honoured with the inaugural Judges Award for Innovation and Resilience – proving yet again that our famous can-do Queensland spirit can triumph in even the most trying of times.