With passion, grit and decades of guiding experience under her belt, Cherene Poidevin of Driftwood Tours has claimed GOLD in the Land-Based Tours category at the 2025 Whitsunday Tourism Awards, and she did it as a one-woman team.
“I want to jump up and click my heels!” Cherene laughed. “After guiding many years for others and giving it 100%, it is a dream to do it for myself now and give it 150%.”
This is not her first brush with success. Driftwood Tours was awarded Gold for Best New Tour Business in 2023 and took home Bronze for Cultural Tourism and Finalist for Tour Operator in 2024.
Cherene attributes her win to a focus on genuine, friendly service and attention to detail. “Every guest should feel welcomed and seen,” she says. “I have a passion for history, the stories, nature, and guests enjoy that I can chat to them about these and make the tours engaging and immersive.”
With over 30 years of experience in outdoor recreation and guiding, Cherene still attends professional development courses yearly to maintain high standards. “I am sole owner and operator,” she says proudly.
She thanks “The whole world! Guests, agents, locals and my friends,” for their support.
With the introduction of a separate land-based category, Cherene believes the change “gave those operators a chance to be recognised and that it is not only the islands that have fantastic experiences.”
“What a daily buzz to be able to take visitors from all over the world to experience this paradise,” Cherene emphasised.
Photo credit: R Jean Photography
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