Queens Beach Tourist Village Aims For Gold At Tourism Awards

After taking over management of Queens Beach Tourist Village just last year, new operators Mel and Bob Sotheringham are already gearing up for their first big milestone the Whitsunday Tourism Awards this Saturday night.

“It’s our first year since we took over the park on the first of October last year,” Mel said.

“This park’s done so well in the past, and we’re hoping we’re going to crack it this year.”

The Bowen-based park has earned silver in both 2023 and 2024, but Mel is quietly confident that this might finally be their year for gold.

Mel said she is hoping the new judging criteria is going to give them the

Queens Beach Tourist Village offers powered sites, cabins, a swimming pool, water park, and children’s playground. The park’s 140 sites are neatly hedged for privacy something Mel says guests love.

“What makes our park really unique is that each site is hedged off from the next one, so you have your own private little spot,” she said.

While the location isn’t beachfront, Mel says the team takes pride in setting a higher standard.

“We don’t have sea views, so we have to be that much better,” she said. “We’re about 400 metres off the beach, but people come here because this is where they want to be. Queens Beach Tourist Village has set a benchmark that’s so high.”

That benchmark, she said, comes down to presentation, attention to detail, and a loyal team.

“Some of our staff have been here more than 20 years. They take real ownership of this place,” Mel said. “They’ll get up at one o’clock in the morning if there’s a burst pipe, that’s the kind of dedication we have.”

Cleanliness is another point of pride.

“Our amenities blocks get a full scrub once a week. It’s all about presentation.”

It’s that level of care that keeps guests coming back year after year. The park recently opened bookings early for 2025, giving current guests first choice of sites and next year they are fully booked already.

“To me, that’s such an accolade,” Mel said. “We’ve got people calling every day trying to get in. We’re now just filling the little gaps.”

With steady upgrades each year, from amenities blocks to cabin repaints, Mel says nothing is ever left to deteriorate.

“If something’s broken, it’s fixed straight away,” she said. “Happy customer, happy park.”

And while the park may boast two swimming pools, manicured gardens and a celebrity German Shepherd who greets new arrivals, Mel believes it’s the team spirit that truly sets Queens Beach Tourist Village apart.

“We’re all about partnership not hierarchy,” she said. “It’s about helping each other make the park better all the time.”

As the team prepares for Saturday’s Whitsundays Tourism Awards, excitement is building.

“If we win, my face will break from smiling,” Mel said with a laugh. “It would be so exciting and a real credit to everyone who makes this place what it is.”

Queens Beach Tourist Village are hoping to get gold this Saturday. Photo sourced: Facebook

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