Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
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More than 900 tourism industry representatives gathered on the Gold Coast for the 41st Queensland Tourism Awards, with Mackay and the Whitsundays taking home 13 honours between them.
The gala at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre wrapped up Queensland Tourism Week. Run by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, the awards followed months of mentoring, benchmarking and independent assessment, with this year’s winners drawn from 12 regions.
Council CEO Natassia Wheeler said the awards recognised the work operators put into improving what they offer visitors. She also pointed to the industry’s reach, with tourism supporting more than 277,000 jobs across Queensland.
“They have looked hard at every part of their operation, invested in their people and lifted the experience for every visitor who walks through their door,” Wheeler said.
Whitsunday Escape took home the Whitsundays’ only gold, winning the Unique Accommodation category.
In Bowen, the team at the Big Mango had two reasons to celebrate, taking silver in the Visitor Information Centre category, while its volunteers picked up bronze for the second year running. Whitsunday Coast Airport and Iconic Whitsunday Adventures also came away with a silver and a bronze, while Pinnacles Airlie Beach earned silver in Self Contained Accommodation.
Mackay collected five honours. Nautical By Nature Mackay took bronze in The Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism and was highly commended in Adventure Tourism. Oh Deere Farm Stay and Quest Mackay on Gordon also earned bronze, while Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre was highly commended in Business Event Venues.
Iconic Whitsunday Adventures has taken home silver in Adventure Tourism and bronze in Tour and Transport Operators at the 2026 Queensland Tourism Awards, marking the third year in a row the family-run business has been recognised at the state awards.
“When you work so hard all year round, it’s incredibly rewarding to have that effort recognised,” said Iconic Whitsunday Adventures Director, Nicole Graham.
“We’re a locally owned, family-run business, so to be recognised alongside the best operators in the state is humbling. It also shines a light on the passionate people who work here every day.”
Nicole and her husband, Jeremy, founded the business out of a shared love of the ocean, starting with Sundowner before expanding into other on-water experiences including Lady Enid and Viper, plus on-land experience Coastal Explorer.
Nicole said the awards submission itself was a chance to look closely at how the business was doing, from its environmental practices to the working conditions of its crew.
“Putting a submission in for the Queensland Tourism Awards is not an easy task in itself, but I love the process as it really makes you look at your business year-round and keep improving,” Graham said.
The operator caters for different ages and travel styles, with the team constantly working to keep that experience personal as the business grows, pointing to reef care, guest education and respect for culture and Sea Country as part of the work that goes into each trip.
“We offer a diverse range of experiences for different ages and travel styles, delivered by a crew who genuinely love what they do,” she said.
Nicole thanked the crew for the care they show guests and acknowledged the support of family, partners and suppliers. She also made a point of thanking the locals who keep coming back.
“Thank you to our guests, our family, our partners and suppliers, and the locals from Mackay to Townsville who come back time and time again,” Graham said.
“This win belongs to our whole team, and we’re excited to keep protecting and sharing the place we love for years to come.”
Whitsunday Coast Airport has reinforced its reputation as one of regional Queensland's leading tourism gateways, securing two prestigious awards at the 2026 Queensland Tourism Awards.
The Whitsunday Regional Council-owned airport received Silver for Excellence in Accessible Tourism and Bronze for Tourism Retail, Hire and Services, recognising its commitment to delivering quality, inclusive visitor experiences.
The double success highlights the important role Council-owned tourism infrastructure plays in supporting the Whitsundays' visitor economy and strengthening the region's reputation as a world-class destination.
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins said the awards were outstanding recognition for the airport team and the broader tourism industry.
"Our airport is a vital economic asset connecting our region to the rest of Australia, supporting local jobs, businesses and tourism operators," Mayor Collins said.
"The Silver award for Accessible Tourism is particularly pleasing because it recognises our commitment to making the Whitsundays a welcoming and inclusive destination for everyone.
"I also congratulate all our Whitsundays tourism operators recognised at this year's awards. Their success reflects the quality, diversity and professionalism of our tourism industry and the collective effort that makes our region one of Australia's premier visitor destinations.
"Tourism is a cornerstone of our regional economy, and these awards demonstrate why continued investment, innovation and collaboration across the industry are so important."
With the Whitsundays preparing to host sailing events for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the region's tourism gateways and operators will play an increasingly important role in welcoming visitors from across Australia and around the world.
Bowen Visitor Information Centre won silver in the Visitor Services category at the Queensland Tourism Awards, while its volunteers earned bronze in Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or Volunteer Group for the second year in a row.
The silver is a sign of improvement from last year’s bronze for the centre, following a record financial year for visitor numbers at its home beside Bowen’s Big Mango.
“We have won Bronze in the same awards in the past so to go one better and win Silver at State Level was a real honour,” said Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business Leanne Abernethy.
Visitor numbers were not the only notable milestone for the centre this year, having produced a new visitor guide, expanded its merchandise range, installed new wheelchair-friendly furniture on its deck and also taking Visitor Information Centre of the Year for the second consecutive year at the Queensland Information Centres Association conference.
Bowen Tourism and Business thanked its staff, volunteers and committee, along with Whitsunday Regional Council for its ongoing funding support, and its more than 200 members.
“Our volunteers are such an integral part of the business,” Leanne said.
“They greet every visitor with a smile and they are a dedicated, passionate group of people who turn up every week to welcome thousands of visitors.”
The team congratulated the other winners and wished gold medalist Cunnamulla Fella Information Centre all the best at the national awards in February.
After more than 20 years of welcoming holidaymakers to Airlie Beach, Pinnacles has taken home silver in the Self Catering Accommodation category at the 2026 Queensland Tourism Awards.
“It's always an incredible feeling to receive recognition at a state level,” said Pinnacles General Manager, Sue Watson.
“The calibre of tourism operators across Queensland is outstanding, so to be recognised amongst some of the best in the industry is something we're extremely proud of.”
Pinnacles is celebrating a silver award that recognises the team’s resilience and determination to provide day-to-day care for guests and its ongoing work to improve the property’s facilities.
“This award is really a reflection of the amazing team we have at Pinnacles,” she said.
“Their hard work, dedication and genuine commitment to our guests are what make the difference.
“It's wonderful to see their efforts recognised on such a significant stage.”
Sue also thanked the apartment owners, contractors and suppliers who help keep Pinnacles running, along with the wider Whitsundays tourism industry.
“We're also fortunate to be part of such a supportive and passionate tourism industry here in the Whitsundays,” she said. “It's very much a collective effort.”
Sue also congratulated fellow finalists and acknowledged the time and effort that goes into entering the awards.
“To be surrounded by so many dedicated operators and recognised amongst them is pretty special,” she said.
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