Whitsundays Represent At National Awards

The Whitsundays was proudly represented by some of its finest tourism operators at the 2026 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, held in Perth last Friday night.

Four local businesses were named finalists at the national awards after first taking out honours at the state level last year. Pinnacles Airlie Beach was a finalist in the Self-Contained Accommodation category, Iconic Whitsunday Adventures was a finalist in Tour & Transport Operators, Shute Harbour Marine Terminal was a finalist in the Tourism Retail, Hire & Services category and Whitsunday Escape was recognised in the Unique Accommodation category.

While none of the local operators took home a national award on the night, reaching the national stage after winning at the state level remains a significant achievement.

The Australian Tourism Awards bring together the country’s leading tourism operators, celebrating excellence, innovation and outstanding visitor experiences across the industry.

This year the awards featured 26 categories, ranging from Major Tourist Attractions, Festivals & Events, Ecotourism and Cultural Tourism to Accommodation and Food Tourism, with a total of 179 finalists nationally.

“These finalists demonstrate the quality, creativity and dedication that make the Whitsundays a world-class tourism destination,” said Tim Booth, Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Whitsundays.

“Their achievements highlight the diversity and innovation in our region and set a high benchmark for the industry nationally.”

Local Tourism Operators Shine On National Stage

“Congratulations to all the winners and those nominated at the Australian Tourism Awards held in Perth last night,” said Pinnacles Airlie Beach in a Facebook post over the weekend.

“It was a great night celebrating industry, and we are so proud of our team and being able to represent Queensland.”

Owners of Iconic Whitsunday Adventures, Nicole and Jeremy Graham, said it was an incredible honour to represent Queensland on the national stage alongside some of the country’s most respected tourism operators.

“Being recognised as a finalist at the Australian Tourism Awards is something we are incredibly proud of,” said Nicole Graham.

“To represent not only the Whitsundays but also Queensland at a national level was a very special moment for our business and our team.”

The event was made even more meaningful for the family as their children, Georgie and Bracken, were able to attend the awards with them.

“Our children have grown up alongside the business and have seen firsthand what it takes to run a tourism operation in a seven-day-a-week industry,” Nicole said.

“Taking them with us to the national awards was incredibly special. They’ve been part of the journey, and it felt right that they could share that moment with us.”

Nicole said the recognition was a reflection of the passion and dedication of their entire crew.

“Our team are the people creating unforgettable experiences for our guests every single day. To be recognised at both the state and national level is something that belongs to all of them.”

The Qantas Australian Tourism Awards recognise operators who deliver unforgettable visitor experiences, drive innovation and contribute to the growth and sustainability of their destinations.

The Whitsundays’ representation across four categories underscores the region’s strength as a leading tourism destination.

“The commitment of these businesses to creating memorable and unique experiences is what makes The Whitsundays so special for visitors from across Australia and the world,” Mr Booth added.

Captions:

1: The Graham family from Iconic Whitsunday Adventures. Photo supplied

2: The team from Pinnacles, Airlie Beach. Photo supplied

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