Qantas Australian Tourism Awards: best travel stays and experiences 2026

Qantas Australian Tourism Awards is Australia’s biggest annual celebration of tourism business excellence, recognising and elevating the best tourism Australia has to offer.

The event celebrates innovation and exceptional standards in tourism, and Signature Media is proud to support the initiative as a sponsor of the awards.

Questacon – the National Science and Technology Centre in Canberra was recognised as the winner of Major Tourist Attractions, while Events ACT Floriade claimed gold in the Major Festivals & Events category.

Turtle Sands Nature Resort took gold in the New Tourism Business category. The Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries category saw gold awarded to Beenleigh Artisan Distillery in Queensland.

Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort in Queensland triumphed in the 4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation category, with Bay Island Lifestyle securing gold in Excellence in Accessible Tourism.

See the full list of winners and finalists below.

The full list of awards are:

Major Tourist Attractions

GOLD – Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre, ACT
SILVER –WA Museum Boola Bardip, WA
BRONZE – Melbourne Cricket Ground, VIC

Tourist Attractions

GOLD – Katherine Outback Experience, NT
SILVER – Northern Rivers Rail Trail, NSW
BRONZE – Albany’s Historic Whaling Station, WA

Major Festivals & Events

GOLD – Events ACT – Floriade 2024, ACT
SILVER – Adelaide Fringe, SA
BRONZE – Australian Wooden Boat Festival, TAS

Festivals & Events

GOLD – Abbey Medieval Festival, QLD
SILVER – Subi Blooms X Gather – City of Subiaco, WA
BRONZE – Streaky Sounds Music Festival, 2025 SA

Ecotourism

GOLD – The Big Duck Boat Tours, SA
SILVER – Wild Adventures Melbourne, VIC
BRONZE – Fun Over 50 Holidays – Immersive Tours and Adventures, QLD

Cultural Tourism

GOLD – Shrine of Remembrance, VIC
SILVER –Albany’s Historic Whaling Station, WA
BRONZE – Cascades Female Factory Historic Site, TAS

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island Tourism Experience

GOLD – Cape York Peninsula Lodge, QLD
SILVER –Oolin Sunday Island Cultural Tours, WA
BRONZE –Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council, NSW

Tourism Retail and Hire Services

GOLD – Go Adventure Nagambie, VIC
SILVER – Willie Creek Pearls, WA
BRONZE –Younique Stays, TAS

Visitor Information Services

GOLD – Swan Valley Visitor Centre, WA
SILVER –Top End Visitor Information Centre, NT
BRONZE –St George Region Explore Centre, QLD

Business Event Venues

GOLD – Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, VIC
SILVER – Cairns Convention Centre, QLD
BRONZE – Darwin Convention Centre, NT

Major Tour & Transport Operators

GOLD – Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Pty Ltd, TAS
SILVER –Fun Over 50 Holidays – Immersive Tours and Adventures, QLD
BRONZE –HeliSpirit, WA

Tour & Transport Operators

GOLD – Spirit of the Coorong, SA
SILVER –eGuide, TAS
BRONZE –Margaret River Discovery Co, WA

Adventure Tourism

GOLD – Go Adventure Nagambie, VIC
SILVER –Woodhouse Adventure Park, SA
BRONZE –Blue Derby Pods Ride, TAS

Tourism Marketing & Campaigns

GOLD – Tourism Central Australia – Stories from the Heart, NT
SILVER – Only in the City by City of Melbourne, VIC
BRONZE –Wadjemup / Rottnest Island “A Little Longer” Campaign, W