General News
22 November, 2025
FNQ tops state awards
THE Tropical North has dominated the 40th annual Queensland Tourism Awards in Brisbane.
The region picked up nine gold, three silvers, seven bronze and four highly-commended awards, underscoring its reputation as one of Queensland’s most diverse and dynamic visitor destinations.
The gold winners were:
Cairns Convention Centre – business event venues
Cape York Motorcycle Adventures – adventure tourism
Cape York Peninsula Lodge – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism experiences
Lazy Lizard Motor Inn – 3–3.5 star accommodation
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort – 4–4.5 star deluxe accommodation
Reef House Adults Retreat – 5 star luxury accommodation
The Crystal Caves – tourist attractions
The Lifetime of Greatness Project – The Richard Power Award for tourism marketing and campaigns
Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) chief executive officer Natassia Wheeler said the region’s strong performance reflected its enduring leadership within the state’s visitor economy.
“Tropical North Queensland continues to set the benchmark for innovation and quality in tourism,” she said.
“From world-heritage natural wonders to authentic cultural experiences, these award-winning businesses demonstrate the strength and spirit of the North - and their success helps drive Queensland’s reputation globally.”
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive officer Mark Olsen said the region’s 23 winners took gold, silver, bronze and highly commended accolades at the awards.
“The Tropical North Queensland tourism industry strives for excellence in everything we do from our marketing to our accommodation, experiences, business events, tour attractions and events,” he said.
“Our industry continues to innovate their offering to drive Queensland’s market share and that is reflected in these great results for the destination.”
The Reef House Adults Retreat directors David Horbelt and Malcolm Bean acknowledged the boutique hotel’s team led by general manager Wayne Harris for their commitment to customer service for winning the prestigious award for the fourth year in a row.
“Over the past 15 years we have continued to develop The Reef House Adults Retreat business model and create a new category of a ‘Full Service Adults Retreat’ that is unique in Australia,” Mr Bean said.
“Investment in traditional customer service is the primary focus, with multiple in-house Signature Experiences included to offer guests value, and an adults-only policy to ensure rest, relaxation and rejuvenation,” he said.
“Our objective every day is to offer a unique destination that our guests choose to revisit year after year resulting in return guests accounting for almost half of The Reef House Adults Retreat room nights.”
The Crystal Caves manager Ghis Gallo said the award was considered one of the most significant achievements in the attraction’s 42-year history.
Ms Gallo said the win represented far more than industry recognition - it acknowledged the collective effort, resilience and creativity that had shaped Crystal Caves since it all began more than four decades ago.
“This achievement belongs to our entire tourism community — the industry that has lifted us, believed in us and helped our small business grow into what it is today,” she said.
“The opportunities provided through Tourism Tropical North Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council — the workshops, mentoring, development programs and support networks — have transformed the way we operate.
“These programs helped us implement major accessibility upgrades, embed sustainability initiatives, improve our systems, and innovate in ways we never imagined.”
Silver winners were:
Cape York Motorcycle Adventures – tour and transport operators
Daintree Discovery Centre – Steve Irwin Award for ecotourism
Savannah in the Round – major festivals and events
Bronze winners were:
Cairns Adventure Group – adventure tourism
Cairns Adventure Group – major tour and transport operators
Daintree Discovery Centre – tourist attractions
Paronella Park – Steve Irwin award for ecotourism
Paronella Park – cultural tourism
Drive Queensland - tourism retail, hire and services
Wongai Beach Hotel - 3-3.5 star accommodation
Highly commended:
Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours - Steve Irwin award for ecotourism
Jarramali Rock Art Tours - cultural tourism
Cape York Camping Punsand Bay - caravan and holiday parks
Cape York Peninsula Lodge - 4-4.5 star deluxe accommodation.
