Six chasing state awards

Six Moreton Bay businesses have been named finalists in this year’s Queensland Tourism Awards.

This region’s finalists are Tourism and Events Moreton Bay Volunteer Group, Visit Moreton Bay, Abbey Medieval Festival, Brisbane Whale Watching, Pranafest and Aqua Warrior.

All have earned their place after an extensive judging program and deliberations last week, with entrants required to reach a minimum scoring benchmark to progress.

“We have major international drawcards alongside small regional businesses, community organisations, cultural experiences, events, accommodation providers and operators who are creating exceptional experiences right across Queensland,” Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Natassia Wheeler said.

“To reach this stage, entrants have had to demonstrate a high standard through their submission and the judging process. 

“Being named a finalist means they have earned their place among some of the best tourism businesses and experiences in the state.”

The Queensland Tourism Awards recognise excellence against established industry standards, meaning finalist status does not automatically result in a medal.

“The Queensland Tourism Awards are a year-long industry development program,” Wheeler added.

“Preparing an entry asks businesses to look closely at how they operate, the visitor experience they provide, their achievements and where they can continue to improve.”

The 2026 Queensland Tourism Awards Gala is held on Friday November 6 on the Gold Coast, as part of Tourism Week.

Brisbane Region Finalists

• Bay Island Lifestyle
• Abbey Medieval Festival (Moreton Bay)
• Aqua Warrior (Moreton Bay)
• Beenleigh Artisan Distillery
• Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
• Brisbane Racing Club – 2026 Ladbrokes Stradbroke Season
• Brisbane Whale Watching (Moreton Bay)
• Clandulla Cottages & Farmstay
• Crystalbrook Vincent
• Devon Pixies
• Extraction Artisan Coffee
• Fun Over 50 Holidays – Immersive Tours & Adventures
• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
• Pranafest (Moreton Bay)
• Qld Music Trails: The Outback, presented by QMF
• Scenic Rim Eat Local Movement
• South Bank Destination Brand Refresh and Local Guides Campaign
• Stradbroke Island Tours
• The Calile Hotel
• The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Brisbane 2026
• Tourism and Events Moreton Bay Volunteer Group (Moreton Bay)
• Visit Moreton Bay (Moreton Bay)

Bundaberg

• Bundaberg Rum Distillery Visitor Experience
• Hinkler Hall of Aviation
• Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort
• Mystery Craters

Capricorn

• Busbys On Tour – Explore Rockhampton Family Drive Campaign
• Great Keppel Island Hideaway
• Keppel Dive & Water Sports
• Rockynats 06

Fraser Coast

• Pacific Whale Foundation Eco Adventures Australia

Gladstone

• Dive Spear and Sport 1770

Gold Coast

• 2026 Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro presented by GWM
• ASICS Gold Coast Marathon
• BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park
• Blues on Broadbeach 2026
• Broadwater Tourist Park
• Burleigh Beach Tourist Park
• Dracula’s
• Dreamworld
• East Coast Car Rentals
• GC Aqua Park
• Holiday Holiday
• Jellurgal Cultural Experiences
• National Trust Australia (Queensland)
• O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards
• O’Reilly’s Mountain Cafe and Gift Shop
• O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
• Paradise Resort Gold Coast
• Pat’s Farm

Mackay

• Bush Heli-Services
• Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre
• Mackay Isaac Tourism – Free Spirit Campaign
• Nautical By Nature Mackay
• Oh Deere Farm Stay
• Oh Deere Farm Stay and Tours
• Quest Mackay on Gordon

Outback Queensland

• Charlotte Plains
• Cunnamulla Fella Visitor Information Centre
• Flinders Discovery Centre
• Queensland Helicopters
• St George Region Explore Centre
• The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame & Outback Heritage Centre
• The Crackup Sisters Arts Precinct
• WWII Secret Base Charleville

Southern Queensland Country

• 40 on Marshall Boutique Hotel
• Diamondvale Estate
• Goondiwindi Customs House Museum
• Hell of the West
• Pat’s Sapphire Central – Home of Pats Gems Tourist Fossicking Park
• Ridgemill Estate Cabins in the Vineyard
• Ridgemill Estate Winery
• Stanthorpe Festival Association
• The Folly Truffles
• Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Running Festival

Sunshine Coast

• Alsahwa Estate
• Bli Bli House Riverside Retreat
• By Earth and Ocean
• Eumundi Markets
• Grand Overland 4×4 Tours
• Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World
• Maleny Cheese
• Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat
• Noosa Visitor Information Centre
• Palms on Parker
• RACV Noosa Resort
• Rally Queensland 2026
• Saltwater Eco Tours
• Sunshine Coast Convention Centre

Townsville

• Aquascene Magnetic Island
• Magnetic Glamping
• Poseidon Adventure
• Wild Local

Tropical North Queensland

• Cairns Adventure Group
• Cairns Convention Centre
• Cape York Camping Punsand Bay
• Lazy Lizard Motor Inn
• Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours
• Mt Mulligan Lodge
• Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
• Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom
• Paperbark Restaurant at Cape York Peninsula Lodge
• Paradise Links Resort Port Douglas
• Paronella Park
• Reef House Adults Retreat
• Shine On Gimuy 2025
• Spirit of Freedom
• Tropic Wings Cairns Tours & Charters
• Wongai Beach Hotel

Whitsundays

• Bowen Tourism and Business Volunteers
• Bowen Visitor Information Centre
• Iconic Whitsunday Adventures
• InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef
• Pinnacles, Airlie Beach
• Shute Harbour Marine Terminal
• Tourism Whitsundays
• Whitsunday Coast Airport
• Whitsunday Escape