2025 Whitsunday Tourism Awards Winners Announced

Celebrating Success: 2025 Whitsunday Tourism Awards Winners Announced

MEDIA RELEASE - 19 October 2025

The Whitsundays shone brightly last night as the region’s leading tourism operators were celebrated at the 2025 Whitsunday Tourism Awards, held on Saturday, 18 October at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre.

This year introduced a refreshed awards format aligned with the Best of Queensland Experience Program (BOQEP), recognising businesses based on real results and customer feedback rather than submissions. To qualify, operators were required to hold an Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) listing and meet strict benchmarks across customer satisfaction, digital presence, accreditation and industry engagement.

An impressive 123 Whitsundays tourism products achieved BOQ recognition, with 93 finalists across 14 categories honoured on the night, celebrating the incredible diversity of the region’s tourism offering, from reef and island adventures to luxury stays, land-based tours and exceptional dining experiences.

Ry Collins, Mayor, Whitsunday Regional Council
“Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the 2025 Whitsunday Tourism Awards. You are the face of the Whitsundays and the reason our region continues to shine on the world stage.

“Every experience, every smile and every story shared by our operators helps showcase what makes this place so special — our people, our pride and our world class hospitality.

“The Whitsundays truly is the Heart of the Reef and the Home of Olympic Sailing, and our tourism industry is the heartbeat that keeps it thriving.

“As we look ahead to the 2032 Olympics, these winners show the world why the Whitsundays continues to set the standard for exceptional tourism experiences across Australia and beyond.”

Julie Telford, Chair, Tourism Whitsundays
"Huge congratulations to the winners and all the outstanding tourism businesses that qualified for nomination this year. It is a privilege to be among such a passionate, dedicated, and hardworking community that lives and breathes tourism every day.

“On behalf of the board, thank you for making the night a success and for your ongoing dedication to ensuring the Whitsundays remains a world-class, premier destination."

Tim Booth, CEO, Tourism Whitsundays
“The annual Whitsunday Tourism Awards give our industry the chance to come together and celebrate everything we’ve achieved.

“It’s a highlight of the year for our organisation, a night to reflect on our collective success, look forward to the great things ahead, and express our gratitude to all of our incredible finalists and winners who continue to make The Whitsundays shine.”

Full list of 2025 Whitsunday Tourism Award Winners

Retail and Services
GOLD: Above and Below Gallery
SILVER: Mana Skin Body & Soul

Attractions
GOLD: Coral Sea Marina
SILVER: Shute Harbour Marine Terminal
BRONZE: The Big Mango

Restaurants and Catering
GOLD: Eastwoods Dining
SILVER: Whisper Restaurant and Gin Bar
BRONZE: The Garden Bar

Best Marketing
GOLD: Ocean Rafting

3–3.5 Star Accommodation
GOLD: Magnums Unique Accommodation Airlie Beach
SILVER: Shingley Beach Resort
BRONZE: Nomads Airlie Beach

4–4.5 Star Accommodation
GOLD: Mirage Whitsundays
SILVER: Coral Sea Resort
BRONZE: Mantra Club Croc

5-Star Accommodation
GOLD: InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef

Self-Contained Accommodation
GOLD: Peninsula Airlie Beach
SILVER: The Boathouse Apartments
BRONZE: Whitsunday Apartments Hamilton Island

Caravan and Holiday Parks
GOLD: BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort
SILVER: Queens Beach Tourist Village
BRONZE: NRMA Bowen Beachfront Holiday Park

Unique Accommodation
GOLD: Camp Island Lodge
SILVER: Elysian Retreat
BRONZE: Cruise Whitsundays – Reefsleep

Transport
GOLD: Heart of Reef Shuttles
SILVER: Cruise Whitsundays
BRONZE: Heart of Reef Car Rentals

Overnight Crewed Sailing
GOLD: Wings Sailing Charters
SILVER: True Blue Sailing
BRONZE: OzSail

Bareboating
GOLD: Portland Roads – Sailing the Whitsundays
SILVER: Whitsunday Escape
BRONZE: Cumberland Charter Yachts

Day Tours – Land
GOLD: Driftwood Tours
SILVER: Whitsunday Segway Tours
BRONZE: Falls to Paradise – Red Cat Adventures

Day Tours – Water
GOLD: Whitsunday Jetski Tours
SILVER: Red Cat Adventures
BRONZE: SeaLink Whitsundays

Bob Porter Award for Outstanding Service
Kevin Collins

Event Partners and Sponsors
A huge thank you to our sponsors - our Naming Rights Sponsor, Bishopp Outdoor Advertising; Major Partners, Hero, Mackay & Whitsunday Life, and Whitsunday Transit; and our Supporting Partners, Whitsunday Regional Council and Tourism and Events Queensland.

About Tourism Whitsundays: Tourism Whitsundays (TW) is the organisation responsible for destination marketing and visitor attraction for the Whitsunday region. It is the lead agency recognised by Tourism and Events Queensland and the Whitsunday Regional Council to lead the promotion of the region as a tourism destination. Tourism Whitsundays markets all aspects of the region including the Great Barrier Reef, Whitsunday Islands and Coast, accommodation, boating and sailing, fishing, touring, recreational activities, adventure, dining, shopping, weddings and honeymoons, conferencing and business events.