Big Wins for The Whitsundays

Big Wins for The Whitsundays at This Year’s Adventure Tourism Awards

MEDIA RELEASE - 10 November 2025

The Whitsundays has once again proven itself as one of the leading adventure destinations in Australia and New Zealand, taking out multiple top honours at the 2025 Adventure Tourism Awards held last Thursday night (6 November) on the Gold Coast.

Hosted by Adventure Queensland (AQ), the peak backpacking and independent travel industry body for Queensland, the gala dinner was held at The Glasshouse, The Island Gold Coast, where more than 260 guests from across Australia and New Zealand gathered for a night of celebration and recognition.

The Adventure Tourism Awards shine a spotlight on excellence within the youth and adventure tourism industry, recognising operators that deliver exceptional visitor experiences, champion sustainability and set new benchmarks for innovation across the sector.

The Whitsundays stole the spotlight, with local operators and the region itself recognised among the very best in the youth and adventure tourism sector:
• Best Adventure Destination: The Whitsundays
• Eco-Tourism Award: Ocean Rafting
• Best Day Tour/Activity: Ocean Rafting
• Best Accommodation: Bounce Airlie Beach

Tourism Whitsundays Chair, Julie Telford said, “Adventure is at the heart of The Whitsundays, and this award belongs to everyone who makes our region a place of discovery, excitement, and natural beauty. It celebrates our local operators, guides, and community, whose dedication ensures every visitor leaves with an unforgettable experience.”

Ocean Rafting, winners of both the Eco-Tourism Award and Best Day Tour/Activity, were recognised for their ongoing commitment to sustainability and innovation in delivering world-class reef and island experiences.

Ocean Rafting Sales and Marketing Captain, Nathan Fleming said, “It’s an incredible honour to be recognised in both the Adventure and Eco-Tourism categories. Ocean Rafting was founded on passion, innovation and a deep love for showcasing the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef in a way that’s exciting and sustainable. Almost 30 years on, that same energy continues to inspire everything we do — creating unforgettable experiences while protecting the very environment that makes them possible.”

Bounce Airlie Beach took home the Best Accommodation – Australia & New Zealand title, further cementing Airlie Beach’s reputation as a vibrant hub for backpackers and adventure travellers.

Charlene Torr, General Manager, Bounce Airlie Beach said, “We’re beyond honoured to be recognised as Best Accommodation in Australia and New Zealand at the 2025 Adventure Tourism Awards. This achievement belongs to our incredible team — their passion, dedication, and genuine love for what they do shine through in every guest experience. To be celebrated on a national stage is an incredible honour, and we couldn’t be prouder to represent Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays — a region that inspires us every single day.”

Tourism Whitsundays congratulates all the winners and finalists, acknowledging their contribution to shaping The Whitsundays’ identity as Australia’s adventure and island escape capital.

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.