Entrants & Results
2013 Tourism Award winners
- 01. Major Tourist Attractions
- 02. Tourist Attractions
- 03. Major Festivals and Events
- 04. Festivals & Events
- 05. Ecotourism
- 06. Cultural Tourism
- 08.Specialised Tourism Services
- 09. Visitor Information Services
- 10. Business Tourism
- 11. Major Tour & Transport Operators
- 12. Tour & Transport Operators
- 13. Adventure Tourism
- 14. Destination Marketing
- 15. Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services
- 16. Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries
- 17. Caravan & Holiday Parks
- 18. Hosted Accommodation
- 19. Unique Accommodation
- 21. Standard Accommodation
- 22. Deluxe Accommodation
- 23. Luxury Accommodation
- 24. New Tourism Business
- 25. Excellence in Food Tourism
- 26. Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism
- 27. Outstanding Contribution by an Individual
- 28. Tourism Education and Training
- 30. Backpacker Accommodation
- 31. Young Achievers Award
- 32. Outstanding Contribution by Volunteers
- Minister's Encouragement Award
- RACV People's Choice Awards for Guest Satisfaction
- RACV People's Choice Awards for Service
- All
Category
22. Deluxe Accommodation
Winner
RACV Inverloch Resort
With panoramic views of Bass Strait and Anderson’s Inlet, the eco-friendly multi-award winning RACV Inverloch Resort is the ideal base for a wonderful coastal holiday. The resort is just a few minutes from the Inverloch surf beach, and the township itself with shops, cafes, playgrounds, skate park and inlet beach.
There is a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets including ocean view rooms, 2 & 3 bedroom villas, 2 bedroom cabins, and caravan sites (some with private ensuites). With on-site facilities – Radius Restaurant, Zenith Lounge, The Kiosk, BBQs, indoor pool, tennis courts, jumping pillow, playgrounds, and a network of walking tracks, you can enjoy your entire holiday without even leaving the resort!
Other Winners:
Finalist: Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley
Finalist: Comfort Inn & Suites Blazing Stump
Category
06. Cultural Tourism
Winner
Central Deborah Gold Mine
At Bendigo’s Central Deborah Gold Mine you can explore the hidden underground tunnels of a real gold mine that operated during the gold rush boom of the 1900s. Descending to the depths of Bendigo, you are sure to catch gold fever on the famous Mine Experience Tour (61 metres underground), the exciting Underground Adventure Tour (85 metres underground) or Australia’s deepest underground mine tour, Nine Levels of Darkness(228 metres underground).
Other Winners:
Finalist: Lantern Ghost Tours
Category
05. Ecotourism
Winner
Moonraker Dolphin Swims
Moonraker Dolphin Swims is Australia’s most awarded Eco Adventure Company specialising in Dolphin and Seal swimming and sightseeing adventures for over 25 years on the picturesque Mornington Peninsula.
Join a 3 hour snorkel adventure with resident Bottlenose Dolphins, swim alongside cheeky Australian Fur Seals, explore underwater marine parks filled with colourful fish and join the search for weedy sea dragons.
Or, embark on a private luxury adventure aboard the Moonraker, where you can see the very best of Port Phillip Bay. See wild dolphins, cross the famous entry to Port Phillip Bay ‘The Rip’ and a visit to the Popes Eye Marine Park.
Other Winner:
Hall of Fame: Moonraker Dolphin Swims
Finalist: Great Ocean Road Surf Tours
Finalist: Moonlit Sanctuary Wildife Conservation Park
Category
21. Standard Accommodation
Winner
Blue Moon Cottages
Bring your kids, bring your pets and stroll just 250 metres to the beach
Stylish beachside cottages that genuinely welcome kids and pets are rare. But hidden away just 250 metres from Rye Beach on the Mornington Peninsula are Blue Moon Cottages where couples, families and their pets can relax in three classic seaside cottages.
Other Winners:
Finalist: Moama on Murray Resort
Category
RACV People's Choice Awards for Service
Winner
Killara Holiday Flats
Killara Holiday Flats are self contained units off the Princes Hwy in a quiet location, minutes from Lakes Entrance close to beaches, shops and restaurants.
Each unit is spacious and suited to recreational fishermen and families.
Category
RACV People's Choice Awards for Guest Satisfaction
Winner
Abalina Cottages
At Abalina cottages we take pride in providing luxury accommodation at an affordable price.
If you are looking for quality and comfort in your luxury family accommodation in Bright then our quiet, self contained cottages are the perfect choice.
Each spacious cottage has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms enabling up to 6 guests to stay. There are suitable for singles, couples, families and large groups. Its the extras that set abalina cottages apart.
A flat 600m walk to shops, cafes and restaurants, your home away from home will not disappoint.
Category
Minister's Encouragement Award
Winner
Alowyn Gardens
Alowyn Garden is designed along strong symmetrical lines that become blurred by the softness of the spaces and the grace of the trees, within an area of approximately 4 acres. There are 5 clearly defined areas within the gardens, a perennial border, designed to display colour from Spring to Autumn, a silver birch forest, an edible garden of generous proportions, a parterre garden and a number of display gardens. The formal parterre garden is built along 17th century design principles, leads you through to a series of smaller courtyards and display gardens. Through all these area runs a wisteria and rose covered archway 100m long with a sunken garden and a classical fountain as a centre piece.
Category
27. Outstanding Contribution by an Individual
Winner
Craig Opie
Craig Opie was Managing Director of the Colonial Tramcar Restaurants and Eureka Skydeck. Both are major tourist attractions in Melbourne, attracting in excess of 700,000 visitors each year. He also owned and operated several other businesses during his career including Paperworld, Towntalk Snowballs and MPOL Collections. Most recently he has been a Board Director for both Tourism Victoria and Public Transport Victoria.
Craig has a bachelor of business and has been actively involved in the tourism and hospitality industry for his entire career spanning more than three decades.
Craig is an experienced media performer, including three years as host of his award winning radio program in Melbourne. As a previous committeeman of Moonee Valley Racing Club, he has been racing horses for several years with mixed success
Category
31. Young Achievers Award
Winner
Brett Ince
Brett is currently the Deputy Executive Director of Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine (Business Manager – Tourism, City of Greater Geelong), the newly created Regional Tourism Organisation spanning from Werribee to Barwon Heads including Geelong, The Bellarine Peninsula and Moorabool Valley.
He worked very closely with government and industry in achieving strategic communications, marketing, tourism, brand development, infrastructure development and advocacy functions. I have strong networks in local, state and federal government, state and federal industry associations as well as a strong network of local and Melbourne media.
Category
32. Outstanding Contribution by Volunteers
Winner
Friends of Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village
Our volunteers at Flagstaff Hill have their own association that helps operate the maritime village. This association has a monthly meeting of the committee as well as Volunteer Morning Tea Meetings each month
Category
25. Excellence in Food Tourism
Winner
Walker Events
Walker Events runs events throughout the year that bring together regional food, beautiful environments and people.
Each of these core events forms a family of experiences aimed at conveying the many facets of sustainability. Ingredients at each event are almost all local – sometimes sourced within metres of where you are sitting. Surrounded by mountains, lakes and wide horizons – the hallmark landscapes of Victoria’s High Country. In the past 5 years we have held lunches and dinners in machinery sheds, wool sheds, up mountains, in paddocks and even in an inflatable igloo.
Category
26. Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism
Winner
The Falls Music and Arts Festival
The Falls Music & Arts Festival is an annual event over New Year’s Eve held in Lorne, Victoria and is regarded as one of the most environmentally and socially sustainable events in Australia.
Operating over the past 21 years, the festival continues to produce innovative techniques for waste management, power saving measures, successful community involvement programs and so much more.
Category
24. New Tourism Business
Winner
Kryal Castle Adventure Park & Resort
Kryal Castle, located just outside Ballarat, is Australia’s only medieval theme park and resort offering a village of entertainment, shows, attractions and activities including jousting and skilled sword battles to magic shows, princess pantomime’s and a dragon’s lair.
The castle also offers stunning 4 star accommodation and inspiring function spaces, catering for conferences, events, international groups and student markets.
Other Winners:
Finalist: Tree Surfing at the Enchanted Adventure Garden
Finalist: Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery
Finalist: Bright Brewery
Category
23. Luxury Accommodation
Winner
Hilton Melbourne South Wharf
As the city’s only hotel with direct access to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center, Guests are met with convenience and modern, stylish design alike when staying at the Hilton Melbourne South Wharf. Book a lavish event in our function spaces, dine on exquisite meals at our on site restaurants and bars or recharge in our fitness center. Your room’s panoramic views of the city will welcome you back at the end of the day.
Other Winners:
Finalist: Crown Metropol Melbourne
Category
19. Unique Accommodation
Winner
Riviera Nautic
Riviera Nautic is based in Metung at the eastern end of the Gippsland Lakes.
With a diverse fleet of yachts and motor cruisers, Riviera Nautic offers guests the opportunity to experience a self-drive boating holiday immersed in the natural surrounds of Australia’s largest inland waterway, the Gippsland Lakes
An abundance of bird and marine life can be seen with wide expanses of water for exhilarating sailing, tranquil rivers for cruising and fishing and deserted beaches and peaceful coves to visit.
The charter boat provides guests with accommodation, transport and entertainment rolled into one package, offering a truly unique experience.
Other Winners:
Finalist: All Seasons Houseboats
Finalist: Quality Hotel Tabcorp Park
Category
18. Hosted Accommodation
Winner
Montfort Manor
Montfort Manor is located in the heart of Central Gippsland, Victoria overlooking the tree-lined driveway, lake and manicured gardens, Montfort Manor offer four luxury suits to accommodate corporate business travellers, romantic weekenders, honeymoon couples and sophisticated leisure travellers for both long and short stays.
The grounds offer a range of activities including walking paths which surround the property lake, a multi-use tennis court including a hitting wall and two swimming pools.
Other Winners:
Finalist: Shizuka Ryokan Japanese Country Spa & Wellness Retreat
Category
30. Backpacker Accommodation
Winner
Space Hotel
Space Hotel is an affordable and contemporary accommodation in Melbourne’s CBD with a diverse range of room types from dorm beds to private suites and family rooms catering for travellers with different budgets.
Space Hotel emphasise their social elements with facilities such as an in-house cinema, a restaurant-quality communal kitchen, and a rooftop area showcasing panoramic views of the city.
Other Winners:
Finalist: Greenhouse Backpackers
Category
17. Caravan & Holiday Parks
Winner
RACV Cobram Resort
Three hundred days of sunshine! What are you waiting for? Pack up the bag, round up the clan and head to the land of ‘Peaches and Cream’ – a tag given to this irrigated fruit and dairy country. RACV Cobram Resort is smack bang in the region renowned for its record sunny days, and is ideal for a mid-week break, family holiday or a weekend getaway in Victoria.
RACV Cobram Resort is situated on 10 hectares of neat as a pin landscaped grounds with the sweet waft of perfume from blossoms in the neighbouring orchard and offers the spaciousness of an apartment, the convenience of a self-contained cabin or the attractive court setting of the 4.5 star caravan park.
Other Winners:
Finalist: Eastern Beach Holiday Park
Category
16. Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries
Winner
Fowles Wine Cellar Door and Cafe
Fowles Wine is a boutique family owned winery based in the Strathbogie Ranges and craft some of Australia’s finest cool climate wines including “Ladies who Shoot their Lunch” and “Are you Game?”.
Fowles Wine strives for excellence in the tourism industry by providing quality products and services which are enhanced by the unique events held an their Cellar Door Cafe located in Avenel.
Category
15. Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services
Winner
Stillwater at Crittenden
Stillwater at Crittenden is a multi-award winning tourism restaurant on Victoria’s stunning Mornington Peninsula.
The restaurant, nestled amid the vines within the grounds of Crittenden Estate Winery, provides a full service, yet relaxed, fine dining experience showcasing local produce and regional wines.
Other Winners:
Finalist: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Category
28. Tourism Education and Training
Winner
Crown College
Crown College is one of the largest and most successful registered training organisations in Australia, providing customised and innovative learning to employees wishing to build long-term careers in tourism.
Crown College focus’ on incorporating innovative and exciting learning experiences, delivering content that exceeds participant expectations, setting the benchmark in tourism education and training.
Category
14. Destination Marketing
Winner
Grampians Tourism
Grampians Tourism was established in 2009 and is the peak industry body for tourism in the Grampians region. It encompasses and is directly supported by Ararat Rural City, Horsham Rural City, Northern Grampians Shire, Southern Grampians Shire and the Pyrenees Shire.
Our primary purpose is to deliver a coordinated approach to marketing, product development, infrastructure investment and industry development for the Grampians Region. We do this by creating cooperative marketing and advertising opportunities with industry to increase our region, it experiences and destinations, exposure in key markets.
Other Winners:
Finalist: Geelong Otway Tourism
Category
13. Adventure Tourism
Winner
The Enchanted Maze Garden
Enchanted Adventure Garden is a natural attraction situated on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula at Arthurs Seat. With stunning views over the park’s formal gardens and hedge mazes, the park offers many different things to see and activities to try including giant sculpture, indoor and outdoor mazes, Tube Sliding, Tree Surfing, the Big Zip Line or alternatively set up a picnic and enjoy the natural surroundings.
It’s a place where you can loose yourself in the colours of garden design or marvel at the formal structures of hedge topiary.
Other Winners:
Finalist: Great Ocean Road Surf Tours
Finalist: Skydive the Beach Melbourne
Finalist: Riviera Nautic
Finalist: Trees Adventure – Glen Harrow Park
Finalist: Peninsula Stand Up Paddle
Finalist: SCODY 3 Peak Challenge
Category
12. Tour & Transport Operators
Winner
Moonraker Dolphin Swims
Moonraker Dolphin Swims is Australia’s most awarded Eco Adventure Company specialising in Dolphin and Seal swimming and sightseeing adventures for over 25 years on the picturesque Mornington Peninsula.
Join a 3 hour snorkel adventure with resident Bottlenose Dolphins, swim alongside cheeky Australian Fur Seals, explore underwater marine parks filled with colourful fish and join the search for weedy sea dragons.
Or, embark on a private luxury adventure aboard the Moonraker, where you can see the very best of Port Phillip Bay. See wild dolphins, cross the famous entry to Port Phillip Bay ‘The Rip’ and a visit to the Popes Eye Marine Park.
Other Winners:
Finalist: 12 Apostles Helicopters
Finalist: Global Ballooning Australia
Finalist: South Bay Eco Adventures
Category
11. Major Tour & Transport Operators
Winner
Searoad Ferries
Searoad Ferries delivers a 40 minute ferry crossing between Sorrento and Queenscliff connecting the Mornington Peninsula to the Bellarine and Great Ocean Road. Ferries operate 365 days of the year, every hour from 7am to 6pm.
There are two world class all weather ferries offering easy drive on/drive off car facilities, comfortable viewing lounges and external observation decks. The ferry passes by marine National Parks and spectacular scenery, visitors to both regions can experience the beauty of Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay.
Category
10. Business Tourism
Winner
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is situated in the heart of Melbourne on the banks of the Yarra River in South Wharf and is Australia’s largest convention and exhibition facility.
MCEC works closely with key business partners to attract important business events to Victoria to enhance tourism and the growth of the state.
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre connects people with everything needed for a successful event offering versatile spaces, up-to-date technology, food and wine and staff with the skills and experience to bring it all together.
Other Winners:
Finalist: Business Events Victoria
Category
09. Visitor Information Services
Winner
Frankston Visitor Information Centre
Strategically located on the stunning Frankston Waterfront, the Frankston Visitor Information Centre provides quality information and retailing which complements the Mornington Peninsula region.
The Centre provides a central point for a range of ticketing, booking and community services encompassing a wide range of customer needs encouraging visitors to explore the vibrant, urban waterfront destinations in Victoria where arts, nature and cultural experiences connect.
Other Winners:
Finalist: Phillip Island and Bass Coast Visitor Information Centre Network
Finalist: Geelong Otway Tourism, Visitor Information Centre
Finalist: Sunbury Visitor Information Centre
Finalist: Echuca-Moama Visitor Information Centre
Category
08.Specialised Tourism Services
Winner
Leisure Options
Leisure Options is an accredited tourism business specialising in premium, boutique holiday and travel experiences for people with disabilities. The focus is on making what is often perceived as impossible, possible, by ensuring that tours are inclusive, barrier free and most of all, fun.
Leisure Options offer experiences that showcase the finest destinations throughout Victoria, interstate and internationally.
With over 500 travellers each year the company is successfully fulfilling its vision of accessible travel for all.
Other Winners:
Finalist: Travellers Aid Australia
Category
04. Festivals & Events
Winner
2012 RACV Energy Breakthrough
The RACV Energy Breakthrough is an exciting program designed to provide opportunities for students, teachers, parents and local industry to work together to design and construct a vehicle, a machine or innovation in technology that will represent an ‘energy breakthrough’.
The program encourages participants to examine and use the latest technology while considering its impact on the environment and the way people live locally and globally.
Other Winners:
Finalist: 2013 Club Marine Southern 80 Water Ski Race
Category
03. Major Festivals and Events
Winner
Melbourne Cup Carnival
The Melbourne Cup Carnival is one of Australia’s major festivals and events, held at the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival is a unique social and cultural tradition dating back to 1861 that draws the finest equine athletes from all over the world.
The carnival attracts more than 340,000 racegoers to Flemington over the four day Carnival each year contributing greatly to Victoria’s economy.
Category
02. Tourist Attractions
Winner
Peninsula Hot Springs
Entering the bathing area is like stepping into another world, a sanctuary where the mind and body are calmed by the steam, soothing aroma and the sound of running water. It’s a place where time is forgotten and lingering is part of the code of harmony……
An hour’s drive South of Melbourne on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula natural hot mineral waters are flowing from deep underground and into the pools and private baths at Peninsula Hot Springs. Bathe and relax at the Spa Dreaming Centre and dine in the café at this tranquil ecotourism attraction.
Other Winners:
Finalist: Enchanted Adventure Garden
Finalist: Queen Victoria Market
Finalist: Beechworth Honey Experience
Finalist: Phillip Island Chocolate Factory
Finalist: Cape Otway Lightstation
Category
01. Major Tourist Attractions
Winner
Melbourne Zoo
Melbourne Zoo is located in Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria and operates under Zoos Victoria.
Zoos Victoria operates world-class zoos on three sites – Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo and are committed to ‘fighting extinction’ and have a strong focus to connect visitors with the wildlife, inspiring them to take action to save wildlife and their environments while also offering unique animal interactions with their vast array of local and international residents.
Other Winners:
Finalist: Eureka Skydeck
