The 2025 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards recognized tourism businesses and visitor experiences across Australia, highlighting operators in accommodation, attractions, and events during a ceremony that honored winners in 26 categories.
Among the sectors represented were caravan and holiday parks, a segment closely tied to the country’s outdoor travel market.
Camping and road-trip holidays remain a significant part of Australia’s tourism landscape, and the awards acknowledged several operators serving this segment. In the Caravan and Holiday Parks category, BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park received the gold award.
The Queensland property offers a range of accommodation options, including camping sites and four-star cabins designed to accommodate different budgets and travel styles. The recognition follows a previous win for the park in 2024, when it received the title of best in Australia after garnering thousands of public votes.
Silver in the category went to Mandalay Holiday Resort, while bronze was awarded to Alivio Tourist Park Canberra, according to Travel. The results reflect the continued presence of established operators in Australia’s caravan and holiday park sector, many of which cater to both domestic road travelers and international visitors seeking outdoor-focused accommodations.
Another Queensland property was recognized in the New Tourism Business category. Turtle Sands Nature Resort received gold for a newly developed tourism offering located on the beachfront at Mon Repos near Bundaberg.
The resort provides glamping tents as well as powered and unpowered camping sites positioned near coastal habitat and within close proximity to Australia’s largest mainland turtle nesting site.
Beyond caravan parks and camping-focused properties, the awards also recognized several accommodation operators across different segments of the tourism industry. In the Hosted Accommodation category, The Dragonfly Inn received gold, while Kangaroo Ridge Retreat took silver and Wooleen Station received bronze.
In the Unique Accommodation category, Woodhouse Adventure Park earned gold, followed by All Seasons Houseboats with silver and Aquila Eco Retreat with bronze.
Additional accommodation categories recognized properties such as Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, which won gold in the 4–4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation category, and Mount William Station, which received gold in the 5 Star Luxury Accommodation category.
For professionals in the outdoor hospitality sector, the awards highlight continued demand for diverse accommodation offerings that range from traditional caravan parks to glamping and eco-focused stays.
Industry recognition programs such as the Australian Tourism Awards can also serve as a marketing tool for operators, providing visibility that may influence traveler decisions and partnerships within the broader tourism ecosystem.
In particular, the presence of caravan parks and nature-based resorts among award winners reflects the ongoing role of outdoor accommodations in Australia’s tourism economy and the increasing integration of experiences such as glamping, wildlife access, and nature-based tourism.
The 2025 awards ceremony also underscored Tasmania’s strong performance overall, with the state securing 10 medals across multiple categories during the event.