22 Outback QLD Operators Nominated in Queensland Awards

On Friday, 12 November, the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) Queensland Tourism Awards were announced during its annual Black-Tie Gala Ceremony to recognise the achievements of tourism operators in Queensland across 30 categories ranging from tourism, events, attractions, tours and transport.

This year, Outback Queensland had 22 nominees in the running in the Awards thanks to their role in regenerating the Queensland tourism economy throughout the pandemic and providing excellent tourism offerings. The awards saw nine of these 22 nominees take home an award.

AWARD WINNERS:

WINNER (Gold): New Tourism Business – Mitchell Grass Retreat

WINNER (Gold): Caravan & Holiday Parks – Julia Creek Caravan Park

WINNER (Gold): Visitor Information Services – Longreach Visitor Information

(Silver): 3-3.5 Star Accommodation – ibis Styles Mount Isa

(Silver): Visitor Information Centre: Balonne Shire Council

(Silver): Major Tourist Attraction – Australian Age of Dinosaurs & Museum of Natural History

(Bronze): Cultural Tourism–Qantas Founders Museum

(Bronze): Major Tourist Attraction – Qantas Founders Museum

(Bronze): Festivals and Events – Big Red Bash

With locals flocking to Outback Queensland this year, 2021 has been the region’s most successful tourism year to date. Outback Queensland is now rallying to keep up the momentum into 2022 with international borders opening, encouraging Australians to continue to explore their own backyards.

Outback Queensland Tourism Association (OQTA) Chair, Andrew Martin said it was a year for the books.

“With borders slammed shut for the better part of two years, Queenslanders flocked to Outback Queensland to enjoy the incredible diversity of experiences that the outback has on offer.

It has been Outback Queensland’s best year yet, particularly because of strong investment and new infrastructure in the region pre-pandemic, which meant travellers could also experience new and reinvigorated attractions such as the Australian Age of Dinosaurs, Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, and Eromanga Natural History Museum.

Boasting experiences on offer for everyone, families and young couples included, Queenslanders explored more of their backyard and iconic world-class attractions such as Cooper, Australia’s largest skeletal replica dinosaur which made international headlines this year.

With borders set to reopen as we near Christmas, we are calling on Aussies to continue to hit the roads and adventure to Outback Queensland. Let’s continue to explore our own backyard, support locals, breathe in fresh outback air, and enjoy our region’s country hospitality–because we love having you there and you’ll love being there.”

Here’s what the award recipients had to say: 

WINNER (Gold): New Tourism Business – Mitchell Grass Retreat

David Neal, Owner

“Since opening in July 2020, we are over the moon with the new business attracted to Mitchell Grass Retreat in 2021. But it’s not just the numbers that excite us. It is the new, more active markets that are coming to Longreach to sample some 5-star outback glamping!”

“This is our chance to give a big shout out about how we turned our sunset drinks dream into a reality. It’s special because opening basically into COVID was fairly hard and the months leading up to that were very tough, not being able to operate, although being virtually ready to go. We were very grateful when the Premier said we were ready. It’s been amazing to build something, start something and be able to run something–so this is wonderful.”

WINNER (Gold): Caravan & Holiday Parks – Julia Creek Caravan Park

Georgia Crocker, McKinlay Shire Council Tourism Coordinator

“2021 just blew us out of the water. The shaky start and the interruptions brought about by COVID-19, border closures and lockdowns further afield, meant that we had reduced expectations of visitor numbers and enquiries. We were, however, completely wrong. We had a bumper tourist season with an unprecedented demand for our portfolio of accommodation and attractions (namely our artesian bathhouses) at the Julia Creek Caravan Park.”

“It elated us to be part of a reputable program and among so many esteemed operators. From a small town of just 500 people, this nomination is a testament to the momentum we have been building over the past decade. I think it’s fair to say that we punch above our weight.”

Councillor Shauna Royes–McKinlay Shire

“We’re ecstatic to win an award like this–for our small community, it’s just wonderful.”

“We have the most amazing artesian spas, and we have bush huts, it’s amazing!”

“For those looking to plan their Outback Queensland trip in 2022 – call into Julia Creek.” 

WINNER (Gold): Visitor Information Services – Longreach Visitor Information Centre

Executive Officer of Tourism, Leigh Hook

“I can’t believe we have won! This award is something I’ve dreamed about since taking on the role at the Longreach Visitor Information Centre and Tourism in Longreach. A huge thank you to the team who do an amazing job and thank you to Longreach Regional Council for their support.” 

(Silver): Visitor Information Centre – Balonne Shire Council

CEO, Matthew Maggin

“It means a lot to receive silver for this award, not just for the Visitor Information Centre but for the entire community. We’ve come through eight years of drought, COVID, and we’ve just seen our Visitor Information Centre deliver a great outcome for the travelling public who call through our Shire. Along with our operators, it shows what country people can do on a shoestring budget and acknowledge the attributes of our community which largely go unsung in the broader Australian region.”

Tourism Manager, Kim Wildman

“When visiting, people can look forward to a region that is ready and waiting to welcome people to our Shire. We’ve all struggled a lot in the last few years, with COVID in particular, but through that, we’ve shown we are an area that is ready to welcome people to come again, have fun and have an exciting new year in 2022.” 

(Silver): 3-3.5 Star Accommodation – ibis Styles Mount Isa

Adriano Miyado, General Manager

“It is quite amazing to win this award—I can see the quality of the entries and the toughness of the industry at this stage, and I think that it’s wonderful to be recognised and awarded for our entry.”

“I have only been in this role for four to five months, so it hasn’t been that long, however, what I have seen is that it’s the quality of not only the accommodation itself but the quality of staff, customer service and the upkeep throughout the whole hotel. This includes looking after our customers and staff members and their resilience towards the customer experience. I think it’s a reflection of how hard we worked to get to where we are and how we still stand tall on what we believe in.”

(Silver): Major Tourist Attraction – Australian Age of Dinosaurs & Museum of Natural History

David Elliot, Director

“On 8 May the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum officially opened the Dynamic Destination project, funded through the Queensland Government’s Growing Tourism Infrastructure Fund. The project comprised the March of the Titanosaurs exhibition, Gondwana Stars Observatory and two life-sized bronze sauropods.”

“The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with the long-term drought in western Queensland have made projects such as the Dynamic Destination project even more necessary to kick-start regional sustainability and instigate the growth required for western Queensland to be international-tourism ready. This project has expanded the comprehensive and wide-ranging visitor experiences at the Museum, culminating in over 57,000 visitors at the end of October 2021.”

“This award is really a boost of confidence. We’ve had a tremendous increase in numbers, 37,000 last year including the lockdown, to over 60,000 this year so it’s an enormous increase. It bought us challenges, but it’s a huge win for us because the museum is growing and we are all about increasing visitation in western Queensland. For us it’s not about winning, it’s about what we can do to build the region up.”

“I think 2022 will be like 2021–there’s a lot of new products on offer out in western Queensland and I think we’re all a little more in tune in how we have to band together to make something work for the community. If anyone wants to visit, they’re not going to be disappointed and book ahead!”

(Bronze): Cultural Tourism–Qantas Founders Museum

(Bronze): Major Tourist Attraction – Qantas Founders Museum

Alleyne Johnson, General Manager

“The Outback and Qantas Founders Museum has been a focal point since we could reopen on 1 July 2020, which has led to increased visitation to Queensland’s backyard.”

“The museum re-opened with an Airpark Roof over the aircraft to protect visitors and an evening sound and light show which has been a great success.”

“With border closures, what was on everyone’s bucket list to someday visit the Outback has now become a priority.”