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Outback Queensland Tourism Association (OQTA) officially launched the 2023 tourism season and Traveller’s Guide, unveiling 29 new Outback Queensland experiences and events held on Wednesday, 8 March. The event also served as the platform for the announcement of the OQTA Excellence Award winners.

The annual OQTA Excellence Awards honour industry professionals for their outstanding contributions to elevating Outback Queensland’s tourism industry. The awards were presented in four categories: Best New Visitor Experience Award, Social Media Legend, Young Achiever Award, and the Vice Evert Memorial for Outstanding Contribution in Tourism.

Robyn Stephens of the Winton Outback Festival received the prestigious Vice Evert Memorial for Outstanding Contribution in Tourism award. For over fifty years, Stephens has dedicated herself to the Winton Outback Festival, a five-day event that celebrates the local community and encourages tourism. She was instrumental in launching the first Outback Festival in 1972 to boost the local economy following years of drought. Today, thousands of visitors travel to Winton to partake in the festival, generating over a million dollars for the local community in 2021.

The Quilpie Visitor Information Centre, Museum, and Gallery received the Best New Visitor Experience Award for introducing the Quilpeta Night Show, an innovative event that allows guests to watch a movie under the stars on premium outdoor lounges. The evening event is an excellent opportunity for guests to appreciate the beauty of the Channel Country under the starry sky and has increased bookings and extended visitation since its launch in June 2021.

Corey Richards of the Eromanga Natural History Museum received the Young Achiever Award for his dedicated representation of the Outback Queensland tourism industry and for the significant contribution he has made as Operations Manager at such a young age. Richards, who was recently appointed as a Queensland Young Tourism Leader, has attended several conferences and built partnerships that have seen growth and investment in the region.

Outback Pioneers received the Social Media Legend award for their four-week social media campaign showcasing the Pride of Murray’s journey from Echuca, Victoria to its new home in the Thomson River near Longreach. The historic journey reached a total of 3.2 million people and generated over 600,000 views across Outback Pioneers’ social media accounts. Despite the unfortunate news surrounding the Pride of the Murray on Monday morning, Outback Pioneers’ Founder and Director, Richard Kinnon, remains optimistic about the future.

The 2023 OQTA Excellence Award winners have driven significant tourism success and contributed to elevating the Outback Queensland tourism offering. Their contributions to the industry will continue to shape and inspire future generations.