Bindi Irwin honoured at Queensland Tourism Awards

Bindi Irwin was the standout at the state’s annual tourism awards, capping off one of the toughest years for the sector. ALL THE WINNERS

Ecowarrior Bindi Irwin has capped a memorable year by taking out a major gong at the Queensland Tourism Awards.

After the most challenging period in the industry’s history, hundreds of operators from around the state came together for the Queensland Tourism Awards at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday night.

Bindi Irwin has been recognised for her contribution to Queensland tourism. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Bindi arrived at the awards night on Friday with her husband Chandler Powell, brother Robert and mother Terri.

Bindi, who celebrated the birth of her baby Grace Warrior with husband Chandler Powell in March, was recognised with the prestigious Mary Blake-Watson Award for her outstanding contribution to the Queensland tourism industry through her work with Australia Zoo and in the field of conservation.

Bindi Irwin with husband Chandler Powell at the Queensland Tourism Awards on Friday night. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Now the CEO at Australia Zoo, the 23-year-old has previously been named the Queensland tourism industry’s young achiever of the year and regularly presents an eco-tourism award named after her late father Steve, which this year went to Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort.

The award comes just days before Monday’s Steve Irwin Day in honour of the crocodile hunter and Sunshine Coast tourism pioneer.

Chandler Powell and Bindi Irwin with there daughter Grace Irwin-Powell. Picture: Instagram

Bundaberg Rum Distillery also starred on the night with two major awards, taking out the best regional tourist attraction and best tourism winery, distillery or brewery.

In other categories, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary was named the state’s best major tourist attraction, after battling through 18 months without the vital international tourist market.

Rockhampton’s Beef21 was named the best major festival, pipping the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.

Grace Boothman at the Bundaberg Rum Visitor Centre which has taken out two gongs at the Queensland Tourism Awards. Picture: Adam Head

After being named one of the world’s top 10 destinations by The Lonely Planet, the Scenic Rim was awarded gold for the best tourism marketing campaign with the ‘Welcome to the richest place on Earth, in Australia’ initiative.

Beenleigh’s Spirits of the Red Sand took gold in the best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism experience.

Spirits of the Red Sand at Beenleigh has won a prestigious Queensland Tourism Award. Picture: Trevor Worden

Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Daniel Gschwind said there was a new air of optimism after a bleak 18 months.

“After a pause in the Awards program last year, it is time to shake off the gloom, look forward and celebrate this great industry, its people and its future,” he said.

“There is enormous pent-up demand coming from those southern states and the announcement

that Queensland will open its border before Christmas gives us something to celebrate.

“It is a demonstration of the strength and calibre of the State’s tourism operators – all of whom have been able to adapt to the circumstances of the pandemic and continue to do great things during ongoing challenges.”

Daniel Gschwind, CEO of Queensland Tourism Industry Council

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk congratulated the winners and thanked tourism operators for their hard work and resilience throughout the pandemic.

“Tourism businesses right throughout Queensland have done an incredible job over the last two years to keep customers safe and keep workers in jobs,” she said.

“I can’t thank our tourism operators enough for their hard work during these challenging times.

“Things are looking up. In little over a month, Queensland will start to reopen to other states and territories.”