Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers wins big at Australian Tourism Awards

A Toowoomba festival received a huge tick of approval alongside other Queensland attractions at the Australian Tourism Awards. SEE THE WINNERS.

Toowoomba’s Carnival of Flowers has been crowned the best major festival in the country after taking gold at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Darwin.

It was a stellar night for the Sunshine State with Queensland taking five of the 26 categories, with a further nine operators taking out silver or bronze.

It was a massive win for Toowoomba’s Carnival of Flowers, which started as a humble flower show but now stands in the same lofty sphere as the best music and sporting events in the country.

Hayden and Summer Cullen at the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Winners of last year’s Queensland Tourism Awards qualified for the national finals, along with winners from all other states and territories.

The Reef House Boutique Hotel and Spa at Palm Cove was crowned the country’s top five star luxury accommodation offering, beating elite competition from states across Australia.

The Whitsunday region’s Ocean Rafting took the title for best adventure tourism operator while BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort took out the top gong for caravan and holiday parks.

The Fun Over 50 Holidays brand won the eco-tourism division.

Queensland Tourism Minister Michael Healy said it was “fantastic” to see Sunshine State operators perform so well.

The Reef House Boutique Hotel and Spa Adults Tropical Escape. Photo: Supplied

“To have 14 podium finishes including 5 Gold is a tribute to all those Queensland tourism operators who have been innovative and resilient while making sure all their visitors have a great time.”

Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Brett Fraser said the state’s national finalists had done them proud.

“We’ve always known that our sunshine state is home to some of the best attractions, events and experiences throughout Australia, and now it’s official,” he said.

Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said the strong showing was a reflection of the quality of offerings in the Sunshine State.

“Queensland’s incredible tourism operators deliver transformational experiences to millions of visitors who contributed to the $34.3 billion Queensland tourism industry in the past year,” she said.

“These Queensland products should be proud knowing they are leaders in the Australian tourism industry and Queenslanders are certainly proud of what our state has to offer.”

Originally published as Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers wins big at Australian Tourism Awards