2011 Winners & Medallists
The Perth Airport Western Australian Tourism Awards reward and promote excellence within the Western Australian Tourism Industry. The Award Categories cover the diverse range of tourism product that provides the magnificent tourism experiences that Western Australia has to offer.
2011 WINNERS & MEDALLISTS
CATEGORY 1 – Major Tourist Attractions
Sponsored by Sunday Times
Gold – Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island lies in the Indian Ocean, 19 kilometres west of Fremantle. The Mediterranean climate, scenic natural environment, biodiversity and turquoise waters in 20 bays and dazzling 63 sheltered beaches make Rottnest Island a favourite holiday destination. The Island has cultural and spiritual significance for all Western Australians, and particularly for Aboriginal communities across the State. The special attributes of a holiday settlement with no private land ownership and limited vehicles, significant heritage buildings in a world-class conservation reserve, make Rottnest Island unique. Rottnest Island offers a slice of Western Australian life that locals now proudly share with interstate and overseas visitors.
Silver – Perth Zoo
Bronze – Home Valley Station
CATEGORY 2 – Tourist Attractions
Sponsored by Starworld Framing
Gold - Jewel Cave
Jewel Cave, near Augusta, is Western Australia’s largest show cave and attracts a large number of visitors each year who leave enthralled by its beauty. The recently re-developed site includes the Jewel Cave Preservation Centre, a uniquely designed building has been crafted to incorporate the natural environment and overlooks lush forest, whilst offering a comfortable and engaging visitor experience. Incorporating cafe, retail and interpretation areas, the new centre also boasts a new entrance into the stunningly lit Jewel Cave where visitors can get a taste of what the cave felt like when explorers first discovered it over 50 years ago.
Silver – Bibbulmun Track
Bronze – Dolphin Discovery Centre
CATEGORY 3 – Major Festivals and Events
Sponsored by Sunday Times
Gold – Broome Beach Polo Fesitval
In Australia’s sporting landscape beach polo is unique to Broome with Cable Beach hosting the nation’s only beach polo tournament. The sport is also rare in the world – Cable Beach is one of just five exotic locations around the world to host beach polo, along with Miami USA, Poole UK, Dubai UAE and Goa India. With its ideal sand gradients and tides along with its pristine aqua waters and sand dunes, festival organisers believe Cable Beach is world’s premier location for beach polo and aim to establish Broome as the world’s beach polo centre.
Silver - 2010 Sunseeker Australia Cup
Bronze - Taste Great Southern
CATEGORY 4 – Festivals and Events
Sponsored by Tourism Industry Card
Gold- City of Perth Australia Day Skyworks
The City of Perth Australia Day Skyworks is Western Australia’s largest annual event. Every year over 300,000 people come together along the banks of Perth’s Swan River as a community to celebrate our national day. This year’s theme for Skyworks was Celebrating Families and the activities throughout the day paid homage to the Australian family – in all senses of the word. The day also included free youth activities, a live music concert with some of Australia’s leading alternative music artists, a high energy air show, a family zone and of course the spectacular Skyworks fireworks show.
Silver – Michael Buble – Swan Valley
Bronze – Channel Seven Mandurah Crab Festival
CATEGORY 5 – Ecotourism
Sponsored by Department of Environment and Conservation
Gold – Eco Beach Broome
One of the world’s most remarkable destinations, Eco Beach is a unique, luxury eco resort set in a pristine and untouched landscape just a little over an hour drive south of Broome. The retreat offers guests a perfect parallel of Kimberley beach and bush with the comfort and class of a resort. Accommodation is provided through a variety of beautifully appointed Eco Villas and luxurious safari style Eco Tents. The beach itself provides a haven for nesting turtles whilst migrating whales frolic offshore. Activities are tailored to enhance your wilderness experience and include nature walks, cruises, kayaking, game fishing, beach fishing and bird watching. The flora and fauna of the landscape is both equally majestic and diverse.
Silver – Jewel Cave
Bronze – Out of Sight Tours
CATEGORY 6 – Heritage and Cultural Tourism
Sponsored by National Trust
Gold – Two Feet & a Heartbeat
Two Feet & a Heartbeat is Perth’s premier experience. With regularly scheduled tours offered 365 days a year we have informative and exciting walking experiences for visitors to the city as well as those who want to be a tourist in their own town. Our range of products includes historical tours of Perth and Fremantle, small bar and restaurant tours, shopping tours as well as conference/corporate and private guided services. Join Two Feet & a Heartbeat’s passionate guides to get an insight into our wonderful city and find out why Perth “is the way it is”.
Silver – Fremantle Prison
Bronze – Urban Indigenous Tours
CATEGORY 7 – Indigenous Tourism
Sponsored by WAITOC
Gold – Urban Indigenous Tours
Urban Indigenous Tours’ Perth Aboriginal Tour is a charming and intimate experience that captures the true identity of the Perth Aboriginal Community. Guests enjoy a fusion of contemporary Aboriginal culture which includes an Aboriginal art class, personal stories, bush tucker tastings, didgeridoo lesson, and a little bit of Swan Valley wine and cheese. Distinguished Aboriginal businesses are involved, local Elders, and a community of people who are passionate advocates for Aboriginal Australia and whole heartedly committed to Reconciliation Australia.
Silver – Home Valley Station
CATEGORY 8 – Specialised Tourism Services
Sponsored by Chamber of Commerce & Industry WA
Gold – Fremantle Prison Gift Shop
The Fremantle Prison Gift Shop is the major merchandise sales outlet, tour sales and customer service centre for Fremantle Prison – Western Australia’s only World Heritage listed building and one of the State’s most significant tourist attractions. Since opening in 2006, the Gift Shop has established itself as an attraction in its own right, accounting for 7.5 percent of the Prison’s total revenue. The range of products sold reflects the unique site in which it is located. In addition to a range of collectable souvenirs, products include prison related items such as shackles, convict shirts, ball and chains, cat-o-nine tails and jailer keys.
Silver – The Sandalwood Factory Kununurra
Bronze – Natural Olive Oil Soap Factory
CATEGORY 9 – Visitor Information and Services
Sponsored by Bookeasy
Gold – Swan Valley Visitor Centre
The award-winning Swan Valley Visitor Centre offers state of the art services for one of Western Australia’s most iconic food and wine destinations. The centre operates as a “one stop shop” for everything in and around the Swan Valley. Through customer service excellence, the centre is a welcoming shop front for the entire Swan Valley region. The Swan Valley Visitor Centre continues to prove itself as an industry leader through its dedication to tourism and integrated approach – the result is the provision of a Level One accredited Visitor Centre offering information services 365 days per year, 24 hours per day and 7 days per week.
Silver – Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association
Bronze – Busselton & Dunsborough Visitor Centres – Geographe Bay
CATEGORY 10 – Meetings and Business Tourism
Sponsored by Perth Convention Bureau
Gold – Esplanade Hotel Fremantle
The 4.5 star Esplanade Hotel Fremantle, located 20 minutes from Perth’s CBD is a local, national and international icon. Situated in the premier harbour side City of Fremantle, the hotel provides the third largest convention and exhibition facility in WA and attracts business travellers and conference delegates from all corners of the globe. The Esplanade Hotel Fremantle is an integrated convention, exhibition and conference centre, offering exceptional value, modern facilities, state of the art meeting technology and outstanding service, as well as an extensive range of leisure facilities, including heated swimming pools, outdoor spas, fitness centre, refurbished restaurants and bar.
Silver – Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa
Bronze – Hyatt Regency Perth
CATEGORY 11 – Major Tour and/or Transport Operators
Sponsored by Budget Car & Truck Rentals
Gold – Rottnest Express
Rottnest Express is the largest, fastest and most experienced ferry operator servicing Rottnest Island. Operating daily, year round services from three convenient locations, they carry over 300,000 passengers to the Island every year. Since being acquired by the Bailey’s Marine Group in July 2007, an extensive program of upgrades to vessels, terminals, management systems and marketing has taken place. When you combine these with the right staff, culture and vision, you have a world-class ferry business positively contributing to the enjoyment of holiday and tourism experiences for both locals and visitors to our state.
Silver – Adams Coachlines and Swan Gold Tours
CATEGORY 12 – Tour and/or Transport Operators
Sponsored by Motor Trade Association
Gold – Aussie Wanderer
Aussie Wanderer is a 100% Western Australian owned and operated adventure tour company. We specialise in small group, nature based, adventure focused, all inclusive bus tours for young and young at heart, free and independent travelers looking to travel throughout Western Australia, departing from Perth and Broome.
Silver – Broome Helicopters
Bronze – Top Drop Tours
CATEGORY 13 – Adventure Tourism
Sponsored by MGIB
Gold – Global Gypsies Tag-Along-Tours
On a Global Gypsies 4WD tag-along-tour, clients drive their own, or a hired, off-road vehicle and travel in a small convoy led by an expert guide to remote areas in the Australian Outback – independent but not alone. These exciting, escorted and catered, self-drive expeditions range from 4 – 16 days and visit such destinations as the Kimberley, Rudall River National Park, Kennedy Ranges, Holland Track, Great Australian Bight, Karijini National Park, Eastern Goldfields, Red Centre and more. Clients are prepared for their adventure at a comprehensive Pre-Departure Workshop and 4WD practice is included in the package.
Silver – 3 Islands Whale Shark Dive
Bronze – Skydive Jurien Bay
CATEGORY 14 – Tourism Marketing
Sponsored by Country Wide Publications
Gold – Rottnest Express – Love My Rotto Campaign
In December 2010, Rottnest Express launched an extensive summer marketing campaign with the aim of increasing same day return visitor numbers to Rottnest Island. The focus of the theme being “Love My Rotto”. The aim was to reengage the community with Rottnest Island and reignite the passion and ownership of the island. A strategic, well targeted media campaign was implemented from December 2010 to April 2011 utilising an extensive media mix including radio, television, press, online and outdoor advertising. The campaign proved to be a huge success and will be continued.
Silver – Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association – International Marketing Strategy
Bronze – Fremantle Prison
CATEGORY 15 – Tourism Education and Training
Sponsored by FutureNow
Gold – Quinlan’s Hospitality & Tourism Training Centre – Challenger
Quinlan’s Hospitality & Tourism Training Centre at Challenger Institute of Technology is an industry-driven and community focused organisation with a commitment to high quality vocational training for Tourism, Hospitality and Events students. This approach ensures the Quinlan’s Hospitality and Tourism Training Centre remains at the forefront of training delivery and skills for today’s workplace. The Centre provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure the highest calibre of future employees for the West Australian Tourism Industry. The Centre specialises in providing practical training for students in areas such as visitor information services, tour guiding, tourism operations, accommodation, food & beverage services, commercial cookery and events.
Silver – Academie Accor
Bronze – Global Gypsies Tour Guide Training Course
CATEGORY 16 – Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services
Sponsored by HOSTPLUS
Gold – Café Pronto
Cafe Pronto’s motto since 1994 – Great food, great service and good times is no empty promise with its stunningly prepared local specialities featuring Mandurah’s best loved crustacean – the blue swimmer crab. Set in one of Mandurah’s most historic buildings adjacent to the old traffic bridge on Mandurah Terrace sets the scene for this waterside location and is open seven days from 7am until late. As the current title holder of the Peel’s Barista of the Year, Cafe Pronto is not only home to the best coffee it also provides a gourmet experience breakfast, lunch and dinner to satisfy every palate using the rich bounty of the Peel Region to inspire its innovative menu. Able to cater to three hundred and fifty people it offers a unique experience with its intimate dining areas, private function facilities and grassed beer garden suitable for business, parties and special events all year round. Cafe Pronto’s owners Kerry and Tracey Brown have assembled an enthusiastic team and have been recognized for their commitment to excellence winning a number of accolades including the 2008 National Tourism Award and more recently the Regional Restaurant and Catering Awards for Excellence 2011 for Best Breakfast and Best Cafe.
Silver – The Lakehouse Denmark
Bronze – Dome Cafe Rottnest Island
CATEGORY 17 – Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Boutique Breweries
Sponsored by ISA Group
Gold – Matso’Broome Brewery
Matso’s Broome Brewery is a micro brewery and Brewpub situated in Australia’s North West. It offers an excellent range of fresh and tasty handcrafted products, including the famous Ginger Beer, and is complimented by a beautiful restaurant, all overlooking Roebuck Bay. Matsos Broome Brewery produces award winning products, is a great entertainment and functions venue and hosts a range of events throughout the year.
Silver – Elmar’s in the Valley
Bronze – The Lake House Denmark
CATEGORY 18 – Tourist and Caravan Parks
Sponsored by Caravan Industry Association WA
Gold – Middelton Beach Holiday Park
Middleton Beach Holiday Park is a AAA rated 4.5 star tourist park located in Albany, a scenic 450 km south of Perth. Sheltered by the calm waters of King George Sound, this superb 5 acre property is located on 500 metres of world class beach frontage. Offering a vast array of accommodation they were proud to open in June this year, their innovative custom built two storey three bedroom luxury beach houses and single level spa villas. Middleton Beach has led the way in creating a unique beachside experience, the only of its kind in Western Australia.
Silver – BIG4 Beachlands
Bronze – Peppermint Park Eco Village
CATEGORY 19 – Backpacker Accommodation – There were no Medallists in this Category
CATEGORY 20 – Hosted Accommodation
Sponsored by Tourism Industry Card
Gold – Trigg Retreat Bed & Breakfast
Prepare to be pampered – an affordable indulgence. Trigg Retreat’s Award winning, 4½ star Bed and Breakfast, provides exceptional service, tastefully furnished ensuite rooms, free wireless broadband facilities, guest computer with free internet and off-street parking, guaranteeing holiday makers and business guests a memorable and relaxing experience. The perfect way to start each day is with an enticing gourmet continental breakfast or a delicious, freshly cooked treat from the hot menu. Located 400 metres from one of Perth’s most famous beaches, allows guests to stroll the coastal walkways, swim, marvel at wonderful views and relax at a local beachside café.
Silver – Loaring Place Bed & Breakfast
CATEGORY 21 – Unique Accommodation
Sponsored by Furniture Options
Gold – Eco Beach Broome
One of the world’s most remarkable destinations, Eco Beach is a unique, luxury eco resort set in a pristine and untouched landscape just a little over an hour drive south of Broome. The retreat offers guests a perfect parallel of Kimberley beach and bush with the comfort and class of a resort. Accommodation is provided through a variety of beautifully appointed Eco Villas and luxurious safari style Eco Tents. The beach itself provides a haven for nesting turtles whilst migrating whales frolic offshore. Activities are tailored to enhance your wilderness experience and include nature walks, cruises, kayaking, game fishing, beach fishing and bird watching. The flora and fauna of the landscape is both equally majestic and diverse.
Silver – Pelicans at Denmark
CATEGORY 22 – Standard Accommodation
Sponsored by Print Logic incorporating Matrix Design
Gold – Ibis Hotel Perth
Located in Perth’s West end, Ibis Perth sits just 300m from the Murray and Hay Street shopping malls. Featuring 192 air conditioned rooms, the Ibis is the ultimate 3 star Perth hotel for either business or leisure travel. The hotel bistro serves great-value meals daily, and guests can relax after a busy day at Rubix Bar, which offers meals and drinks, and bursts into life on weekends with a real party atmosphere.
Silver – Cottesloe Beach House Stays
Bronze – Perth Ambassador Hotel
CATEGORY 23 – Deluxe Accommodation
Sponsored by Eyezon Consolidated Media
Gold- Habitat Resort Broome
Habitat Resort Broome is truly ‘Broome’s Premier Garden Resort’ where guests come to ‘Relax, refresh and enjoy’ on their holiday whilst experiencing Broome. Habitat Resort is set in 8 acres of intriguing and adventurous gardens. The whole resort, from the spacious gardens to the free form pools are nestled in the garden setting which is the envy of many. With space for all the family, privacy for couples and relaxing areas for those on holiday, Habitat Resort is sure to have a memory waiting to be created for everyone, all only five minutes drive to Cable Beach.
Silver – Jarrah Grove Retreat
Bronze – Pinctada Kimberley Grande
CATEGORY 24 – Luxury Accommodation
Sponsored by Scoop Publishing
Gold – Pinctada Cable Beach Spa Resort
Our luxurious multi award winning five star 72 room and suite resort hotel in Broome wraps an asymmetrical pool with spa nooks, a cascading water feature and 25m lap lane. The world-class Pinctada Spa offers couples and individual treatment rooms, Li’Tya Day Spa Dreaming products, two vichy shower treatment rooms, a juice bar, sauna and hair salon. The award winning Selene Brasserie features a signature menu designed by Melbourne chef Greg Malouf of Mo Mo Restaurant Melbourne. Other features of our Broome accommodation include, Brizo Pool Café and Bar, Nyx Cocktail Lounge, concierge, gym, tour desk, meditative garden zones and a unique lounge-based check-in with complementary refreshments.
Silver – The Rocks Albany
Bronze – Injidup Spa Retreat
CATEGORY 25 – New Tourism Development
Sponsored by Department of Regional Development of Lands
Gold – Lobster Shack
Based on the shores of the coral coast the Lobster Shack is a two hour coastal drive north of Perth, Western Australia. We are a family owned fishing and seafood processing operation that specialises in the elusive Western Rock Lobster. Located on the beach front in Cervantes, just 17km from the well renowned “Pinnacles National Park”, the lobster processing factory offers the complete experience from lobster pot to cooking pot. The Lobster Shack provides a relaxed yet exciting environment for the public to tour the operational factory and experience all elements of the elusive Western Rock Lobster.
Silver – The Sandalwood Gallery Broome
CATEGORY 26 – Qantas Award For Excellence in Sustainable Tourism
Sponsored by Qantas
Winner – Eco Beach Broome
One of the world’s most remarkable destinations, Eco Beach is a unique, luxury eco resort set in a pristine and untouched landscape just a little over an hour drive south of Broome. The retreat offers guests a perfect parallel of Kimberley beach and bush with the comfort and class of a resort. Accommodation is provided through a variety of beautifully appointed Eco Villas and luxurious safari style Eco Tents. The beach itself provides a haven for nesting turtles whilst migrating whales frolic offshore. Activities are tailored to enhance your wilderness experience and include nature walks, cruises, kayaking, game fishing, beach fishing and bird watching. The flora and fauna of the landscape is both equally majestic and diverse.
CATEGORY 27 – Local Government Award for Tourism
Sponsored by WA Local Government Super
Winner – City of Swan
The City of Swan has since 2004 established a well-defined and strategic role that uniquely integrates visitor servicing with regional marketing, product development and interpretive infrastructure. The level one award-winning accredited Swan Valley Visitor Centre and the innovative Adding Value Through Tourism program have been implemented by the City in strong partnership with the local tourism industry, the Western Australian tourism industry and other tiers of government. The City of Swan’s tourism activities have significantly contributed to the growth of the Swan Valley and set new benchmarks for tourism development by local government in Western Australia. One of the world’s most majestic and diverse.
Silver – City of Perth
Bronze – City of Bunbury
Sir David Brand Award for Tourism
Sponsored by City of Perth
Winner – Eco Beach Broome
One of the world’s most remarkable destinations, Eco Beach is a unique, luxury eco resort set in a pristine and untouched landscape just a little over an hour drive south of Broome. The retreat offers guests a perfect parallel of Kimberley beach and bush with the comfort and class of a resort. Accommodation is provided through a variety of beautifully appointed Eco Villas and luxurious safari style Eco Tents. The beach itself provides a haven for nesting turtles whilst migrating whales frolic offshore. Activities are tailored to enhance your wilderness experience and include nature walks, cruises, kayaking, game fishing, beach fishing and bird watching. The flora and fauna of the landscape is both equally majestic and diverse. of its Cable Beach showroom and off
Sir David Brand Medal
Winner – Clive Nelthorpe
Clive Nelthorpe is a true pioneer and legend of the Western Australian tourism industry.
Clive has an amazing presence, a million connections and a depth of experience and knowledge that is unsurpassed. Clive has a great belief in young people, and is always available to help and to provide advice and encouragement. Clive has given so much to the tourism industry and can be often found volunteering on boards, steering groups, being MC at a function, making a call ‘to sort something out’ for someone, or even while enjoying a glass of wine, inspiring and advising someone in tourism.
Sir David Brand Young Achiever
Medal 
Sponsored by Hospitality Group Training
Winner – Kylie Adams
Kylie Adams is a passionate young industry leader in the WA Tourism Industry and has been instrumental in the marketing and development of the state. Kylie has extensive knowledge and experience of the Industry through her past roles at Tourism Council WA, the Royal Automobile Club of WA, Chair of the Young Australian Tourism Association and her current role as Managing Director of Pure Tourism with past and current contracts with the City of Perth, Tourism Western Australia, Rottnest Island Business Community, WAITOC, AAA Tourism, Lady M, Challenger Tafe, & Unique Tourism. Kylie hand her business parter have also purchased Broad Leaf Villas on Norfolk Island, a boutique 4 STAR self-contained property and is instrumental in the business development, marketing and operations of the business.
FACET Golden Guide Award
Sponsored by Department of Environment and Conservation
Winner – Helen Nash
Helen has worked as a visitor services assistant at the Tree Top Walk for fourteen years and during this time has helped visitors to connect with the forest and natural environment in a magical and informative way. Helen is recognised as a leader in the specialised field of tour guiding and demonstrates the quintessential skills that make an effective guide. With her past teaching experience and natural affinity with nature, visitors connect with Helen in an unsurpassed way. Helen provides a journey of discovery for all visitors to the Tree Top Way creating a lasting and memorable experience.
