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The 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.

2010 WINNERS & MEDALLISTS

CATEGORY 1 – Major Tourist Attractions

Sponsored by Sunday Times
Gold – Perth Zoo
Located on its present site for almost 112 years, Perth Zoo is part of the fabric of Western Australia and has become a cultural icon for the city. Today, it holds a firm place in the hearts of Western Australians as a hallmark tourist attraction providing an exciting experience for all ages. Perth Zoo is proud to be one of Australia’s leading contributors to animal research and conservation work. It’s breeding of threatened and endangered species, fundraising activities, support conservation, education programs and on-site interpretation and displays inspire visitors to leave with a passion for the environment and animal conservation.
Silver – Rottnest Island
Bronze – The Bell Tower, Home of the Swan Bells, Perth

CATEGORY 2 – Tourist Attractions

Sponsored by Business Growth Centre
Gold - Sandalford Wines
Founded in 1840 by Western Australia’s first Surveyor General, John Septimus Roe, Sandalford Wines is one of Australia’s oldest and largest privately owned wineries. Located on the banks of the Swan River in the picturesque Swan Valley, a 25 minute drive from the Perth city centre, this custom built facility offers a unique blend of tradition, individuality and innovation, showcasing a total wine experience to visitors, and placing it at the forefront of wine tourism in Australia. Sandalford’s tourism operations and facilities have been refined over the past 19 years, which has lead to the development and success of this world class establishment. Sandalford has selected the finest wine tourism aspects from around the world, and integrated these features with Sandalford’s own ideas and concepts to develop a standout and unique Wine Tourism Experience for all visitors.
Silver – Western Australian Museum – Geraldton
Bronze – Bibbulmun Track

CATEGORY 3 – Major Festivals and Events

Sponsored by Sunday Times
Gold – Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association – CowParade Margaret River
CowParade Margaret River was the udderly mooovellous and quirky public art event that saw visitors and locals alike head out on the ‘cow hunt’ throughout the Margaret River region. From March to June 2010, 85 life sized fibreglass cows, moooved into the area as part of the world’s largest and most successful public art exhibition – CowParade. Stunningly decorated by local, regional and national artists, these incred-a-bull pieces of cow art were placed on display at various locations to capture the public’s hearts and send them on a trail to discover the beautiful Margaret River region.
Silver – Sunseeker Australia Cup – Swan River Sailing

CATEGORY 4 – Festivals and Events

Sponsored by Starworld Framing
Gold- Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster
Since its inception in 2001 the Ord Valley Muster has continued to showcase the East Kimberley as a unique and special destination. The principle objective is to promote a wider range of seasonal economic activity by raising the profile of the region and extending the tourist season with activities starting in May. Commencing as a one night affair, the Muster has gradually grown to become a two-week festival featuring over 40 individual events including the multi award-winning Airnorth Kimberley Moon Experience. Set against the magnificent backdrop of the spectacular East Kimberley, the Muster rewards visitors with its array of extraordinary and distinctive experiences.
Silver – Australia Day Skyworks
Bronze – Sandalford Wines – Spandau Ballet & Tears for Fears

CATEGORY 5 – Ecotourism

Sponsored by Department of Environment and Conservation
Gold – Pearl Sea Coastal Cruises
Exploring a land of contrast and majesty, rich in history, ancient culture and natural beauty, the Kimberley’s drawcards are many and varied. One of the world’s last unique wilderness areas, this truly unforgettable landscape is home to Pearl Sea Coastal Cruises, Kimberley Quest II. A small vessel operator, accommodating just 18 passengers, the Kimberley Quest II specialises in providing a multitude of live-aboard ecotourism experiences with a focus on experiencing natural areas that foster environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation.
Silver – Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat
Bronze – Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association – Wildflower Tour

CATEGORY 6 – Heritage and Cultural Tourism

Sponsored by National Trust
Gold – Fremantle Prison
As Western Australia’s premier heritage and cultural tourist attraction Fremantle Prison holds the key to history, mystery and fun. In recognition of its significant heritage value it is the only built environment in the State to be inscribed on the World Heritage List. Built by the convicts in the 1850s, the Prison was used as a place of incarceration and punishment for almost 140 years. With its thick limestone walls, solitary cells and gallows it is a monument to a system of punishment that is uncomfortably recent. Entertaining day tours, spooky Torchlight Tours and Tunnels Tour adventures are just some of the exceptional experiences available at this iconic historic attraction.
Silver – Two Feet & a Heartbeat
Bronze – Donnelly River Cruises

CATEGORY 7 – Indigenous Tourism

Sponsored by WAITOC
Gold – Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat
One of the world’s most remarkable destinations, Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat is a unique, luxury eco resort set in a pristine and untouched landscape just a little over an hour drive south of Broome. Accommodation is provided through a variety of beautifully appointed Eco Villas and luxurious safari style Eco Tents and activities are tailored to enhance your wilderness experience and include nature walks, indigenous tours, game fishing, beach fishing, whale watching and bird watching. The retreat offers guests a perfect parallel of Kimberley beach and bush with the comfort and class of a resort and is the perfect place to unwind and relax.
Silver – Home Valley Station
Bronze – Uptuyu Adventures

CATEGORY 8 – Specialised Tourism Services

Sponsored by Tourism Western Australia
Gold – Natural Olive Oil Soap Factory
The Natural Olive Oil Soap Factory nestled in amongst picturesque grape vines and olive trees within the heart of the Margaret River Region. Is a unique enterprise that combines a beautifully presented retail showroom with the production of exquisite high quality Australian made natural and organic skin care products with beautiful, fresh, extra virgin olive oil tastings and sampling of delicious, delectable gourmet condiments. Visitors to the Soap Factory can experience the soap being made in front of their eyes they can see and hear the machinery, smell the fragrances of the pure essential oils and feel the texture of freshly cut soaps.
Silver – Fremantle Prison Gift Shop
Bronze – Tree Top Walk Gift Shop

CATEGORY 9 – Visitor Information and Services

Sponsored by Tourism Western Australia
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 – City of Perth i – City
Bronze – Kununurra Visitor Centre

CATEGORY 10 – Meetings and Business Tourism

Sponsored by Perth Convention Bureau
Gold – Esplanade Hotel Fremantle
The 4 1/2 star International Esplanade Hotel Fremantle is ideally situated in the heart of cosmopolitan Fremantle, with easy walking access to 7 day shopping, bars, restaurants, Fishing Boat Harbour, markets and museums. Offering a choice of 9 elegant venues with video conferencing facilities from 10 to 1,000 guests, the hotel has 300 well appointed guest rooms and suites, with resort style recreational facilities including two swimming pools, three in-ground outdoor spas, fitness centre and sauna. The Atrium Garden Restaurant features an International buffet, with also Café Panache and the Promenade Lounge Bar to cater for all tastes and occasions.
Silver – Hyatt Regency Perth

CATEGORY 11 – Major Tour and/or Transport Operators

Sponsored by McInerney Ford
Gold – Adams Coachlines and Swan Gold Tours
ADAMS Coachlines and Swan Gold Tours are Perth’s premier bus and coach charter provider. The superior quality of our fleet and attention to detail in the service we provide means our passengers have the best possible coaching experience. With the ability to meet a range of individual bus and coach requirements. ADAMS Coachlines and Swan Gold Tours have over 45 vehicles of various sizes from luxury sedan limousines, 10 seater mini vans all the way up to five star luxury coaches. We go to great lengths to ensure we meet, and often exceed, our clients’ expectations in the service we provide.
Silver – Veolia Transport WA Pty Ltd

CATEGORY 12 – Tour and/or Transport Operators

Sponsored by McInerney Ford
Gold – Kimberley Wild Expeditions
Kimberley Wild Expeditions offers the best experiential day tours and adventures out of Broome. Exploring the Kimberley with small, diverse groups in comfortable custom-built 4WD vehicles, travellers enjoy our local expertise and experience a real passion for this beautiful corner of Australia that we call home. Kimberley Wild guides enjoy meeting travellers from all over the world and are keen to share their knowledge of the region – visiting the well-known highlights and revealing some of its many secrets. Our strong relationships with Aboriginal people and communities will also provide travellers with unforgettable cultural experiences.
Silver – Pearl Sea Coastal Cruises
Bronze- Wine for Dudes Wine Tours

CATEGORY 13 – Adventure Tourism

Sponsored by MGIB
Gold – Ningaloo Reef Dreaming
Through its whale-shark and dive tour business in Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef Dreaming takes tourists from around Australia and the world out into the Ningaloo so they can experience its wonders for themselves, and takes them diving on the Exmouth Navy Pier – consistently voted one of the top 10 SCUBA dives in the world (www.scubatraveller.co.uk). Started in 2003, Ningaloo Reef Dreaming has grown to become Western Australia’s largest dive tour operator through a combination of luck, learning, good partnerships and vision – as well as having one of the best tourism destinations in the world, the Ningaloo Reef, as its workplace!
Silver – Windward Balloon Adventures
Bronze – Three Islands Whale Shark Dive

CATEGORY 14 – Tourism Marketing

Sponsored by Country Wide Publications
Gold – Geographe Bay Visitor Guide
The Geographe Bay Tourism Association is a not-for-profit business that represents over 400 members based in and around Busselton, Dunsborough, Yallingup, Cowaramup, Margaret River and Augusta. One of the key marketing activities for the Association is the Geographe Bay Visitor Guide. In 2009-10 a review of the publication was undertaken, and after an extensive consultation process, a new guide developed. Featuring exciting editorial, innovative self-drive itineraries, a large format full-colour map and a comprehensive business directory, the user friendly guide has been hailed as a success by members, visitors, trade and media alike.
Silver – Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association
Bronze – Top Trails WA

CATEGORY 15 – Tourism Education and Training

Sponsored by FutureNow
Gold – Quinlan’s Hospitality & Tourism Training Centre – Challenger Institute of Technology
Quinlan’s Hospitality & Tourism Training Centre at Challenger Institute of Technology is an industry-driven, community focused training centre with a commitment to quality vocational training for tourism, hospitality and events students.
The Centre delivers its training in conjunction with tourism and hospitality leaders in the community and recognised industry associations. This collaborative approach ensures the Centre remains at the forefront of training for today’s workplace.
From entry-level Certificates to Diplomas, the Centre supports and educates students through the provision of quality vocational training, which in turn provides the hospitality and tourism industries with graduates and employees of the highest calibre.
Silver – Central Institute of Technology
Bronze – Home Valley Station

CATEGORY 16 – Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services

Sponsored by HOSTPLUS
Gold – Café Pronto
Mandurah’s National Tourism Award winning Café Pronto is the city’s most popular dining venue. Offering fresh local produce in a setting that overlooks the heart of Mandurah’s tourism precinct, Café Pronto provides visitors to the city with a gourmet experience they’ll remember forever. Café Pronto offers stunningly prepared local specialities featuring Mandurah’s best loved crustacean – the blue swimmer crab.
The Café Pronto motto is great food, great service and good times. It delivers on this promise by providing exceptional food and a complete dining experience that helps position Mandurah as an exciting and sophisticated tourism experience.
Silver – Sandalford Wines
Bronze – Matilda Bay Restaurant

CATEGORY 17 – Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Boutique Breweries

Sponsored by Manic Botanic
Gold – Sandalford Wines
Founded in 1840 by Western Australia’s first Surveyor General, John Septimus Roe, Sandalford Wines is one of Australia’s oldest and largest privately owned wineries. Located on the banks of the Swan River in the picturesque Swan Valley, a 25 minute drive from the Perth city centre, this custom built facility offers a unique blend of tradition and innovation, showcasing a total wine experience to visitors, and placing it at the forefront of wine tourism in Australia.
Sandalford’s tourism operations and facilities have been refined over the past 19 years, which has lead to the development and success of this world class establishment. Sandalford has selected the finest wine tourism aspects from around the world, and integrated these features with Sandalford’s own ideas and concepts to develop a standout, and unique Wine Tourism Experience for all visitors
Silver – Saracen Estate
Bronze – Elmar’s in the Valley

CATEGORY 18 – Tourist and Caravan Parks

Sponsored by Caravan Industry Association WA
Gold – Aspen Parks – Exmouth Cape Holiday Park
Exmouth Cape Holiday Park offers a range of accommodation to provide the perfect sanctuary within this remote and rugged wonderland. Guests can choose from cabins, chalets and powered caravan sites, backpackers’ and campers’ facilities.
Our new camp kitchen provides the perfect retreat to finish off a day’s adventuring by swapping stories with fellow travelers. Sit under the stars with family and friends to enjoy the outdoor cinema.
Our friendly staff will help you to rest and recharge your batteries ready for the next day’s touring of Western Australia’s magnificent north.

CATEGORY 19 – Backpacker Accommodation

Sponsored by Loco TV
Gold- Blue Reef Backpackers – Exmouth Cape Holiday Park – Aspen Parks
Blue Reef Backpackers is located at the gateway to the Ningaloo Reef and offers visitors a once in a lifetime holiday experience in Exmouth. Situated 1270kms north of Perth, Exmouth is blessed with a fantastic dry and warm climate all year, round with no wet season. In summer months the daytime temperatures range from the mid to high 30s while a typical winter’s day reaches around 25 degrees. Water temperatures vary throughout the year from 18-28 degrees making for perfect beach weather all year. For lovers of the deep blue there are endless water activities available – swimming with the whalesharks, fishing, diving, snorkelling…all on the magnificent Ningaloo Reef.

CATEGORY 20 – Hosted Accommodation

Sponsored by Bent Knee Creative
Gold – Cape Howe Cottages
Cape Howe Cottages provide five distinctly different secluded holiday retreats nestled amid 50 hectares of private nature reserve near Lowlands Beach on the far south coast of Western Australia. Guests are invited to savour the essence of a real holiday experience surrounded by nature and immersed in affordable luxury.
Joint owners and business partners, Gaynor and David Clarke, built the business over 11 years staying true to their philosophy of providing space, privacy and tranquility. Cape Howe Cottages have now earned an award winning reputation for excellence providing quality accommodation with personal care and passionate service in a truly inspiring environment.
Silver – Wildwood Valley Villa and Cottages
Bronze – Loose Goose Chalets

CATEGORY 21 – Unique Accommodation

Sponsored by Book Easy
Gold - Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat
One of the world’s most remarkable destinations, Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat is a unique, luxury eco resort set in a pristine and untouched landscape just a little over an hour drive south of Broome. Accommodation is provided through a variety of beautifully appointed Eco Villas and luxurious safari style Eco Tents and activities are tailored to enhance your wilderness experience and include nature walks, indigenous tours, game fishing, beach fishing, whale watching and bird watching.
The retreat offers guests a perfect parallel of Kimberley beach and bush with the comfort and class of a resort and is the perfect place to unwind and relax.
Silver – Injidup Spa Retreat, Yallingup
Bronze – Forest Rise Eco Retreat

CATEGORY 22 – Standard Accommodation

Sponsored by Print Logic incorporating Matrix Design
Gold - Perth Ambassador Hotel
The 3.5 star Perth Ambassador Hotel holds a prime position on Adelaide Terrace, within minutes to Perth’s many attractions, central business district, conference venues, domestic and international airports, entertainment and nightlife, the property caters for the corporate and leisure traveller.
The hotel has 170 well appointed rooms ranging from Standard Rooms to Executive and Lounge Suites. Deluxe rooms and above portray fresh, modern décor and soft furnishings, flat screen LCD televisions and contemporary artwork. Facilities and services include 24 hour reception, tour information and booking desk, Café 196, lounge bar, mini business centre and onsite spa & sauna.

CATEGORY 23 – Deluxe Accommodation

Sponsored by Eyezon
Gold- Kununurra Country Club Resort
The Kununurra Country Club Resort is the ideal sanctuary to explore Australia’s north-west. The four star Resort features newly refurbished, modern rooms set amongst lush tropical gardens – the perfect retreat after a long day exploring Kimberley World Heritage Area. Kununurra and the Kimberley Region offer some of Australia’s most unique and majestic naturebased attractions.
All rooms are airconditioned and feature modern comforts including, television, DVD player and complimentary in-house movies. Cool off in the swimming pool or poolside at one of our three onsite bars. Indulge your tastebuds at our restaurant – the perfect escape experience.
Silver – Jarrah Grove Retreat
Bronze – Habitat Resort Broome

CATEGORY 24 – Luxury Accommodation

Sponsored by Prime Laundry
Gold – Pinctada Cable Beach Spa Resort
Pinctada Cable Beach, Broome’s only AAA 5-star rated accommodation, offers a Kimberley tourism experience in an intimate environment that respects and reflects the unique landscape, culture and heritage of its destination. Personal service captures the essence of this 72-room spa resort, the flagship of Pinctada Hotels & Resorts, founded by Marilynne Paspaley AM. “I believe the greatest ‘luxury’ we can offer our guests is an environment where they feel nurtured and cared for, where they can switch off from life’s daily routine and truly relax,” she says. Pinctada features generously sized guest rooms, a signature menu and world class day spa.
Silver – Smiths Beach Resort, Yallingup

CATEGORY 25 – New Tourism Development

Sponsored by Budget
Gold – Nullarbor Links
Nullarbor Links, the World’s Longest Golf Course, is totally unique and just like The Nullarbor will never be duplicated. This 18-hole par 72 golf course spans 1,365 kilometres with one hole in each participating town or roadhouse along the Eyre Highway, from Kalgoorlie in Western Australia to Ceduna in South Australia. Each hole includes a synthetic green, tee and somewhat rugged outback-style natural terrain fairway. The course marries tourism, the world’s largest industry, with golf, one of the world’s most popular sports.
Nullarbor Links provides a quintessential outback Australian golfing experience that is unmatched anywhere in the world.
Silver – Wilderness Getaways
Bronze – Skydive Jurien Bay

CATEGORY 26 – Qantas Award For Excellence in Sustainable Tourism

Sponsored by Qantas
Winner – Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat
One of the world’s most remarkable destinations, Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat is a unique, luxury eco resort set in a pristine and untouched landscape just a little over an hour drive south of Broome. Accommodation is provided through a variety of beautifully appointed Eco Villas and luxurious safari style Eco Tents and activities are tailored to enhance your wilderness experience and include nature walks, indigenous tours, game fishing, beach fishing, whale watching and bird watching.
The retreat offers guests a perfect parallel of Kimberley beach and bush with the comfort and class of a resort and is the perfect place to unwind and relax.

Sir David Brand Award for Tourism

Sponsored by City of Perth
Winner – Willie Creek Pearl Farm
Willie Creek Pearls offer daily tours to its pearl farm, 38kms from Broome and at the heritage facility Pearl Luggers in the township. They also operate several supporting retail pearl showrooms in Broome and Perth. Visitors to the pearling attractions enjoy a comprehensive insight into the world of pearling from the hard hat diving days to today’s modern pearl farming. In 2009/10 Willie Creek Pearls hosted 60,000 visitors on its tours, built its own desalination plant at the pearl farm and completed a $1.6m redevelopment of its Cable Beach showroom and offices. Willie Creek Pearls is privately owned and operated by Broome’s Banfield Family.

Sir David Brand Medal

Winner – Jon Jessop
Over the past 25 years, tourism entrepreneur Jon Timothy Jessop has dedicated his life to regional Western Australia’s tourism sector. Through economic thick and thin, Jon has used his shrewd business sense, personal courage, hard work ethic, honesty and high level of motivation to significantly bolster the tourism infrastructure of many regional townships across WA. Presently Jon is operating two regional resorts (as Director), he is Marketing Manager for the Kalbarri Edge and he is further progressing the ‘Edge’ Brand in up to 12 regional locations. He is also a key and active board member of Tourism Council WA.

Sir David Brand Young Achiever Medal

Sponsored by Hospitality Group Training
Winner – Frances Jones
Frances Jones moved into the Western Australian Tourism Industry in 2008. Starting her career at Edge Resorts Frances developed her passion for tourism which drives her today. Later in 2008 Frances took up a full time position at Wooleen Station as the tourism manager and now resides there permanently with her partner David Pollock. In 2009 Frances started a degree in Eco-tourism through Murdoch University and studies externally at the station. In late 2009 she took the position as Chair for the Gascoyne and Murchison Tourism (Inc) and in mid 2010 was elected to the board of Australia’s Golden Outback.

FACET Golden Guide Award

Sponsored by Department of Environment and Conservation
Winner – Sean Blocksidge
In his previous life, Sean Blocksidge managed a five star hotel and esteemed Margaret River winery, before steppingout of the corporate world. Sean developed the Margaret River Discovery Company to more deeply connect visitors to the region and showcase how much more there is than just wine. Through his shared passions in the environment and the gastronomic delights he is making a powerful contribution to the region and state. Described as the ‘tour for people who don’t do tours’, The Margaret River Discovery Company is currently rated the number one tour experience in all Australia on the Tripadvisor website.

The 2010 WA Tourism Awards Winners & Medallists Book is now available.