Hunter and Central Coast Awards for Excellence in Tourism
The QantasLink 2014 Hunter and Central Coast Awards for Excellence in Tourism were announced in front of hundreds of industry representatives on 6 August.
There were 56 finalists from 45 individual companies aiming for gold across 22 categories. Gold winners proceed to the NSW Tourism Awards to be held in Sydney on 27 November.
The winners were:
Tourist Attractions: Gold - Blackbutt Reserve
Festivals and Events: Gold - Snow Time in the Garden, Hunter Valley Gardens; Silver - Convict Footprints on the Old Great North Road, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service
Ecotourism: Gold - Blackbutt Reserve; Silver - Hunter Wetlands Centre Heritage and Cultural Tourism: Gold - Newcastle Ghost Tours
Indigenous Tourism: Gold - Sand Dune Adventures
Visitor Information and Services: Gold - Singleton Visitor Information and Enterprise Centre (Hall of Fame); Silver - Port Stephens Visitor Information Centre
Business Tourism: Gold - Chateau Elan at The Vintage Hunter Valley; Silver - Scone Motor Inn & Conference Centre
Tour and/or Transport Operators: Gold - All Australian Journeys
Adventure Tourism: Gold - State Forests of the Watagan Mountains, Forestry Corporation of NSW (Hall of Fame); Silver - Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures:Bronze - Chapman Valley Horse Riding;Highly Commended - Beyond Ballooning - Hot Air Balloon Rides over the Hunter Valley Wine Region
Destination Marketing: Gold - Cruise Hunter 2014 Cruise Prospectus: Share the Secret of Newcastle, Australia; Silver - Port Stephens: Unconventional Destination Marketing campaign
Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services: Gold - D'Vine Group
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries: Gold - Margan Wines; Silver - Bimbadgen
Tourist and Caravan Parks: Gold - Halifax Holiday Park; Silver - Toowoon Bay Holiday Park & NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Park
Hosted Accommodation: Gold – Noonaweena; Silver - Hermitage Lodge; Bronze - The Acreage Luxury B&B and Guesthouse
Unique Accommodation: Gold - Golden Door Health Retreat & Spa Elysia; Silver - Banjos Bushland Retreat; Bronze - The Sebel Kirkton Park Hunter Valley; Highly Commended - Casa La Vina
Deluxe Accommodation: Gold - Crowne Plaza Terrigal; Silver - Scone Motor Inn; Bronze - The Nelson; Highly Commended - The Vintry
Luxury Accommodation: Gold - Chateau Elan at The Vintage Hunter Valley
New Tourism Development: Silver - Hollydene Estate cellar door & restaurant
Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism: Gold – Margan; Bronze - Crowne Plaza Terrigal
Excellence in Food Tourism: Gold - Margan Restaurant & Winery
Young Achiever in Tourism Award: Gold - Gemma der Kinderen, The City of Newcastle
Outstanding Contribution by an individual to local tourism: Gold - Kevin Doherty, Upper Hunter Country Tourism & Tars Bylhouwer, Destination Port Stephens
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