14 Tasmanian tourism businesses have claimed their category wins for the first time at the 2026 Tasmanian Tourism Awards, joining some of the state’s best-known operators among this year’s winners.
Nearly 450 tourism operators and supporters attended the awards in Hobart last night, where more than 90 finalists competed across 34 categories.
The 25 gold medallists will go on to compete at the Australian Tourism Awards in Geelong in 2027.
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Amy Hills said the first-time winners were one of the most exciting parts of this year’s awards.
“What this tells us is that there are new and emerging operators entering our industry and wanting to achieve the highest standard of excellence, which this awards program represents,” she said.
Winners came from across the state, including the east coast, the north, the south, the north-west, the West Coast and King Island.
Hills said operators had invested in their experiences and products over the past 12 months, encouraged by visitor numbers, the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels and commitments to infrastructure investment.
“Combined, this gives operators the confidence to invest and innovate and we have certainly witnessed that in this year’s awards,” she said.
The Cove Tasmania won New Tourism Product for a $6.5 million development, while the Bond Store in Stanley, a restored 1850s bluestone building converted into accommodation, was named New Tourism Business.
Woolmers Estate won gold for Tourist Attractions and the West Coast Wilderness Railway won gold for Cultural Tourism.
Four businesses entered the awards’ Hall of Fame after winning their categories three years in a row: Freycinet Resort, Peppers Silo Hotel and The Tasman, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart, along with The Cove Tasmania for Excellence in Accessible Tourism.
Julia and Giles Fisher, of Freycinet Marine Farm, were named Tasmanian Tourism Champions for more than two decades of industry leadership, mentoring and community contribution.
The Tourism Minister’s Young Achiever Award went to 20-year-old Sebastian Mundy, general manager of Risby Cove Boutique Hotel, who played a role in its $7 million redevelopment.
Blue Tree Gallery received the Chair of Judges’ Award for Positive Impact Tourism.
The People’s Choice awards went to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens and the Australian Wooden Boat Festival.
Entries were assessed by 27 independent judges, with consumer ratings from the 12-month qualifying period also counted towards final scores.
The full list of gold winners is:
Tasmanian Tourism Champion – Julia and Giles Fisher
Tourism Minister’s Young Achiever Award – Sebastian Mundy
Chair of Judges’ Award for Positive Impact Tourism – Blue Tree Gallery
Gustav Weindorfer Award for New Tourism Business – Bond Store
New Tourism Product – The Cove Tasmania
Major Tourist Attractions – Gorge Scenic Chairlift
Tourist Attractions – Woolmers Estate
Major Festivals and Events – Tasmania’s Taste of Summer
Festivals and Events – Party In The Paddock
Sustainable Tourism Experiences – Tarkine Trails by Trek Tours Australia
Sustainable Tourism Accommodation – Swan River Sanctuary
Cultural Tourism – West Coast Wilderness Railway
Tourism Retail, Hire and Services – Blue Tree Gallery
Visitor Information Services – Smithton Visitor Information Centre
Business Event Venues – Devonport Convention Centre at the paranaple
Major Tour and Transport Operators – Pennicott Wilderness Journeys
Tour and Transport Operators – eGuide
Adventure Tourism – Tasmanian Mountain Bike Adventures
Tourism Marketing and Campaigns – Launceston Airport
Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services – Mures Tasmania
Tourism Wineries – House of Arras Cellar Door
Tourism Distilleries and Breweries – Killara Distillery
Caravan and Holiday Parks – BIG4 Launceston Holiday Park
Hosted Accommodation – Rathmore
Unique Accommodation Award – Eagle’s Nest Retreat
Self Contained Accommodation – Red Rock Hut, King Island
3-3.5 Star Accommodation – Freycinet Resort (Hall of Fame)
4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation – Peppers Silo Hotel (Hall of Fame)
5 Star Luxury Accommodation – The Tasman, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart (Hall of Fame)
Excellence in Food Tourism – Tasman Sea Salt
Excellence in Accessible Tourism – The Cove Tasmania (Hall of Fame)
Local Government Award for Excellence in Tourism – West Tamar Council
People’s Choice Award (500 or fewer reviews across the qualifying period) – Australian Wooden Boat Festival
People’s Choice Award (more than 500 reviews across the qualifying period) – Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
