A Bruny Island wildlife expert has claimed the nation’s top tour guide honour.
Cat Davidson from Inala Nature Tours received the prestigious Australia’s Top Tour Guide award for 2025 during a ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra.
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania (TICT) Chief Executive Officer Amy Hills said the recognition highlighted the crucial role of tour guides in creating memorable visitor experiences.
“Cat Davidson epitomises everything Tasmanian tourism stands for and we couldn’t be prouder,” Hills said.
“This achievement is even more rewarding given Cat was the winner of the inaugural Tassie Tour Guide Award and has now gone on to claim the national top prize.”
Davidson was praised for her ability to blend science with storytelling, showcasing Tasmania’s unique natural environment.
“A professional and passionate guide can make the world of difference to a visitor’s experience, connecting them with culture, the environment, heritage and history,” Hills said.
Two Tasmanian towns secured silver medals in the Australia’s Top Tourism Town Awards.
Deloraine claimed silver in the Small Town category while Devonport took silver in the Top Town division.
“For Deloraine to achieve a national silver as a first-time entrant speaks volumes about the high-quality tourism experience it provides,” Hills said.
Devonport’s recognition follows its success in last year’s awards.
Stanley was also acknowledged as a finalist in the Tiny Town category.
The awards program, hosted by the Australia Tourism Industry Council, used a combination of written submissions, curated itineraries, creative content and consumer reviews to determine winners.
