Gold for Unique Accommodation at the Queensland Tourism Awards 2026
Whitsunday Escape has won Gold for Unique Accommodation at the 2026 Queensland Tourism Awards, taking the state’s top honour in the category for the second year in a row.
The winners were announced on Friday 6 November 2026 durig the Queensland Tourism Awards Gala Ceremony at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. The gala is Queensland tourism’s night of nights, the big finale of Tourism Week, and it brings together operators, industry leaders and supporters from across the state. Back home in Airlie Beach, the rest of our team was watching the livestream. When “Gold – Whitsunday Escape” was read out for the second year running, there were cheers in the Gold Coast ballroom and across the Whitsundays, it was a moment none of us will forget.
It’s been a big few weeks for us. In October we won Gold for Bareboating at The Whitsundays Tourism Awards 2026. Now we’ve followed it with back-to-back state Gold, one year after taking out the same category in 2025. For a family of catamarans based at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach, standing on stage with Queensland’s best tourism businesses is something special.
Accepting the award on stage
Jaclyn Watson, Managing Director, and Rhys Bradford, Operations Director, accepted the award on stage on behalf of the Whitsunday Escape team.
“Winning Gold two years running, up against the best operators in Queensland, is something our whole team is incredibly proud of. It belongs to every one of them, and to every guest who has chosen to explore the Whitsundays with us,” said Ms Watson.
How the Queensland Tourism Awards are judged
The Queensland Tourism Awards ask a lot of every entrant. Each business is assessed on:
- A detailed written submission: the largest part of the score, covering the guest experience, business and marketing planning, customer service, risk management, our people and environmental management
- A site visit: a judge assesses the business from a visitor’s point of view and checks the claims made in the submission
- Online reputation: guest review scores gathered from travel and review sites
- Digital presence: how easy we are to find, research and book
It’s a months-long process, with submissions due in July and winners announced in November. Taking Gold means our business was judged among the very best in the state, inside and out.
Why a catamaran is unique accommodation
The Unique Accommodation category recognises places to stay with an experience built in. For us, that experience is bareboating: your accommodation is also your adventure, and you’re the one at the helm.
Most holiday accommodation stays put. Ours moves with you: your bedroom, lounge and sundeck, in the breathtaking Whitsundays. Swim off the back step before breakfast, then pull up anchor when you’re ready. No queues, no fixed itinerary: you set the route, the pace and the view.
Thank you to our guests
Every review, recommendation and return trip helped us get here. If you’ve sailed with us and shared your story, thank you. Read what our guests say on TripAdvisor.
What’s next: the Australian Tourism Awards and 2028
As a Queensland Gold winner, Whitsunday Escape is eligible to represent the state at the next Australian Tourism Awards. We were Highly Commended at the 2025 national awards, and we can’t wait to give it another shot.
Bookings for 2028 are open, with early-bird rates for those who like to plan ahead. If you’ve been meaning to see what all the fuss is about, now’s the time to lock in your boat and dates.
Frequently asked questions
What award did Whitsunday Escape win at the 2026 Queensland Tourism Awards? Whitsunday Escape won Gold for Unique Accommodation at the 2026 Queensland Tourism Awards on 6 November 2026. It follows Gold in the same category in 2025.
How are the Queensland Tourism Awards judged? Entrants are judged on a detailed written submission, a site visit by a judge, their online review scores and their digital presence. The written submission makes up the largest share of the score.
What other awards has Whitsunday Escape won? Whitsunday Escape won Gold for Bareboating at The Whitsundays Tourism Awards 2026 and Gold for Unique Accommodation at the 2025 Queensland Tourism Awards, and was Highly Commended at the 2025 Australian Tourism Awards.
What is bareboating? Bareboating means chartering a boat without a hired skipper. You skipper the catamaran yourself, choosing your own route, anchorages and pace within the Whitsundays cruising area.
Do I need boating experience to charter with Whitsunday Escape? Yes, you’ll need prior experience skippering a boat. Every charter starts with a full pre-departure briefing and a personalised handover of your catamaran, and we’re on the radio for support throughout your trip.
Can I book a Whitsundays bareboat charter for 2028? Yes. The 2028 calendar is open, with early-bird rates available.
Ready to plan your own award-winning escape? Contact our Reservations team and we’ll help you find the right catamaran and dates for your trip.