Forty-one tourism experiences have been named as the best in Australia for mature-age visitors,
with Queensland dominating

Awards Absolute Pty Ltd, Media Release, 8 March 2024

Heading the list was Bullara Station Stay in the Exmouth Gulf of Western Australia. The agritourism pastoral property was named the Best of the Best after being named the Gold Award winner of the Best Farm or Station Stay and the Best Grey Nomad Experience in Western Australia. The Best of the Best is handed to the winner that impressed the judges the most, as determined by the highest cumulative score from all winners.

The Grey Nomad Awards is a niche national tourism program that shines a light on the best places for older travellers to stay and play around the country. The Award announcements reflect achievements throughout 2023.

2023 Grey Nomad Award Gold winners:

• Best Foodie Experience (NEW): Bullara Station Stay, Australia’s Coral Coast WA
• Best Attraction: Outback at Isa Visitor Information Centre, Outback Queensland Qld
• Best Community Stay: Berri Riverside Holiday Park, Riverland SA
• Best Dog Friendly Stay: Sunset Tourist Park, Mount Isa, Outback Queensland Qld
• Best Farm or Station Stay: Bullara Station Stay (WA)
• Best Festival or Event: Outback Queensland Masters, Outback Queensland Qld
• Best Freedom Stay: Tobermorey Station Roadhouse & Caravan Park, Central Australia NT
• Best Grey Nomad Friendly Town (REINTRODUCED): Thallon, St George Region, Outback Queensland Qld
• Best Historic Attraction: Paronella Park, Tropical North Queensland Qld
• Best Large Caravan Park: Queens Beach Tourist Village, Bowen, The Whitsundays Qld
• Best Small Caravan Park: Mt Larcom Tourist Park, Gladstone Region Qld
• Best Tour: Sarina Sugar Shed Tour, Mackay Isaac Region Qld
• Best Trail: Thomas Dambo’s Giants of Mandurah, Peel Region WA
• Best Pub Stay: Great Lake Hotel, Miena, Central Highlands Tas.

2023 Silver Awards winners:

• Best Foodie Experience: Sarina Sugar Shed Tasting Tour, Mackay Isaac Region Qld
• Best Attraction: Paronella Park, Tropical North Queensland Qld
• Best Community Stay: Cleve Showgrounds RV Park, Eyre Peninsula SA
• Best Farm or Station Stay: Tobermorey Station Roadhouse & Caravan Park, Central Aust NT
• Best Festival or Event: Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival – Burdekin, Townsville North Queensland Qld
• Best Freedom Stay: Gum Tree Lodge and Bush Camp Howard, Fraser Coast Qld
• Best Grey Nomad Friendly Town: Quilpie, Outback Queensland Qld
• Best Historic Attraction: Charlotte Plains Outback Magic, Outback Queensland Qld
• Best Large Caravan Park: Berri Riverside Holiday Park, Riverland SA
• Best Small Caravan Park: Valley View Caravan Park, Victorian High Country Vic
• Best Tour: Sunset Experience on Towers Hill, Townsville North Queensland Qld
• Best Trail: Flinders Ranges Self Drive Loop, Flinders Ranges and Outback SA
• Best Pub Stay: Overland Corner Hotel, Riverland SA.

2023 Bronze winners:

• Best Foodie Experience: ‘Deep to Dish’ Tasmanian Wild Seafood Adventures, Hobart & Beyond Tas
• Best Attraction: Quilpie Visitor Information Centre, Museum and Gallery, Outback Queensland Qld
• Best Festival or Event: Big Skies Festival, Western Downs – Southern Country Queensland Qld
• Best Freedom Stay: Mikkira Station Koala Sanctuary, Eyre Peninsula SA
• Best Grey Nomad Friendly Town: Port Pirie, Flinders Ranges and Outback SA
• Best Historic Attraction: Charters Towers Ambulance Museum, Townsville North Queensland Qld
• Best Small Caravan Park: Charters Towers Tourist Park, Townsville North Queensland Qld
• Best Pub Stay: The Cradock Hotel, Cradock, Flinders Ranges and Outback SA

In addition, Queens Beach Tourist Village was inducted into the Hall of Fame after winning their category for three consecutive years. A huge congratulations on this epic effort.

2023 also saw the introduction of new Best Grey Nomad Experience in State winners:

• NT: Tobermorey Station Roadhouse & Caravan Park, Central Australia
• Qld: Thallon, St George Region, Outback Queensland
• SA: Port Pirie, Flinders Ranges and Outback
• Tas: Tasmanian Wild Seafood Adventures, Hobart & Beyond
• Vic: Valley View Caravan Park, Victorian High Country
• WA: Bullara Station Stay, Australia’s Coral Coast

All Awards categories except Best Pub Stay are judged by tourism leaders from across the country who offer valuable insights and detailed feedback to each entrant, ensuring nominees have practical tips to improve their tourism offering for the future benefit of their business, their community and visitors. The Best Pub Stay is determined by public vote after due diligence and socials assessment.