OUR FIRST-TIME TOURISM AWARD WINNERS

TOURISM AWARDS: NEW SHINING STARS

Chairlift – Cataract Gorge Reserve, First Basin and Cliff Grounds. Photo credit: Tourism Tasmania & Kathryn Leahy ISSUE 7 | SPRING | 2021

The 2021 Tasmanian Tourism Awards celebrated innovation and resilience in an environment unlike any other our industry has ever faced.

Winning gold recognises excellence, quality and sustainability in tourism, and thrusts Tasmanian operators straight on to the national stage as finalists in the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. Those incredible trophies are hard won! Awards entrants are required to write an 8000-word submission to rigorous criteria, while an in-person site visit, online review and consumer

Lee, David and Jo Larter – Gorge Scenic Chairlift

rating score are also considered in determining our state’s top operators. It’s no mean feat to enter the awards program, and – as with many things – the first time can be the toughest. In honour of every awards entrant over the years, all of whom have had their own first time, we’re throwing the spotlight on the winners who took gold on debut in 2021!

GORGE SCENIC CHAIRLIFT GOLD – TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Operating since 1972, the Gorge Scenic Chairlift traverses Launceston’s Cataract Gorge from above, allowing passengers to appreciate fully the spectacular views of this ancient natural icon. It boasts

the longest single span of any chairlift in the world, which travels over the basin, taking in majestic dolerite cliffs, Victorian gardens and native fauna. Founded by Barry Larter, the Gorge Scenic Chairlift has always been a family affair and remains in the Larter’s care, with Jo and David at the helm.

“We’ve been there for 50 years next year and a lot of people have supported us in that time,” says David. “We’re grateful to all our customers – especially the locals – and so proud of our amazing team!”

Lap of Tasmania’s Andrew and Karen Strikis

LAP OF TASMANIA GOLD – TOURISM MARKETING & CAMPAIGNS

Launched in May 2019, Lap of Tasmania was inspired by founder Andrew Strikis’ road trip experience in far-north Scotland. With natural beauty in spades, short distances between gourmet food stops, cosy B&Bs and an aura of mystique, a road trip connecting Tasmania’s best bits seemed an obvious new business endeavour and brand. Linking 12 of Tassie’s finest natural attractions and following sealed roads for its entire distance, the Lap of Tasmania is a self-drive road trip that harnesses the power of the digital environment to promote Tasmania as a destination to the world.

“It takes a community to truly make the Lap of Tasmania feel alive, diverse, vibrant and filled with possibility,” says Andrew. “So many people have

played their part in supporting me and the business, and to take out the gold award is a dream come true.”

TURNER STILLHOUSE GOLD – TOURISM WINERIES, DISTILLERIES & BREWERIES

Located in northern Tasmania at Tamar Ridge, Turner Stillhouse is a craft spirits distillery that has been producing bespoke gin since 2018. Its flagship brand Three Cuts Gin was the highest award-rated gin in Tasmania last year, winning four medals at the prestigious International Wine & Spirits

Justin Turner and Brett Coulson of Turner Stillhouse with Hon Sarah Courtney MP

Competition in London, and was the only Tasmanian gin to have ever won Gold. Founder, CEO and distiller Justin Turner had a vision to create a distillery that brought a unique interactive experience to guests, and his dream came to life when Turner Stillhouse opened in late 2019. Justin says. “All of the nominees do such a fantastic job in creating an environment where Tasmania is a worldclass destination for wine, beer and spirit connoisseurs.”

“We’re a threeyear-old distillery, so for us to come out on top is such a huge achievement,”

Kittawa Lodge. Photo credit: Emilie Ristevski

KITTAWA LODGE GOLD – GUSTAV WEINDORFER AWARD FOR NEW TOURISM BUSINESS

In the middle of Bass Strait, King Island is home to Kittawa Lodge, an adults-only boutique luxury lodge situated on a secluded ocean-front property. The lodge offers two onebedroom hideaways, nestled within over 750 metres of coastline, grassy sand dunes and natural spring dams. Created, owned and operated by sea-changers Aaron Suine and Nick Stead, Kittawa Lodge welcomed its first guests on 18 October 2019, after three years of planning and development. By March 2020, interstate and international borders had slammed shut and this still-new business was effectively unable to accept guests for nearly six months. Rather than rest on their laurels, Aaron and Nick used this forced business sabbatical to further grow Kittawa Lodge’s brand, ensuring a strong comeback from December 2020 that has continued since. As the first King Island business to win a Tasmanian Tourism Award, Aaron and Nick are proud to share their gold with the island community.

Kittawa Lodge – Aaron Suine and Nick Stead

“This (Award) is as much about our island community as it is for our small business,” says Aaron. “We are just so incredibly grateful to have received this recognition – it was certainly not what we were expecting in starting the process, but we are completely chuffed!”

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