Worimi-owned adventure business Sand Dune Adventures has claimed gold in the prestigious Australian Tourism Awards.
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The first national gold award to be taken out by the Williamtown-based business, Sand Dune Adventures claimed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism category.
“Aboriginal tourism is too often categorised as solely being about bush-tucker, dance and didgeridoo. Without moving too far away from these rich cultural elements, we sought to demonstrate just how much more we have to offer,” Andrew Smith, chief executive officer of the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council, which administers Sand Dune Adventures, said.
“Our product is culturally authentic and this win is a good reflection of the team’s hard work and commitment to deliver a professional tourism experience.
“This award belongs to our community and to the wider Port Stephens region which includes the numerous tour operators out there passionately promoting this beautiful part of Australia known as Worimi country.”
Sand Dune Adventures is Aboriginal owned and operated. It provides “cultural adrenaline” quad bike tours on Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council’s private freehold land within the Stockton sand dunes system – the largest in the southern hemisphere.
No stranger to winning tourism awards, Sand Dune Adventures has previously won gold at the regional and state levels.
The Australian Tourism Awards, for the year 2017, was held in Perth on February 23.
Adam Marshall, the Minister for Tourism and Major Events, said the NSW tourism industry had once again shone a spotlight on the state’s world-class tourism products, experiences and major events.
“NSW was well represented at the national awards,” he said. “I’d like to extend my congratulations to all of this year’s finalists and winners, and particularly recognise our gold winners, all coming from regional NSW.”
Of the 24 finalists, NSW took out 11 awards on the night, including three gold, three Silver and five Bronze.
Other NSW-based gold award winners included Deniliquin’s BIG4 Holiday Park received for Australia’s best caravan and holiday parks and Margan Winery and restaurant in Cessnock for excellence in food tourism.
The Australian Tourism Awards are considered the pinnacle event for the nation’s tourism industry.