READERS' CHOICE AWARDS
BEST LUXURY HOTEL Palazzo Versace, Qld
BEST CRUISE LINE Cunard
BEST HOSTED ACCOMMODATION The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa, NSW
BEST ECO-TOURISM EXPERIENCE The Freycinet Experience Walk, Tas
GETAWAY BEST FAMILY ACCOMMODATION Tangalooma Island Resort, Qld
BEST ADVENTURE TOURISM Maria Island Walk, Tas
BEST INDIGENOUS TOURISM Anangu Waai, NT
BEST RESORT/LODGE ACCOMMODATION Cradle Mountain Lodge, Tas
BEST SPA/HEALTH RESORT Lake House & Salus Spa, Daylesford, Victoria
OUR EXPERTS' PICKS
BEST NEW ACCOMMODATION Qualia, Hamilton Island, Qld
BEST HERITAGE TOURISM Port Arthur, Tas
BEST TOUR OPERATOR World Expeditions
BEST ECO-TOURISM INITIATIVE Maria Island Walk, Tas
BEST TOURISM INNOVATOR Outback Encounter, SA
HOTTEST CITY Shanghai
View images and video from the 2008 awards
ceremony and check out last year's
winners.
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Gourmet Traveller Travel Awards 2008
From the Top End to Tasmania, we have the continent covered with the winners of our second annual Travel Awards.
It’s a measure of the diversity and maturity of Australian tourism that the 2008 Australian Gourmet Traveller Travel Awards winners – as decided by you, our readers – bring together an ancient rainforest, a glittering palazzo and a leisurely walk along the beach. Mix in a luxury lodge in the wilderness, a seaside spa resort, a close encounter with nature and a journey to a foreign land and culture within our own borders, and you’ve got the makings of the best holiday ever.
Our second annual Travel Awards, proudly presented in association with Nespresso, are a tribute to the inspiration and dedication of Australia’s leading tourism operators. This year’s award results are a joint effort between our expert panel of judges and more than 4,000 Gourmet readers and viewers of the Nine Network’s Getaway program. Our panel of experienced travel writers, editors and industry professionals delivered shortlists in nine categories, from Best Luxury Hotel to Best Cruise Line. Those shortlists were posted online for five weeks at gourmettraveller.com.au, where readers and viewers cast their votes.
In the meantime, our experts voted on a further five industry categories recognising the individuals behind the enterprises, plus the city most likely to hit the spotlight in the coming year.
The results of this unique collaboration between professional and amateur, reader and viewer are nothing short of a celebration of Australia’s uniquely wonderful experiences. The category winners cover a spectrum from the ancient to the new, the household names to the unsung heroes, the unspoiled beauty of nature to the wonder of the built environment. And, collectively, they provide compelling reasons to spend time exploring our own backyard.
WRITE-IN CATEGORIES
FAVOURITE AIRLINE
It seems we Aussies are a patriotic lot. You voted our national carrier, Qantas, your favourite airline in our online poll, followed by Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.
FAVOURITE INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION
Paris was the clear favourite by far in our best foreign destination vote; followed by Rome, Florence and Venice. New York also got top marks from many happy travellers.
BEST INTERNATIONAL HOTEL
Hong Kong's iconic Peninsula Hotel and The Fairmont Banff Springs were voted equal first place in our online poll to determine your favourite international hotel. Thanks to our sponsors British Airways and Small Luxury Hotels of the World for donating a trip for two to Paris for one lucky voter.
WORDS KENDALL HILL PHOTOGRAPH CHRIS CHEN