FEBRUARY 2022

Grey Nomad Awards finalists revealed 

Finalist: Dirranbandi caravan park

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THE national finalists in the 2021 Grey Nomad Awards have been revealed.

Organisers of the awards say the accolades provide "vital and credible information" to mature-age travellers about tourism operators who care about their needs, while supporting positive ageing through soft adventure and social inclusion.

Awards director Kim Morgan said they shone a light on regional Australia by rewarding organisations and destinations catering in an exemplary way to mature age visitors.

"In this way, the awards are fostering a better lifestyle for over 50s by providing verified information that will guide their decisions on where to travel safely in 2022, where to stay and what to experience along the way," she said.

The ongoing uncertainty for tourism businesses throughout last year made it especially challenging for them to face each day with confidence and the unwavering customer focus that is necessary to be recognised in the Grey Nomad Awards.

"For this reason we especially want to acknowledge the tremendous achievements of all the finalists," Ms Morgan said.

She said proof that the awards were making a difference was seen in the number of operators and destination marketing organisations entering more than one category.

"However, not everyone who enters can be successful.

"With both a minimum benchmark for being short-listed and a maximum of only six finalists announced in any category, securing a finalist berth is a real achievement," Ms Morgan said.

The Grey Nomad Awards are judged by mature-age tourism professionals, some of whom have experienced the grey nomad lifestyle personally, adding weight to the finalists' success.

Finalists of the 2021 Grey Nomad Awards in alphabetical order are:

· Berri Riverside Holiday Park (Riverlands SA)

· Booleroo Centre RV Park (Flinders Ranges and Outback SA)

· Burra Heritage Passport (Clare Valley SA)

· Charlotte Plains Outback Magic (Outback QLD)

· Charters Towers Tourist Park (Townsville Region QLD)

· CMCA RV Park Humpty Doo (Top End NT)

· CMCA RV Park Innisfail (Tropical North QLD)

· Dirranbandi Retreat and Caravan Park (Outback QLD)

· Evening Star Tourist Park (Outback QLD)

· Explore Rockhampton Self-Guided Audio Tours App (Capricorn QLD)

· Gallipoli to Armistice Trail (Fraser Coast QLD)

· Go Ballooning Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon Flight (Gold Coast QLD)

· Groper Creek Caravan Park (Townsville Region QLD)

· Hervey Bay Seafood Festival (Fraser Coast QLD)

· Inverell Caravan Park (Northern Tablelands NSW)

· Kimba Recreation Reserve (Eyre Peninsula SA)

· Kingston Walking Trails (Limestone Coast SA)

· Mary Valley Rattler (Sunshine Coast QLD)

· North of the Murray - The Shearing the Rams Trail (Riverina – Murray NSW)

· Paronella Park (Tropical North QLD)

· Point Turton Caravan Park (Yorke Peninsula SA)

· Queens Beach Tourist Village (Whitsundays QLD)

· Roora Nature Trails (Eyre Peninsula SA)

· Sunset Experience on Towers Hill (Townsville Region QLD)

· The Original Eumundi Markets (Sunshine Coast QLD)

· Valley View Caravan Park (High Country VIC)

· Wellshot Hotel Ilfracombe (Outback QLD)

The winners of all 11 categories will be announced on March 4 during an online celebration.

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