Australian Gourmet Traveller 2011 Travel Awards
The results are in...
Kendall Hill congratulates the winners of the 2011 Travel Awards – a rollcall of the best travel destinations, services and experiences Australia has to offer.
It has been, by any measure, a tumultuous year. After enduring devastating floods at home, and earthquakes, tsunamis and war abroad, now’s a good time to take stock and reflect on things for which to be thankful. In Australia, despite a torrential summer that devastated huge swathes of the nation, we have emerged with our spirit intact – though needing, perhaps, a reminder as to why we call ourselves the lucky country, something that celebrates the unique character and extraordinary attributes of this continent. Something like the Gourmet Traveller Travel Awards, our annual account of the most exceptional destinations in the land.
In the five years since our Travel Awards debuted, one thing’s become certain. You, our readers, have terrific taste. Each year our expert panel of travel writers, editors, photographers and independent industry leaders crafts shortlists of finalists in a dozen categories which are then voted on by Gourmet Traveller readers and viewers of the Nine Network’s Getaway program. This year our online electorate cast more than 26,000 votes to decide the country’s foremost holiday experiences. (Such enthusiasm might have had something to do with the $15,000 holiday for two to the Relais & Châteaux-sanctioned Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa in Tahiti that was on offer for poll participants). Your votes determined the winners in our 12 top categories, from Best Health Retreat to Best New Boutique Accommodation and Best Family Experience.
In addition, our expert panel voted alone to decide the outcome in a further four categories ranging across Sustainable Tourism, Best Tour Operator, Best New Hotel, Resort or Lodge and Hottest International City. This year the panel also voted for what they felt was the Standout Australian Travel Experience of the Year.
The stars of our 2011 Travel Awards include a homegrown cruise company that voyages in style to some of this world’s best-kept coastal secrets, and a brave new art gallery that is fearless and free to all. There are reasons to be thankful, too, in a world-renowned wilderness walk that rewards pluck and determination, and in a rural labour of love that, four decades on, is known nationwide as a bijou hotel of impeccable taste. And, in an unprecedented showing, one tropical island in our north has triumphed in a record three categories this year.
All told, the 2011 honour roll – proudly sponsored, once again, by Nespresso – features old favourites and new faces, holiday highlights from every state and a stellar list of what’s to love about this wide brown land.
What are you waiting for? Check out all the winners of our Australian Gourmet Traveller 2011 Travel Awards now.