Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Gourmet Traveller Travel Awards 2008

I noticed this in the mag and as it is online it might be of assistance for visitors to QLD and TAS, at the very least. Note that these are a hybrid award, with some 'Industry' awards plus the reader voting.

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.


READERS' CHOICE AWARDS
BEST LUXURY HOTEL Palazzo Versace (http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/gt_travel_awards_2008_best_luxury_hotel.htm), Qld
BEST CRUISE LINE Cunard (http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/gt_travel_awards_2008_best_cruise_line.htm)
BEST HOSTED ACCOMMODATION The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa (http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/gt_travel_awards_2008_best_hosted_accommodation.ht m), NSW
BEST ECO-TOURISM EXPERIENCE The Freycinet Experience Walk (http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/gt_travel_awards_2008_best_ecotourism_experience.h tm), Tas
GETAWAY BEST FAMILY ACCOMMODATION Tangalooma Island Resort (http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/gt_travel_awards_2008_getaway_best_family_accommod ation.htm), Qld
BEST ADVENTURE TOURISM Maria Island Walk (http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/gt_travel_awards_2008_best_adventure_tourism.htm), Tas
BEST INDIGENOUS TOURISM Anangu Waai (http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/gt_travel_awards_2008_best_indigenous_tourism.htm) , NT
BEST RESORT/LODGE ACCOMMODATION Cradle Mountain Lodge (http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/gt_travel_awards_2008_best_resortlodge_accommodati on.htm), Tas
BEST SPA/HEALTH RESORT Lake House & Salus Spa, Daylesford (http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/gt_travel_awards_2008_best_spahealth_resort.htm), Victoria

OUR EXPERTS' PICKS
BEST NEW ACCOMMODATION Qualia, Hamilton Island (http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/gt_travel_awards_2008_best_new_accommodation.htm), Qld
BEST HERITAGE TOURISM Port Arthur (http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/gt_travel_awards_2008_best_heritage_tourism.htm), Tas
BEST TOUR OPERATOR World Expeditions (http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/gt_travel_awards_2008_best_tour_operator.htm)
BEST ECO-TOURISM INITIATIVE Maria Island Walk (http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/gt_travel_awards_2008_best_ecotourism_initiative.h tm), Tas
BEST TOURISM INNOVATOR Outback Encounter (http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/gt_travel_awards_2008_best_tourism_innovator.htm), SA
HOTTEST CITY Shanghai (http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/gt_travel_awards_2008_hottest_city.htm)

Is anyone interested in these destinations or activities? There are a few newish ones here. :)
Some Oz Fest 5 visitors may have tried the Tasmanian ones already. ^

Full details here:
Gourmet Traveller Travel Awards 2008 (http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/gourmet_traveller_travel_awards_2008.htm)
(No connection to me other than as a reader, non-voter and my interest in a few of these places ;))


PS. International hotel vote winner - in case this helps you gauge the usefulness of the reader voting,winning votes for best hotel: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.