The winners of the 29th Australian Tourism Awards were announced on Friday night at a gala event at Sydney’s Luna Park.

The winners, across 28 categories, spanned Australian’s tourism’s wide range of sectors and experiences.

“We recognise and applaud the businesses who continue to demonstrate excellence in servicing the needs and exceeding the expectations of both domestic and international visitors – you represent the finest tourism businesses in Australia,” National Tourism Alliance chairman John Hart said.

Stephen Thompson, executive general manager international sales at Qantas – the event’s sponsor – underlined the airline’s commitment to “working closely” with its tourism partners in 2014.

“We are more committed than ever to promoting Australian tourism and encouraging more people to fly here and see all that our country has to offer,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tourism Australian general manager destination development Katherine Droga congratulated the “talented and often unsung heroes” of the industry.

“These awards help us focus on the tremendous effort that goes into making Australia’s tourism experiences world class, helping to turn visitors into such great advocates for our country,” she said.

“I'm delighted to see some of Australia’s best restaurants and wineries represented amongst the winners with food and wine set to be a big focus for Tourism Australia’s international marketing this year.”

Over 900 industry leaders and operators attended the National Tourism Alliance-owned and managed event, with guests including the Federal Minister for Trade and Investment, Andrew Robb.

Guests enjoyed a preview of Baz Luhrman’s Strictly Ballroom the Musical and a performance by Jessica Mauboy.

The winners of the Australian Tourism Awards are:

Major Tourist Attractions

Taronga Zoo NSW Winner

Melbourne Zoo VIC Silver

Kings Park WA Bronze

Tourist Attractions

Taronga Western Plains Zoo NSW Winner

Bruny Island Cruises TAS Silver

Hahndorf Farm Barn SA Bronze

Major Festivals and Events

Melbourne Cup Carnival VIC Winner

Byron Bay Bluesfest NSW Silver

2013 Clipsal 500 Adelaide SA Bronze

Festivals and Events

Kings Park Festival WA Winner

Deni Blues and Roots Festival NSW Silver

2012 RACV Energy Breakthrough VIC Bronze

Ecotourism

Bruny Island Cruises TAS Winner

Moonraker Dolphin Swims VIC Silver

Rawnsley Park Station Eco-Villas SA Bronze

Heritage and Cultural Tourism

Jenolan Caves – Written In Stone NSW Winner

Venture North Australia NT Silver

Port Arthur Historic Site TAS Bronze

Indigenous Tourism

Tri State Safaris/Mutawintji Eco Tours NSW Winner

Ayers Rock Resort NT Silver

Koomal Dreaming WA Bronze

Specialised Tourism Services

DIY Tourguide Australia NT Winner

Leisure Options VIC Silver

Rottnest Island Bike & Hire WA Bronze

Visitor Information and Services

Frankston Visitor Information Centre VIC Winner

Ipswich Visitor Information Centre QLD Silver

Moree Visitor Information Centre NSW Bronze

Business Tourism

Uluru Meeting Place NT Winner

Fairmont Resort MGallery NSW Silver

The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel TAS Bronze

Major Tour and/or Transport Operators

Spirit of Tasmania TAS Winner

Quicksilver Group QLD Silver

AAT Kings NT Bronze

Tour and/or Transport Operators

Tour Barossa SA Winner

Moonraker Dolphin Swims VIC Silver

Life’s an Adventure NSW Bronze

Adventure Tourism

Life’s an Adventure NSW Winner

Enchanted Adventure Garden VIC Silver

Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours VIC Bronze

Destination Marketing

The Human Brochure ACT Winner

Outback Queensland Travellers' Guide 2013 QLD Silver

Tourism Southern Highlands NSW Bronze

Tourism Education and Training

Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School NSW Winner

Australian Tourism Data Warehouse – Tourism e‚Äêkit, QLD Silver

Crown College VIC Bronze

Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services

The Corner Restaurant NSW Winner

Stillwater at Crittenden VIC Silver

Windy Point Restaurant and Café SA Bronze

Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries

Pindarie Cellar Door SA Winner

Margan Wines NSW Silver

Ocean View Estates Winery and Restaurant QLD Bronze

Tourist and Caravan Parks

BIG4 Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort QLD Winner

BIG4 Adelaide Shores Caravan Park SA Silver

Nambucca River Tourist Park NSW Bronze

Backpacker Accommodation

Sydney Harbour YHA (Hall of Fame) NSW Winner

Space Hotel VIC Silver

Cairns Central YHA QLD Bronze

Hosted Accommodation

Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat QLD Winner

Honeycomb Valley Farm ‚Äê Farmstay NSW Silver

The Australasian Circa 1858 SA Bronze

Unique Accommodation

Whitsunday Escape QLD Winner

Rawnsley Park Station Eco Villas SA Silver

Rocky Hills Retreat TAS Bronze

Standard Accommodation

Blue Moon Cottages VIC Winner

Narnu Farm SA Silver

Ibis Styles Katherine NT Bronze

Deluxe Accommodation

Lasseters Hotel NT Winner

Fairmont Resort MGallery NSW Silver

Emaroo Port Hughes SA Bronze

Luxury Accommodation

Emporium Hotel QLD Winner

Saffire – Freycinet TAS Silver

Sails in the Desert Hotel NT Bronze

New Tourism Development

Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions – Great White Adventure SA Winner

Treetop Adventure Park Sydney NSW Silver

SKYCITY Darwin (Resort) NT Bronze

Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism

Pennicott Wilderness Journeys TAS Winner

Adelaide Shores SA Silver

Crystal Creek Meadows Luxury Cottages and Spa Retreat NSW Bronze

Local Government Award

City of Swan WA Winner

Port Macquarie Hastings Council NSW Silver

Alexandrina Council SA Bronze

2013 Australian Tourism Legend – (National Outstanding Contribution by an Individual)

Julian Ledger NSW Winner