OUTBACK TRIUMPH
Cobbold Gorge gets first national award
THE owner of acclaimed Far North tourist destination Cobbold Gorge is tipping another stellar season after his outback retreat was recognised on the national stage.
Simon Terry was yesterday still “soaking up the moment” after his business’ village-style lodging won silver in the Hosted Accommodation section at Friday’s Australian Tourism Awards in Darwin.
“It’s a great achievement for the team on the ground at home,” he said.
“To win a national award is a tremendous accolade.”
About 460km southwest of Cairns in Queensland’s Savannah region, the “outback oasis” had never previously been a finalist in the Australian Tourism Awards.
It comes about 55 years after his parents bought the property as a cattle station.
Cobbold Gorge last year welcomed a 20 per cent increase in visitor numbers and Mr Terry was expecting further growth this year.
“The level of inquiry and in- terest in our region has been huge – we’ve got a really good feeling,” he said. “We’re constantly monitoring the feedback from guests and are trying to meet their needs.”
Mr Terry said bookings were “huge” for when Cobbold Gorge opens for the season on April 1.
Cobbold Gorge was also a finalist in the Tourist Attraction section, which was won by renowned Canberra venue Questacon.
The Mossman Gorge Centre was the only other Far North award recipient on Friday, taking out bronze in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism category.
The region has not claimed gold since Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort took out the 2014 Tourist and Caravan Parks section.
After a substandard 2015 awards, Queensland bounced back this year by taking out four golds.
Harvey Lister, chairman of Cairns Convention Centre’s management company AEG Ogden, also took out the esteemed Australian Tourism Legend award.