2021 Winners
Best
of the Best
Point Turton Caravan Park,
Yorke Peninsula, SA
More information below.
Hall of Fame
2019 - 2020 - 2021
Best Grey Nomad
Council Free-stay Campsite
Kimba Recreation Reserve
This campsite offers free (please donate) non-powered camping with access to new amenities, coin-operated showers, potable water, bins, a huge new camp kitchen with free BBQs, and is pet friendly. Owned and operated by the District Shire of Kimba, the campground is adjacent to the Roora Reserve Walking Trail with its memorable metal sculptures of native animals leading to the Whites Knob Lookout.
Kimba Recreation Reserve is the inaugural Hall of Fame recipient, and will enjoy this honour through until 2024.
Best Grey Nomad
Community Campsite
Berri Riverside Holiday Park
Owned by the Berri War Memorial Community Centre, the Berri Riverside Holiday Park is located within South Australia’s fruity Riverland region. Named because it wraps itself around the mighty Murray River, the holiday park gives visitors many opportunities to relax and embrace what the locals fondly call “river time”. Stand-alone features include pizza nights, a kiosk café, a custom-built mini golf course, resort-style pools and its own cruising restaurant, in addition to beautifully manicured sites.
Best Grey Nomad
Farm or Station Stay
Charlotte Plains Outback Magic
Charlotte Plains Outback Magic invites guests to experience something quintessentially Australian – a station half the size of Singapore where they can meet sheep, cattle, goats and some real outback characters while relaxing in hot bore baths under the stars. While the main drawcard is soaking in that crystal-clear water from the world's largest underground pond, the native animals and birds that flock to Charlotte Plains, plus the millions of stars that accompany every campfire, make this station stay an extraordinary experience.
Best Grey Nomad Trail
Explore Rockhampton Self-Guided Audio Tours App
The Explore Rockhampton App, launched in 2021, allows mature-age visitors to tour the Rockhampton region at their own pace. Offering seven unique trails and experiences, the free App provides self-guided audio tours. It also has functionality to pause any tour at any stage to enjoy a cup of coffee, a frothy beer, or some retail therapy. Its’ user-friendly design, built in maps and storytelling foundation is making it a firm favourite with grey nomads.
Best Grey Nomad Tour
Go Ballooning Gold Coast
Hot Air Balloon Tour
Go Ballooning is a Gold Coast owned and operated airline. It is a family business driven by a passion for aviation and adventure, combined with a vision to make a difference in its local community. Go Ballooning is partnered with the McGrath Foundation to “reach new heights for breast cancer awareness” and raise much needed funds to support their breast care nurses. Customers can choose from a variety of flight packages that can be complemented by a 5-star buffet breakfast at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort. Go Ballooning is a ‘must do adventure’ and ‘bucket list’ item for all.
Best Grey Nomad
Festival or Event
Hervey Bay Seafood Festival
The Great Sandy Strait and ocean beyond are internationally renowned for quality seafood. That makes the Hervey Bay Seafood Festival a must-attend Fraser Coast gourmet experience. The festival showcases an array of ‘Signature Seafood’ dishes from some of Hervey Bay’s most celebrated restaurants. Other offerings in 2021 included specialty bars and regional wine stalls, mouth-watering dessert options and jazz-inspired entertainment all enjoyed at an idyllic waterside green space.
Best Grey Nomad
Historic Attraction
Mary Valley Rattler
The not-for-profit Mary Valley Rattler is dedicated to ensuring the public has access to a quality heritage rail experience and operates a fully restored fleet of rolling stock. The attraction includes a small ‘museum’ that shares stories of the century-old Mary Valley Railway line and its people, a giftshop and the Rusty Rails Café, plus heritage rail experiences through the picturesque Mary Valley on the Sunshine Coast. With an accessible carriage and another that’s dog friendly, the Rattler departs from Gympie and has won the hearts of mature-age travellers.
Best Grey Nomad
Attraction
Paronella Park
Built in the 1930s, Paronella Park is one of Queensland’s earliest, and most popular, tourist attractions. Featuring waterfalls, bridges, tunnels, and castles, along with 7,000 trees, this property is a delight to explore. Guided tours run all day every day, and nightly, so that guests can enjoy an in-depth look into why this property was voted the Number One Must Do in Queensland.
Best Grey Nomad
Small Caravan Park
Point Turton Caravan Park
Situated in an historic limestone quarry, Point Turton Caravan Park caters to every whim, from smaller grassy tent sites to ones for big rigs. There is also a range of cabin-style accommodation including the innovative LuxePods. Overlooking the beautiful Hardwicke Bay, with its white sands, turquoise waters and long jetty that is superb for fishing, Point Turton Caravan Park is the perfect base from which to explore South Australia’s Southern Yorke Peninsula.
Best Grey Nomad
Large Caravan Park
Queens Beach Tourist Village Bowen
Queens Beach Tourist Village in Bowen is the quintessential tropical paradise - a hidden gem in the Whitsundays. Set in more than seven acres of lush tropical gardens with two crystal-clear swimming pools, accommodation includes cabins plus 140 powered grassed, slab or drive through sites. Travellers can also choose either the village’s regular or premium section. Conveniently located adjacent to the local tavern, the village is also only a five-minute stroll to the expansive north-facing Queens Beach.
Best Grey Nomad
Pub Stay
The Wellshot Hotel Ilfracombe
This historic and welcoming outback Queensland pub is less than 20 minutes from Longreach. The Wellshot Hotel has become renowned amongst travellers for its themed Public Bar and unique approach to raising funds for charity. This combines with good tucker, icy cold beverages, powered and non-powered sites, 24-hour amenities, a dog-friendly space, stunning sunsets and unrelenting night skies to create a truly