Outdoors Queensland Awards

Sponsored by the Klepper Training Academy

This award is for individuals employed in the outdoor sector who have demonstrated professionalism, high achievement in a particular field and exemplary role modelling.

They should meet all or some of the Essential Criteria, and in addition, they may have demonstrated excellence through one or more:

• High achiever in chosen field
• Exemplary leadership and role modelling
• Commitment to professional practice and communication
• Ethical outdoor practice
• Significant contribution to an organisation, outdoor recreation and/or the outdoor community

Suitable for an Individual

Sponsored by the Queensland Government

This award is for individuals who have given outstanding service as volunteers to outdoor activity providers, education centres or support services.

They should meet all or some of the Essential Criteria, and in addition, they may have demonstrated excellence through one or more:

• Significant contribution to the outdoors, outdoor activities recreation and/or the outdoor community
• Unwavering commitment to their chosen field of service
• Consistent high standards of activity delivery, support and/or communication
• Ethical outdoor practice

Suitable for an Individual

Sponsored by K2 Base Camp

This award recognises the efforts and achievements of an individual new to the outdoor sector; a student, a young person, or anyone making a change into the sector. They may be enrolled in a structured course (eg school, TAFE, university), volunteering, working as a trainee, or newly employed by an outdoor provider.

They should meet all or some of the Essential Criteria, and in addition, they may have demonstrated excellence through one or more:

• Achievement of personal goals or marked improvement
• Personal leadership qualities and initiative
• Professional behaviour and ethical outdoor practice
• Effort over and above what is expected
• Commitment to best practice delivery and safety
• Contribution which has helped achieve significant outcomes

Suitable for an Individual

Sponsored by the Queensland Government

This award is for an outdoor recreation peak body, club, provider, event, product or service that stands out from all others; has raised awareness about the benefits of outdoor recreation and being outdoors; has increased participation in outdoor recreation; and has made a significant impact on the outdoor recreation sector.

They should meet all or some of the Essential Criteria, and in addition, they may have demonstrated excellence through one or more:

• Consistent high quality service delivery and safety record
• Innovative instructional, recreational, or educational programs
• Inclusive opportunities for people of all ages and/or abilities
• Demonstrated environmental sustainability and land management practices
• Active involvement in local communities
• Opportunities created for people to have positive experiences in the outdoors
• Effective marketing and promotion

Suitable for an Organisation

Sponsored by Equipped Outdoors

This award is for school, early childhood, out of school care, camp, outdoor education or service providers that deliver outdoor education programs or services in outdoor adventurous settings, and help to significantly influence a participant’s physical ability, mental health and ability to thrive.

They should meet all or some of the Essential Criteria, and in addition they may have demonstrated excellence through one or more:

• Innovative instructional or educational programs
• Consistent high quality service delivery and safety record
• Inclusive opportunities for students of all ages and/or abilities
• Development of innovative outdoor learning environments, spaces or venues
• Development of creative resources for outdoor education – activities, games, initiatives.
• Demonstrated environmental sustainability and land management practices
• Innovative or creative approaches to curriculum interpretation in outdoor learning.
• Creating opportunities for students to have positive experiences in the outdoors
• Outcomes that include improved student personal, social and environmental awareness, understanding and commitment

Suitable for an Organisation

Sponsored by Protect Beautiful Queensland

The recipient of this award is an individual, organisation or program that has significantly improved the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders through the use of nature and/or adventure by delivering innovative programs, interventions, training, advocacy and/or research.

They should meet all or some of the Essential Criteria, and in addition they may have demonstrated excellence through one or more:

• Inclusive program design and delivery
• Program development in line with state and/or national health initiatives
• Demonstrated commitment to sustainable replicable program development
• Outcomes demonstrating improvements to users and/or practice
• Demonstrated commitment to the development of adventure therapies

Suitable for an Individual or an Organisation

Sponsored by the Queensland Government

This award is for a tourism operator, event, product or service that delivers outdoor activity adventure products for either local or inbound participants.

They should meet all or some of the Essential Criteria, and in addition they may have demonstrated excellence through one or more:

• Consistent high quality service delivery and safety record
• Innovative physical activity products
• Demonstrated focus on the environment and/or indigenous culture
• Inclusive opportunities for people of all ages and/or abilities
• Demonstrated environmental sustainability and land management practices
• Opportunities created for people to have positive experiences in the outdoors
• Responsible marketing and promotion

Suitable for an Organisation

Sponsored by the Active Queenslanders Industry Alliance (AQIA)

This award is open to any organisation that supports workforce development by

• taking on trainee employees/volunteers,
• providing in-house training,
• supporting workers to undertake external training,
• providing relevant training courses and qualifications eg VET, university and/or non-accredited.

They should meet all or some of the Essential Criteria, and in addition, they may have demonstrated excellence through one or more: 

• Commitment to personal and career development of workers 
• Consistent high quality training delivery 
• Provision of support for workers to undertake education and/or training with Registered Training Organisations or universities
• Trainee positions offered to a diverse range of people and abilities 
• Incorporating a commitment to the Australian Adventure Activity Standard (AAAS) within worker training

Suitable for an Organisation

Sponsored by Outdoors Queensland

The Government Achievement Award recognises the achievements of local or state government department, agency, person or program and/or agency that has produced positive outcomes for the outdoor sector.

The recipient of this award, selected by the Outdoors Queensland Board, should meet all or some of the Essential Criteria, and in addition may have demonstrated excellence through one or more:

• Development of supportive policies, strategies and/or actions
• Active engagement with advisory groups or committees to address community needs and values
• The provision of a diverse range of outdoor activity opportunities

In 2026, the 25^th Anniversary of the Outdoors Queensland Awards, we are proud into introduce a new award category – The People’s Choice Award sponsored by the Queensland Government. Award finalist supporters, outdoor recreation enthusiasts and members of the public will be encouraged to vote for their favourite finalist when voting opens once the finalists have been released. The winner will be announced at the annual Outdoors Queensland Awards Dinner

Terms and Conditions

• Each voter will be limited to one vote only.
• Any attempt to submit multiple votes will result in all that person’s votes being cancelled.
• The finalist with the highest number of votes will be the winner.

Resources to help you plan and run an amazing event: Event Management