Outdoors Queensland Award Winners 2026

The Winners 2026

Outdoors Queensland is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Outdoors Queensland Awards. The awards judging panel would like to acknowledge all the winners, all the finalists, all the nominees and all those who put forward a nomination, for all they have done for the outdoors in Queensland.
Click here to see all the Finalist Videos

Congratulations to all!

Klepper Training Academy Outdoor Professional Award
This award is for individuals who have demonstrated professionalism, high achievement in a particular field and exemplary role modelling.
Finalists: Darryl Dilger, Tom Barton
Winner: Steve Whitmore

K2 Base Camp Emerging Achiever Award
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.
Finalists: Alice Montoya, Rochelle Dove
Winner: Ella Phillips

Queensland Government Outdoor Volunteer Award
This award is for individuals who have given outstanding service as volunteers to the outdoor sector.
Finalist: Sabina Kath
Winner: Brent Greenfield

Equipped Outdoors Outdoor Education Award
This award is for school, early childhood, out of school care, camp or outdoor education providers that deliver outdoor education programs in outdoor adventurous settings, and significantly influence a participant’s physical ability, mental health and ability to thrive
Finalists: Total Adventures, Trinity Anglican School, Adventure Alternatives
Winner: Berrinba East State School

AQIA Workforce Development Award
This award is open to any organisation that supports workforce development by taking on trainee employees/volunteers, provides in-house training or supports workers to undertake external training.
Finalist: Paramount Adventure Centre,
Winner: Walkabout Training

Queensland Government Outdoor Recreation Award
This award is for an outdoor recreation peak body, club, provider, event or product 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.
Finalists: parkrun, Queensland Muslims
Winner: Townsville Bushwalking Club

Protect Beautiful Queensland Outdoor Therapies Award
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.
Finalists: Birdwings Forest School, My Summit ABTS
Winner: Naturally Kids Allied Health

Queensland Government Adventure Tourism Award
This award is for a tourism operator, event or product that delivers outdoor activity adventure products for either local or inbound participants.
Finalists: Adventure Tribe, Alrock Adventures
Winner: Cape York Motorcycle Adventures

Outdoors Queensland Government Achievement Award
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.
Finalists: City of Moreton Bay – Lagoon Road Mountain Bike Trails, Brisbane City Council – Gap Creek MTB Trail Network
Winner: Bundaberg Regional Council – fostering an outdoor participation

Lucky Door Prizes

Lucky door prizes handed during the Awards Dinner were kindly donated by K2 Base Camp (a Lowe Alpine Airzone backpack); Equipped Outdoors (an MSR WhisperLite™ International Stove), and a collection of books from Outdoors Queensland.

Everyone who attended the Awards Dinner took home an Edelrid Micro S carabiner courtesy of award sponsor Equipped Outdoors

Sponsors

Outdoors Queensland thanks and acknowledges the ongoing support of the Outdoors Queensland Awards from our sponsors: the Queensland Government, K2 Base Camp, the Active Queenslanders Industry Alliance, Equipped Outdoors, Protect Beautiful Queensland, Klepper Training Academy and Element Photo and Video Productions