Walkabout Cultural Adventures Wins National Tourism Award
The Cooya Beach Indigenous tour group took the inaugural National First Nations Tourism Excellence Awards prize at a Perth/Boorloo ceremony.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Australia and New Zealand
Walkabout Cultural Adventures, an Indigenous tour group based in Cooya Beach, Queensland, won the inaugural National First Nations Tourism Excellence Awards. The business had earlier been named the Queensland winner, which qualified it for the national finals.
Why it matters
The win spotlights Indigenous-led tourism operators in Australia and the cultural experiences they offer visitors. For travellers in Australia, it points to Cooya and Mossman Gorge tours as ways to engage directly with First Nations guides.
The national result placed Walkabout first ahead of Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism, with Karrke and Wula Gura Nyinda sharing third place. The source does not detail the judging criteria or total number of entrants.
The players
Walkabout Cultural Adventures
An Indigenous tour group based in Cooya Beach, Queensland, offering cultural tours of Mossman Gorge and Cooya.
Juan Walker
The founder of Walkabout Cultural Adventures, who established the family-run tourism business.
The details
Walkabout runs tours of Mossman Gorge and Cooya, including mud-crab hunting and identifying edible produce such as green ants and local fruits. The family-run business was founded by Juan Walker and won its Queensland regional award before progressing to the national finals.
Timeline
Earlier in 2026: Walkabout named Queensland award winner, qualifying for the national finals.
Week of 12 November 2026: National awards night held in Perth/Boorloo.
Travel Outlook
The inaugural National First Nations Tourism Excellence Awards set a new national benchmark for Indigenous-led tourism in Australia. Walkabout's win establishes the first winner of an award that now positions Indigenous operators within the country's broader travel offering.
Travellers planning a visit to Cooya or Mossman Gorge can book Walkabout's cultural tours directly with the Indigenous-run operator. The award win may draw more demand, so booking early is a sensible step.
The takeaway
Choosing Indigenous-led tour operators gives visitors firsthand insight into First Nations culture and supports local businesses. Booking with award-recognised guides is one practical way to travel with greater cultural awareness.
Further reading
Explore more on Australia and New Zealand travel destinations.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NEWSPORT DAILY.
