Tourism Minister Margaret Keech congratulated Lillydale Host Farm and O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat for winning top honours at Friday night's 2006 Queensland Tourism Awards.

Lillydale Host Farm won the Hosted Accommodation category and O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat took out the Deluxe Accommodation award.

"Lillydale Host Farm has had a long tradition of excellence, winning numerous awards in the past, including the Award for Excellence at last year's Queensland Tourism Awards," Mrs Keech said.

"It is wonderful to see the charm of the country is so appealing to our visitors and Doug and Pam Hardgrave deserve to be congratulated for their achievements in setting such high standards in hospitality.

"O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat is another deserving winner to take the Deluxe Accommodation Award from such outstanding company in a hotly contested category.

"This family-owned and operated business has excelled for decades in providing a range of accommodation options for guests against the spectacular backdrop of rainforest, waterfalls and breathtaking views."

Mrs Keech said Wiss House Bed and Breakfast was a finalist in the Hosted Accommodation category and Scenic Rim View Cottages received a Cutting Edge Directions' Award in the same category for the high standard of its nomination.

"The Queensland Tourism Awards recognise the best of the best and it was inspiring to see so many worthy entrants and so many delighted and enthusiastic winners and finalists in a diverse range of 28 categories," she said.

Around 1200 tourism leaders and representatives attended the gala awards ceremony to celebrate and commemorate excellence in the industry, held this year at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Mrs Keech paid tribute to the organisers of the event - Tourism Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council - as well as the 13-member Judging Panel and the sponsors for ensuring the gala evening was a huge success.

"This is the 10^th year that QR's Traveltrain Holidays has provided its support and

backing to the awards and we were delighted that they joined as our principal partner this year," she said.

All the winners will now automatically progress to the Australian Tourism Awards on 23 February 2007.

"There they will fly the Queensland flag and hopefully continue our proud record at the national level and showcase Queensland as the number one destination of choice."

For further information, visit www.queenslandtourismawards .com.au.