Ferry impressive: Searoad Ferries takes bronze at Australian Tourism Awards

SEAROAD Ferries has added another trophy to their shelf, taking out bronze at the latest Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.

The Queenscliff-Sorrento ferry operator picked up third place in the Major Tour and Transport Operators category in the peak awards for the national tourism industry.

Hosted by the Australian Tourism Industry Council, the awards for the best businesses of 2021 were presented at a gala ceremony on the Sunshine Coast on Friday last week.

The bronze at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards for Searoad Ferries follows the business winning gold at the 2021 Victorian Tourism Awards in February.

Searoad Ferries chief Matt McDonald said winning the prestigious gong at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards was a credit to the entire team’s dedication to turning the ferry service into more than just a transport option.

“We are honoured to win this award and be recognised on a national scale, especially after such a challenging couple of years.

“We’ve worked hard to turn the journey across Port Phillip Bay into more than just a ferry trip.

“Thanks to the hard work and creativity of our entire team, Searoad Ferries is now a unique and unforgettable tourism experience in its own right.”

Searoad Ferries is a family-run business connecting visitors with the state’s best attractions, by providing an important sea link between the Mornington and Bellarine peninsulas.

Operating for more than 34 years and enjoyed by more than 950,000 passengers annually, Searoad Ferries is Australia’s busiest car and
passenger ferry.

To further enhance the experience, Searoad Ferries’ new $15.9 million dollar Queenscliff Ferry terminal is now under construction.

Opening in December, the world-class building will include safer access for pedestrians, high quality experiences and improved disability access.

Searoad Ferries was one of 11 Victorian businesses to win a gold, silver or bronze award across the 25 categories at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.

Victorian Tourism Industry Council CEO Felicia Mariani said it was incredibly heartening to see so many Victorian businesses and communities rewarded for their mammoth efforts to recover from COVID-19.

“Our industry has faced ongoing uncertainty since 2020, and for Victoria to have achieved such fantastic success against all odds is incredibly inspiring,” Ms Mariani said.

“We won a single gold award in the last QATAs – in 2021 we won five.

“We congratulate all our gold, silver, and bronze winners, but also, all of our Victorian finalists that made it to this level of competing on the
national stage.

“Thank you for continuing to rise to the challenge and create unforgettable moments for visitors as they explore our wonderful state. I can’t wait to see what we achieve in 2022.”