2018 Douglas Business and Tourism Awards finalists announced

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GALA: The Douglas Business and Tourism Awards are a glittering night of glamour in the Douglas Shire. Image: Clinton Barter.

The boffins and auditors have been busily crunching the numbers and are proud to announce the 2018 Douglas Business and Tourism Awards finalists.

This is the first year the awards voting system has been completely digital and organisers have said removing the analogue voting has been a great success.

“The Award organisers are committed to improving the ability for all businesses to participate,” awards auditor Mitch Williams from SIDCOR Accountants Port Douglas said.

Now in its 9th year, the Awards celebrate the collection of a staggering 7073 voting forms producing over 45,000 individual customer votes for businesses serving the Douglas Shire.

Since the awards’ inception, more than 450 businesses have received awards for excellence in their industries as voted by the public. 

Naming rights sponsor Newsport Managing Director Sam Cullen said the awards’ move to solely digital voting was great for Newsport and The Awards.

“Enabling tourists and locals direct access to easy digital voting forms has increased the number of votes and the amazing feedback local businesses receive via the Awards program,” he said.

“The program also benefited from a partnership with local website tourismportdouglas.com.au, which provided new and return visitors to the region access to voting forms over the last 10 months.”

This years’ awards will be themed with a ‘Splash of Pink’, inspired by the official Charity partner Kids in Need of Donations (KIND).

The awards will be presented on Friday, 30 November at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Port Douglas, the official venue sponsor for the awards.

Tickets for the awards night are available here and finalists are urged to book early to avoid disappointment due to limited seats. 

View the finalists in the 50 customer voted categories below.  

2018 Douglas Business & Tourism Awards Finalists

Listed in alphabetic order

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Presented by N17 Burger Co.

Best Regular Local Event (daily/weekly/monthly)
Cane Toad Races @ Iron Bar
Hospitality Night @ Chilly's
Live Music @ Court House
Live Music @ Paddys
Live Music Sundays @ Plantation Resort
Mossman Saturday Markets
Port Douglas Sunday Markets
Port Douglas Yacht Club - Wednesday Sailing
Sunday Session @ Hemingway's Brewery
Trivia Nights - K-Star

Favourite Local Sporting Group
Bodies in Motion (dancing)
Douglas Heat (basketball)
Douglas Netball Association (netball)
Douglas United Football Club (The Dragon)
Mossman & District Gymnastics Club (Gymnastics)
Mossman Golf Club (golf)
Mossman/Port Douglas Sharks (rugby)
Port Douglas Crocs (AFL)
Port Douglas Junior Crocs (AFL)
Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club (surf life saving)

Best Live Entertainment Venue
Barbados
Clink Theatre
Hemingway's Brewery
Iron Bar
Paddy's Irish Bar
Plantation Resort
The Central Hotel
The Court House Hotel
The Tin Shed
The Yacht Club

Best Annual Event (once a year)
Anzac Day Dawn Service
Bodies in Motion Annual End of Year Production
Douglas Business & Tourism Gala Awards
Melbourne Cup @Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort
Mighty Mossman Show
Port Douglas Carnivale
Port Shorts Film Festival
Porttoberfest
Seafood Extravaganza @ Hemingway's Brewery
Tropical Journeys Great Barrier Reef Marathon

Best Live Local Entertainer/s
Bobby Maguire
Bodies In Motion
DJ Bart
Drew boy
Hill Billy Goats
Lady Valiant
Miss Tee
Shannon Hunter
The Kroovs
Walker Brothers


WEDDINGS AND CORPORATE EVENTS
Presented by Exemplar Coaches and Limousines

Best Wedding / Commercial Photographer
Alison George - Catseye Productions
Ben Keating - Sass Photography
Blue Sky Photography
Jackie & Rob Cooke - Port Douglas Wedding Photography
Jessie Goetze - Port Douglas Wedding Photography
Lucas Teasdale
Matthew Evans Photography
Peppermint Lane
Perrin Clarke Photography
Sean Guest Photography

Best Wedding Planner (Company)
Dragonfly Weddings
Dynamic weddings
Event Core
Ocean Events
Port Douglas Catering
Port Douglas Weddings
Port Douglas Weddings & Hire
Roux blond
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas
The Vintage Hire Company

Best Wedding Co-ordinator (Individual)
Anne Marie - Cali Roux Blond
Aradhna Prasad - Port Douglas Catering & Events
Bec McLean - Dragonfly Weddings
Dean Bland - Port Douglas Catering & Events
Jade Harold - Port Douglas Weddings & Hire
Jen Cope - Ocean Weddings & Events
Kylie Gilbert - QT Port Douglas
Louise Harris - Dynamic Weddings
Sarah Woods - Sarah Woods Marriage Celebrant
Vicki Kurth - Port Douglas Weddings & Hire


PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Presented by Mossman Print

Best Qualified Practice (Company)
Bolt Burchill Tranter
Coral Sea Vet Care
LiveLife Pharmacy Port Douglas
Mossman Veterinary Surgery
Mountain View Medical
New Horizons Medical Centre
Port Douglas Acupuncture
Port Douglas Physiotheraphy
Port Village Medical Centre
Rob Palethorpe Solicitor
SiDCOR

Best Professional Service (Company)
Astute Financial Port Douglas
Australia Post
Body Corporate Services
Coral Sea Eyecare
Cosmetic Skin Therapies Port Douglas
Far North Training & Consultancy
Get A Life Accounting Solutions
Renegade Moss
Socialeyes Media



RETAIL
Presented by Raine & Horne Port Douglas and Mossman

Best Food Store
Coffee Works
Coles Supermarket Port Douglas
Cornett’s Supa IGA Port Douglas
Malone's Butchery
Mossman Butcher
OTZ Food
Port Douglas Sunday Markets
Seashells Seafood
Woolworths Supermarket Mossman
Yum Yums

Best Giftware Retailer
Bellissimo
Coffee Works
Floral Edge
Fun stuff by Lynda
Lemonade & Sparkles
Moonglow Jewellery Port Douglas
Portobella
Whileaway
Wildlife Habitat
With Sugar

Best Fashion Retailer
$22 Shop
Ahoy
Casa Mia
Cotton On
Lemonade & Sparkles
Rose & Boy
Tahitian Lime
Tommy Bahama
Witchery
With sugar

Best Overall Service
Bike Shop & Hire
Coffee Works
Coles Supermarket Port Douglas
Cornett’s Supa IGA Port Douglas
Floral Edge
Lemonade & Sparkles
Livelife Pharmacy Port Douglas
Whileaway
With sugar
Yum Yums


TRADES & SERVICES
Presented by Astute Financial

Best Trade Service (Company)
Alpha cool
Bellero's Electrical
BH Electrics
BME Electrical Services
Burmack Mossman
Chillydog Refrigeration
Craiglie Automotive
Geoff Ward Plumbing & Gas
Papillon Landscapes & Construction
Sy Dolphin Electrical

Best Tradesperson (Individual)
Brad Sims - BH Electrics
Brydie Maro - BME Electrical Services
Corey Frahn -  Ghost Gum Gardening
Geoff Ward -  Geoff Ward Plumbing & Gas
James Batten - Lighthouse Electrical Solutions
Jared Chamberlain - Papillon Landscapes & Construction
Kelly Burke - Top End Paint & Panel
Matthew Scoble - Last Frontier Electrical
Peter Murphy -  Papillon Landscapes & Construction
Sy Dolphin - Sy Dolphin Electrical

Best Trade Supplier - Products / Equipment (Company)
Alpha Cool
Dickinson Milk
Gecko Gardening Centre
Homescape
Mossman Hardware
Mossman Print
Port Douglas Hospitality Supplies
Port Douglas Pool Shop
Port Douglas Stationery Hub
Wholesale Glass Pool Fencing


REAL ESTATE
Presented by Crystelbrook Superyacht Marina

Best Rental Property Company (Company)
Century 21
LJ Hooker
Raine & Horne
Ray White

Best Rental Property Agent (Individual)
Anne Kennedy -  LJ Hooker Port Douglas
Jocelyn Schumacher -  Raine & Horne Port Douglas & Mossman
Josephine Silva - Century 21 Port Douglas
Lars Peterson - Ray White Port Douglas
Monica Cartwright - Ray White Port Douglas
Monica Stievano - Ray White Port Douglas
Nicki Samson -  LJ Hooker Port Douglas
Sam McLaughlin - Raine & Horne Port Douglas & Mossman
Shanae Hardy - Raine & Horne Port Douglas & Mossman
Suzie Scoines - Raine & Horne Port Douglas & Mossman

Best Real Estate (Company)
Century 21 Port Douglas
Colliers International
Cote Nord Property Port Douglas
LJ Hooker Port Douglas
Port Douglas Getaways
Queensland Sotheby's International Realty
Raine & Horne Port Douglas & Mossman
Ray White Port Douglas
The Pink Company Real Estate

Best Real Estate Sales Agent (Individual)
Callum Jones - The Pink Company Real Estate
Charlie Madgwick - Raine & Horne Port Douglas & Mossman
David Cotton - Raine & Horne Port Douglas & Mossman
Grant Law - The Pink Company Real Estate
Jenna Chamberlain - Ray White Port Douglas
Joel Cuman - Ray White Port Douglas
Matt Scott - LJ Hooker Port Douglas
Renae Mous - Raine & Horne Port Douglas & Mossman
Soula Kazakis - Century 21 Port Douglas
Travis Schumacher - Raine & Horne Port Douglas & Mossman


BEAUTY, HEALTH & FITNESS
Presented by GBR Helicopters

Best Beauty Salon (Company)
Divine Beauty Mossman
DS Hair & Makeup
Hair by Julia
Hairdressers Unite
Jen Campbell for Hair
Just Jase Hair
Lea Bella Hair
Meraki & Co
The Beauty Room
The Hair Shop

Best Beauty Therapist (Individual)
Carly Jack -  Carly Q Hair & Makeup
Carmel Santarossa - Port Douglas Hair & Makeup
Crystal McLennan - Hairdressers Unite
Danielle Scomazzon - DS Hair & Makeup
Jodi Gibson - U Beauty
Julia Styles - Hair by Julia
Micheala Sands - Meraki & Co
Nicole Matheson - Shantara Day Spa
Rachel Rebecca-Smith - The Beauty Room
Vicki Collinson - Divine Beauty Mossman

Best Spa Experience (Company)
Divine Beauty Mossman
Mai Thai
Ninn's Massage
Niramaya Spa
Port Douglas Day Spa
Pure Massage
Shantara Day Spa
Silky Oaks Spa
The Beauty Room
Vie Spa

Best Masseur / Masseuse (Individual)
Vicki Collinson -  Divine Beauty Mossman
Nicole Matheson - Shantara Day Spa
Luke Murray -  Samadhi Soul
Ninn - Ninn’s Massage
Jane Adams - 2 Healing Hands
Kelly Adair - Spa Q Port Douglas
Noy Greenhill -  Noy’s Thai Massage
Tania Leischke - Pure Massage & Beauty
Kelda Walker - Daintree Eco Lodge
Stacey Yakich - Port Douglas Day Spa

Best Health and Fitness Service (Gyms and Personal Trainers)
Bodies in a Motion Dance School
Deep Yoga Studio
Ed McNally
It's My Time Fitness for Women
Lou's Fitness
Mirage Country Club
Mossman Fitness Health Club
Port Douglas 24/7 Gym
Port Douglas Yoga
QT Gym & Lap Pool


ACCOMMODATION
Presented by PORT DOUGLAS magazine

Best Holiday Letting Agency (Company)
Belle Property
Executive Retreats
LJ Hooker Luxury Collection
Port Douglas Accommodation
Port Douglas Getaways
Sanctuary Stays
Sanctuary Villas
The Boutique Collection
Ulysses Getaways

Best Holiday Home or Private Villa (Individual Property)
Bali Hai
Beach Pavilions
Concha Marina Sands Estate
Jelly Bean
Pineapple Pete's Beach House
The Bahama House
23 Murphy Street
15 Wharf Street
7 Wharf Street
61 Murphy Street

Best Low Cost Accommodation
At The Mango Tree Holiday Apartments
Big4 Port Douglas Glengarry
Coral Beach Lodge
Demi View Motel Mossman
Dougies Backpacker
Lazy Lizard Motor Inn
Mossman Motel
Port Douglas Backpackers
Port Douglas Motel
Tropic Breeze Caravan Park

Best Luxury Accommodation
Coconut Grove
Mandalay
Niramaya Villas & Spa
Peppers Beach Club
Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort
QT Port Douglas
Shantara Resort
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas
Silky Oaks Lodge
Thala Beach Lodge

Best Apartment Accommodation (under 40 rooms)
Beaches Port Douglas
By The Sea
Cayman Villas Port Douglas
Coconut Grove
Mandalay Apartments
Mowbray by The Sea
Niramaya Villas & Spa
Oaks Lagoon
Peninsula Boutique Hotel
The Pavilions

Best Resort Accommodation (over 40 rooms)
Hibiscus Resort and Spa
Mantra Aqueous
Oaks Lagoons
Peppers Beach Club
Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort
QT Port Douglas
Ramada Resort
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas
Silky Oaks Lodge
Thala Beach Lodge


TOURISM SERVICES
Presented by Malone's Butchery

Best Visitor Information Service
By The Sea
Coral Beach Lodge
Dougies Backpackers
Port Douglas Tourist Information Centre
Fab FM Port Douglas
Reef Adventure Centre
Tourism Port Douglas Daintree (TPDD)
Tropical Journeys
What's On In Port
Wildlife Habitat

Best Transport - Airport Transfer Operator
Eclipse
Excellence Coaches
Exemplar Coaches & Limousines
GBR Helicopters
Hummers & Harley's
Krystal Transport
Port Douglas Transfers
Sizzling Wheels
SR Transport
Sun Palm Transport

Best Transport - Local Transfer Operator
Adrenalin
BTS
Coral Coaches
Excellence
Mossman Taxi Service
Port Douglas Taxis
Port to Port Tours and Transfers
Sizzling Wheels
SR Transport
Sunpalm

Best Transport - Hire Service (inc Car, Bike, Moped, Boat)
Avis
Bike Shop & Hire Port Douglas
Budget
East Coast Car Rentals
Hertz
Leisure Wheels
Port Douglas Boat Hire
Port Douglas Car Hire
Thrifty

TOURISM PRODUCTS AND OPERATORS
Presented by Hemingway’s Brewery

Best Fishing Business
Aquis Fishing Charters
Dragon Lady
Far North Sports Fishing
Hook Up Charters
Hook-A-Barra
MV Norseman
Nautical Marine Sales
Out and About Sportfishing
Port Douglas Sportfishing
Zulu Gamefishing Charters

Best Sailing Tour
Aquarius Luxury Sailing
Indigo Port Douglas
Liquid Desire
Sailaway
Shaolin
Wavedancer Low Isles Cruises

Best Rainforest/River Tour
Back Country Bliss Adventures
Billy Tea Safari's
Brett's Tours
Bruce Belcher Daintree River Cruises
Daintree Discovery Tours
Daintree Wonder Tours
Dreamtime Walk at Mossman Gorge
Lady Douglas River Cruise
Tony's Tropical Tours
Walkabout Cultural Adventures

Best Reef Tour
ABC Dive & Snorkel
Calypso Reef Charters
Ocean Safari Reef Experience
Poseidon Outer Reef Cruises
Quicksilver Cruises
Reef Sprinter
Sailaway
Silver Sonic
Wavedancer Low Isles Cruises
Wavelength Reef Cruises

Best Tour Guide
Dean Nulty -  Daintree Wonder Tours
Glen Morrissey - Back Country Bliss Adventures
Jason Heffernan - Back Country Bliss Adventures
Juan Walker - Walkabout Cultural Adventures
Mark Jenner - Back Country Bliss Adventures
Rich Morgan - Tony’s Tropical Tours
Rob Moss - Tony’s Tropical Tours
Steve Ladd - Tony’s Tropical Tours
Wayne Johnson - Back Country Bliss Adventures
Will Hancock - Back Country Bliss Adventures

Best Tourist Attraction (Commercial Venue)
Bally Hooley
Daintree Ice Cream Company
Flames Of The Forest
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures
Hemmingway's Brewery Tours
Hook-A-Barra
Jungle Surfing
Mossman Gorge
Skyrail and Scenic Railway
Wildlife Habitat


RESTAURANTS AND FOOD
Presented by Star 102.7

Best Takeaway
Beach Shack Restaurant
Beechwoods Cafe
Capannina
Chilly's Pizza
Dave's Takeaway
Grant Street Kitchen
Lotus Leaf
N17 Burger Co
Port 'O Call Takeaway
Zipangu

Best Breakfast
Beechwoods Café
Bettys Bohemian Café
Cafe Fresq
Choo Choo's @ St Crispin's
Choo Choo's @ The Marina
Grant Street Kitchen
Hi Tide Café - Bar - Restaurant
Monkey Joe's
N17 Burger Co
The Little Larder

Best Coffee
Beechwoods Café
Cafe Fresq
Cafe Ziva
Choo Choo's @ St Crispin's
Dougies Backpackers
Little Larder
N17 Burger Co
Origin Espresso - Port Douglas
Sparrow Coffee Port Douglas
Whileaway Bookshop & Café

Best Bar / Pub
Barbados
Central Hotel
Court House Hotel
Hemingway's Brewery
Iron Bar
Jimmy Rum's
Paddy's Irish Pub & Grill
Rattle N Hum
The Tin Shed - Combined Club
Zinc Port Douglas

Best Wait / Bar Service (Individual)
Alec Thomson - Jimmy Rums
Andrea Zanelli - Zinc Port Douglas
Dan Rolf - Arabella’s Port Douglas
Kurt Freitas -  Arabella’s Port Douglas
Luke Headland - Little Larder
Madeline Diebolt - Barbados
Roxanne Camhaji - Arabella’s Port Douglas
Simon Macleod - N17 Burger Co
Steph Ager - Estilo Bar QT Port Douglas
Tyler Willhite -  Zinc Port Douglas

Best Family Restaurant
Beechwoods Café
Chilly's Pizza
Choo Choo's @ St Crispin's
N17 Burger Co
Rattle N Hum Bar & Grill
Salsa Bar & Grill
The Mexican
The Surfy Port Douglas
The Tin Shed
Zinc Port Douglas

Best Restaurant
2 Fish Restaurant
Arabella’s Port Douglas
N17 Burger Co
Nautilus Restaurant
On The Inlet Seafood Restaurant
Salsa Bar & Grill
Seabean Tapas Bar Restaurant
The Mexican
Watergate Restaurant & Lounge Bar
Zinc Restaurant & Lounge Bar

 

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