The Crystal Caves Wins Gold at the Queensland Tourism Awards
We are thrilled to announce that The Crystal Caves has won Gold in the “Tourist Attraction” category at the Queensland Tourism Awards – an incredible achievement for our family-owned business in Atherton, Queensland
For a small, family-owned business in Atherton, this is a moment we’re genuinely proud of. Our team pours their heart into creating an experience that’s hands-on, educational, and a little bit magical. This award recognises the work happening behind the scenes to keep improving what we do.
What Makes a Gold Win So Significant?
The Queensland Tourism Awards aren’t based on popularity or votes. Each entry is a detailed, evidence-based submission that requires operators to demonstrate real outcomes across the entire visitor experience.
To be considered, we had to provide data and examples that show how we’ve grown and improved in areas like:
- visitor experience and satisfaction
- operational improvements
- marketing and digital capability
- accessibility and inclusive tourism
- sustainability
- industry involvement
- staff development
It’s a big undertaking — but it’s also an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come.
Our Standout Achievements This Year
A few key areas helped The Crystal Caves shine in the judging process:
Improving Accessibility Across the Experience
This year we completed significant upgrades as part of the ATIC Accessible Tourism Program. These included widening pathways inside our man-made caves, adding tactile indicators, updating signage, improving our guidebook with audio options, and bringing our website up to WCAG 2.0 standards. These changes help more visitors make informed decisions and enjoy the museum with confidence.
Strengthening Our Sustainability Efforts
Caring for the environment is a long-term commitment for us. In 2024–25 we:
- installed solar panels,
- reduced printed materials,
- introduced digital guidebooks,
- and began working with ecoBiz, run by Business Chamber Queensland, to better understand and reduce our footprint.
Delivering a High-Quality Visitor Experience
We were able to back up our visitor experience with strong data:
- a 4.6-star Google rating from 1,478 reviews
- thousands of comments praising our friendly staff and unique displays
- growing demand for our geode-cracking experience and self-guided cave tour
Acknowledging Our Industry Partners
This award also reflects the support we receive from Queensland’s tourism community. We’re grateful for the guidance, training, and professional development opportunities from:
- Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC)
- Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ)
- Business Chamber Queensland
- Tourism Atherton Tablelands (TAT)
From accessibility training to digital capability and sustainability initiatives, these programs have been invaluable in helping us grow.
Come Visit Our Gold-Winning Tourist Attraction
Whether you’re exploring the Atherton Tablelands for the first time or rediscovering an old favourite, we’d love to welcome you. Wander through our man-made caves, crack open your own geode, and take your time with hundreds of natural treasures from around the world.
Gold at the Queensland Tourism Awards is a huge honour, but the real joy is sharing this experience with our visitors every day.
Book your visit and uncover the sparkle for yourself.