Tasmanian tour guide Cat Davidson, of Inala Nature Tours on Bruny Island, has been crowned Australia’s Top Tour Guide for 2025 at a Parliament House ceremony in Canberra.

Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania (TICT), Amy Hills, said the honour not only recognises Cat’s passion and talent, but also shines a light on the critical role tour guides play in shaping visitor experiences.

“Cat Davidson epitomises everything Tasmanian tourism stands for and we couldn’t be prouder,” Ms Hills said.

“This achievement is even more rewarding given Cat was the winner of the inaugural Tassie Tour Guide Award and has now gone to claim the national top prize.

“A professional and passionate guide can make the world of difference to a visitor’s experience, connecting them with culture, the environment, heritage and history. Cat is proof of this in the way she brings nature and science to life with humour, heart and deep local knowledge.”

Two Tasmanian towns were also recognised as part of Australia’s Top Tourism Town Awards, achieving silver medals in two categories: Deloraine (Small Town) and Devonport (Top Town).

“For Deloraine to achieve a national silver as a first-time entrant speaks volumes about the high-quality tourism experience it provides.

“Known as the ‘short walks capital’ of Tasmania, Deloraine blends heritage charm with wild beauty – from art-lined streets and river walks to nearby waterfalls, wildlife and farm-fresh produce.”

Devonport also reinforced its reputation as a vibrant visitor destination, backing up last year’s national success with a silver this year.

“While it’s known to many as the home of the Spirit of Tasmania, Devonport offers a lot more to its visitors – from its natural beauty and community spirit to its role as a gateway to some of Tasmania’s most iconic destinations.

“The spectacular north-west town of Stanley was also recognised as a finalist in the Tiny Town category, a tribute to its world-class culinary offerings and breathtaking coastal landscapes.

“These are just some of many towns from across Tasmania that represent everything unique and special about our way of life, and clearly they are among some of the best in the nation.”

Australia’s Top Tourism Town Awards and Top Tour Guide Awards programs were hosted by the Australia Tourism Industry Council (ATIC), the national peak body which provides leadership and representation through a national voice for tourism. The winning towns were determined by a national judging panel and incorporated a written submission, a curated itinerary, creative content, and consumer review scores for tourism products within each town.

Tassie’s Top Tourism Towns program is an initiative run by the TICT to give all Tasmanian towns an opportunity to showcase what makes their special part of Tassie an incredible visitor experience, with state winners progressing to national finalists.

Amy Hills - Chief Executive Officer, TICT