Australia Zoo, the Sunshine Coast attraction founded by Australian icon Steve Irwin has won the major tourism attraction award in the Queensland Tourism Awards 2007.

Warner Village Theme Parks CEO John Menzies was also honoured, with the Marie Watson-Blake Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual.

Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said: "Australia Zoo has become an iconic attraction that has always looked to the future by incorporating new attractions. I warmly congratulate Terri Irwin and her team. It’s a popular winner and an inspiration to everyone in the industry.”

She added that John Menzies was an excellent choice for the outstanding individual award.

"John has truly worked his way up the ranks from his early days as a performance water skier to building up Seaworld to a world-class attraction, working with Keith Williams on developing Hamilton Island and overseeing the inception of Warner Brothers Movieworld. He has made an amazing contribution to the Queensland tourism industry."

Other winners included The Workshops Rail Museum (Heritage & Cultural Tourism Award); Torres Strait Regional Authority, Gab Titui Cultural Centre (Indigenous Tourism Award); James Cook University (Tourism Education & Training Award) and Daintree Discovery Centre (The Steve Irwin Ecotourism Award).

More than 200 entries were received for the 26 categories and all winners will progress to the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards which will be held in Canberra on 29 February 2008.