The Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) is proud to announce winners of the annual Awards for Excellence, announced at a gala dinner at Rydges Sydney, Surry Hills on 25 November 2023.

The awards are the pinnacle of recognition for travel media professionals, with a rigorous judging process in place to ensure impartiality. This year, 640 entries were received across twenty categories, with the 55-strong judging panel including members of the British Guild of Travel Writers (BGTW) and the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), along with other experts based in Canada, New Zealand, the UK and Australia. 

The ASTW thanks the judges and the generous sponsors of award categories and congratulates all the finalists and winners. 

The winners are as follows:

ASTW TRAVEL WRITER OF THE YEAR - Sponsored by Virgin Australia  

Belinda Jackson – Off the beaten path     

• Visiting Saudi Arabia as a solo woman (Traveller) 
• Worlds apart, together (Traveller) 
• Lore of the jungle (Gourmet Traveller) 

BEST AUSTRALIAN STORY UNDER 1000 WORDS – Sponsored by Tourism Australia

Lynn Gail - Unknown utopia (Australian Traveller)

BEST AUSTRALIAN STORY OVER 1000 WORDS – Sponsored by Tourism Australia

Huw Kingston - Mountain high (The Weekend Australian Magazine)

BEST SUSTAINABLE TOURISM STORY – Sponsored by Norfolk Island Tourism

Kate Hennessy - Melting point (T Australia: The New York Times Style Magazine)

BEST FAMILY TRAVEL STORY – Sponsored by Club Med

Jessica Lockhart –Travels with Doris (A Gelato a Day: True Stories of Family Travel)

BEST FOOD / BEVERAGE TRAVEL STORY – Sponsored by Visit Sunshine Coast

Bonita Grima - Sweet temptation: The story of Istanbul's beloved brothel dessert (BBC Travel)

BEST INSTAGRAM TRAVEL PHOTO – Sponsored by ASTW

Rachelle Mackintosh – Flame thrower

BEST 2022 CONVENTION HOST STORY  – Sponsored by Tweed Tourism Co and Mavis Kitchen & Cabins

Tara Wells – There's a wave of middle-aged women learning to surf and I'm on it (Adventure.com)

BEST INTERNATIONAL STORY UNDER 1,000 WORDS – Sponsored by G Adventures 

Emily McAuliffe - Japan's answer to hawker stalls is a deliciously unique experience (Traveller)

BEST INTERNATIONAL STORY OVER 1,000 WORDS – Sponsored by Globus Family of Brands

Kate Hennessy - Melting point (T Australia: The New York Times Style Magazine)

BEST TRADE AND TOURISM NEWS STORY – Sponsored by TravMedia

Sue Williams - From Contiki to first class: How your generation likes to travel (Traveller)

BEST TRAVEL BLOG POST – Sponsored by ASTW

Aleney de Winter - How to spend 48 hours in Vienna with kids (BoyEatsWorld)

BEST NATURE / WILDLIFE STORY – Sponsored by Tourism Ireland

Kate Hennessy - Melting point (T Australia: The New York Times Style Magazine)

BEST IMMERSIVE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE STORY - Sponsored by Azamara

Catherine Best - So far, so good (Escape) 

BEST AUSSIE ROAD TRIP STORY – Sponsored by Outback Queensland Tourism Association

Briar Jensen - Captivating Kimberley (NRMA Open Road magazine)

BEST ACCOMMODATION STORY - Sponsored by the Lancemore Group

Belinda Jackson - Slow road to a blissful state (Canberra Times/Explore)

BEST TRAVEL PHOTO – Sponsored by Intrepid Travel

Kate Hennessy - Skjoldungen Sound (T Australia: New York Times Style Magazine)

BEST TRAVEL VIDEO – Sponsored by ASTW

Caro Ryan - The grand cliff top walk, Blue Mountains (Lostsafreshair)

BEST DESTINATION GUIDE – Sponsored by Samsonite

Nadine Cresswell-Myatt - 8 unique mail runs to experience around the world (TravelAwaits.com)

BEST CRUISE TRAVEL STORY – Sponsored by CLIA

Kate Hennessy - Melting point (T Australia: The New York Times Style Magazine)

For a full list of winners and finalists with links to their work, see 

https://www.astw.org.au/awards/awards/astw-awards-for-excellence-2023-results/

-ENDS –

About the ASTW: Founded in 1975 and incorporated in 2011, the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting ethical and honest travel writing and representation. The Society represents Australia's leading travel media and travel industry communicators who retain their membership through a substantiation process. 

The ASTW has 263 members who are freelancers and staff writers, travel editors, radio and television broadcasters, digital publishers, guidebook authors, photographers, videographers and public relations (PR), social media and marketing professionals. 

For media inquiries please contact: Silke Kerwick 0414 844 147