BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort is celebrating another golden achievement, taking home Gold in the Caravan and Holiday Parks category at the 2026 Whitsunday Tourism Awards, held on Saturday evening at Elementa Whitsundays.
The prestigious award recognises the resort’s ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional holiday experiences, quality facilities and outstanding guest service, while continuing to invest in the future of tourism in the Whitsundays.
Members of the resort team attended the gala celebration, proudly accepting the award on behalf of the family-owned and operated business.
With more than 60 tourism awards to its name and Hall of Fame status at the Whitsunday, Queensland and Australian Tourism Awards, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort has long been recognised as one of the region’s leading family holiday destinations.
CEO Phil Casey said the Gold award was a wonderful acknowledgement of the passion, dedication and hard work of the entire resort team.
“This award is something our whole team can be incredibly proud of. Every day, our staff go above and beyond to create memorable holiday experiences for our guests and it is wonderful to see their commitment and enthusiasm recognised at this level. On behalf of the McKinnon family and our entire team, I would like to sincerely thank everyone who contributes to making BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort such a special place. We are fortunate to have an exceptional group of people who genuinely love what they do and this award belongs to all of them.
“I would also like to congratulate all the finalists and winners across the various categories. The Whitsundays is home to so many outstanding tourism businesses and it is a privilege to be part of such a passionate and innovative industry.
“Our thanks also go to Tourism Whitsundays and event sponsors Bishopp for delivering another fantastic evening celebrating our region’s tourism industry and to Elementa Whitsundays for providing such a spectacular venue.”
The Gold win comes during an especially exciting year for BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, with the McKinnon family embarking on a landmark $15 million expansion project that will further enhance the resort’s appeal as a leading family holiday destination.
Now underway, the development will introduce an impressive new waterslide tower featuring four spectacular slides, an expansive lagoon-style swimming pool with swim-up bar, a new café and dining precinct, a state-of-the-art outdoor cinema and ten new three-bedroom cabins.
The significant investment represents another exciting chapter for the McKinnon family, who have owned and operated the resort for more than 30 years, continually reinvesting in facilities, experiences and infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of holidaymakers.
Alongside the major development, 2026 has already seen a number of exciting additions to the resort’s extensive range of activities and facilities. Among the highlights is the introduction of the Froggy Express, a colourful new trackless train that takes guests on a fun-filled journey around the resort. Featuring four passenger carriages, including a wheelchair-accessible carriage, the Froggy Express has quickly become a favourite with families and guests of all ages.
The resort has also introduced pickleball, together with new shaded jumping pillows, play equipment and a refreshed activities area, all part of the resort’s ongoing improvements and preparations for the exciting development ahead.
These additions complement an already impressive range of facilities, including the resort’s 32-metre heated swimming pool, 13-slide waterslide park, 18-hole mini golf course, outdoor cinema, Animal Park, kids’ activities program and dedicated sensory room.
The resort remains fully operational throughout the development, with existing facilities and activities available for guests to enjoy and construction areas closed off and carefully managed to minimise disruption.
With the major expansion now underway and a growing collection of new experiences for guests to enjoy, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort is looking ahead to an exciting future while continuing to deliver the award-winning hospitality for which it has become renowned.