Pearl farms in the Kimberley provided the two major winners at the 2025 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards, held at Crown Perth on Saturday night.
The top accolade went to Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, located on the isolated Dampier Peninsula more than 200km north of Broome, for its commitment to authentic cultural tourism and outstanding visitor experiences in the Kimberley.
Judges highlighted that the winning guest experience at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm left visitors with a renewed sense of wonder and a meaningful connection to the Kimberley’s people, history and wild natural beauty.
Willie Creek Pearls chairman Robert Banfield was awarded the Sir David Brand Medal for Tourism for his long-standing leadership and contribution to the industry.
Banfield’s business is also based in Broome and operates tours, retail showrooms and a cafe, giving visitors a hands-on look at sustainable pearl farming and the making of world-class South Sea pearls.
As Australia’s oldest operating pearl farm, it also offers tours, accommodation and dining that immerses visitors in the Kimberley’s pearling history and Indigenous culture.
WA Museum Boola Bardip, Singlefile Wines and Pullman Bunker Bay Resort were inducted into the WA Tourism Hall of Fame at last Saturday’s event as recognition for three consecutive gold wins in their categories.
This year’s gold medallists will represent WA at the Australian Tourism Awards, which will be held in Fremantle next March.
During the gala dinner event at Crown Perth, Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall emphasised that the awards stand as the highest honour in WA’s tourism industry and commended the quality of competitors.
“All entrants in the 2025 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards have shown remarkable dedication to making WA a vibrant and inclusive destination for visitors. Tonight’s winners faced outstanding competition from across the industry and can proudly claim their place among the very best,” he said.
