Here are the finalists and winners in the 2025 ASTW Awards for Excellence. Finalists are listed in alphabetical order.

 

1. Travel Writer of the Year - Sponsored by Virgin Australia

Kate Hennessy

• Greenland tourism to grow as Donald Trump makes 'aggressive' bid for control for The Australia
• This restaurant is one of the world's best (and one of the weirdest) for Australian Financial Review
• Mountain Bounty for T Australia: New York Times Style Magazine

Belinda Jackson - WINNER

• Why this hidden oasis is the coolest luxury destination right now for Traveller
• Moor Please: Food, flamenco and fino on a twirl by train through Andalusia for Traveller
• Heaven Scent for Dream by Luxury Escapes

Justin Meneguzzi

• A place where water is more valuable than diamonds for Traveller
• The moment a grizzly stopped hunting fish ... and noticed me for Traveller
• Take a mangrove foraging tour with Broome's Aboriginal custodians for National Geographic

 

2. Travel Photographer of the Year - Sponsored by ASTW

• Lynn Gail
• Rachelle Mackintosh
• Jocelyn Pride - WINNER

  3. Travel Broadcaster of the Year - Sponsored by ASTW

• Sarah Maree Cameron
• Susan Elliot - WINNER
• Caro Ryan

 

4. Travel Communicator of the Year - Sponsored by TravMedia

• Rebecca Astier | The EVE of Something Wunderful
• Jacinta Bonus | Queensland is Bluey's World, for Real Life - WINNER
• Kylee Kay | More Than a Bite of the Big Apple: Growing Awareness of New York State

 

5. Best Accommodation Story - Sponsored by Salter Brothers Hospitality

• Bonita Grima | Wild Luxury for International Traveller
• Justin Meneguzzi | Reconnect with nature from the comfort of a luxury bubble for Escape - WINNER
• Lee Mylne | Fruits of the forest for T: The New York Times Style Magazine Australia

 

6. Best Australian Travel Story Under 1000 Words - Sponsored by ASTW

• Catherine Best | Dazzling dalliance in the deep for Explore
• Catherine Best |Under our shimmering skies for Escape
• Kellie Floyd | Beyond the red earth: Why Arkaroola is the ultimate Aussie outback escape for Explore - WINNER
• Craig Tansley | The surprising thing about Australia's famous outback homestead stay for Traveller
• Kerry van der Jagt | This plane wreck in a remote part of WA is like a scene from Lost for Traveller

 

7. Best Australian Story Over 1000 Words - Sponsored by Intrepid Travel

• John Borthwick | Remote Possibilities for Weekend Australian
• Jessica Korteman | Australia's 'sorry rocks' lead to reckoning and reconnection for Lonely Planet - WINNER
• Justin Meneguzzi | This rare pine tree is a living relic of Tasmania's primordial past for National Geographic

 

8. Best Adventure Travel Story - Sponsored by World Expeditions

• Carolyn Beasley | How to tackle this seven-day Tasmanian hike the “easy” way for Travel + Leisure Asia
• Kirstie Bedford | Pedalling for pasta: a week of cycling around southern Sardinia for Australian Geographic Adventure
• Anabel Dean | Fiesty Fiordland for Explore - WINNER

 

9. Best Story About the Convention Host Destination – Sponsored by Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association

• Susie Boswell | Australia's Hunter Valley wine region is pivoting for its 200th birthday for The AU Review
• Caroline Gladstone | Liquid Gold for The Weekend Australian - WINNER
• Susan Skelly | Girl power in the grapevines for Excess All Areas

 

10. Best Cruise Travel Story - Sponsored by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)

• Rachelle Macintosh | The Big Thrill for Qantas Magazine
• Kerry van der Jagt | Every day is a surprise in this remote part of Australia for Traveller
• Sue Wallace | A Love Letter to Egypt for Signature Luxury Travel & Style - WINNER

 

11. Best Culinary Travel Story - Sponsored by ASTW

• Kate Hennessy | This restaurant is one of the world's best (and one of the weirdest) for Australian Financial Review - WINNER
• Belinda Jackson | The Spice Route for Traveller
• Justin Meneguzzi | Take a mangrove foraging tour with Broome's Aboriginal custodians for National Geographic

 

12. Best Family Travel Story - Sponsored by Celestyal

• Lindy Alexander | Class is in on the Scenic Rim for Escape - WINNER
• Catherine Best | Rock of all ages for Caravan and Camping with Kids
• Aleney de Winter | Seoul to Soul for Holidays with Kids

 

13. Best International Story Under 1000 Words - sponsored by Walk Japan

• Catherine Best | Nature's marine theme park for Escape
• Catherine Best | Night fever for Escape
• John Borthwick | Thailand Treasures without the hype for The West Australian - WINNER

 

14. Best International Story Over 1000 Words - Sponsored by G Adventures

• Anabel Dean | Lord of the Fiords for Explore Magazine - WINNER
• Justin Meneguzzi | A place where water is more valuable than diamonds for Traveller
• Craig Tansley | A piece of paradise locals kept to themselves, until now for Traveller

 

15. Best Sustainable Tourism Story - Sponsored by ASTW

• Ivy Carruth | The 'imperfect' form of travel opening new doors for intrepid explorers for Stuff NZ - WINNER
• Sarah Reid | 'Hope tourism' in Japan: What does post-earthquake recovery look like on Honshu's Noto Peninsula? For Adventure.com
• Craig Tansley | A piece of paradise locals kept to themselves, until now for Traveller

 

16. Best Travel Compilation - Sponsored by CF Mekong by CroisiEurope

• Kate Armstrong | Nine highlights of Washington DC most visitors miss for Traveller - WINNER
• Aleney de Winter | 18 unique things to do in South Korea with kids for Holidays with Kids
• Penny Watson | Ten beautiful parts of Bali you won't find crowds (or bogans) for Traveller

 

17. Best Travel Instagram Post - Sponsored by ASTW

• Lisa Burns | Natural Wonders of the Atacama Desert
• Lynn Gail | Mirrors of Dance
• Rachelle Mackintosh | Displaced - WINNER

 

18. Best Travel News Story - Sponsored by ASTW

• Chris Chamberlin | Emirates Business Class transitions from middle seat to private suite for Point Hacks
• Kate Hennessy | Greenland's first international airport opens in Nuuk for The Australian - WINNER
• Christine Retschlag | It's the world's largest reef designed to battle coral bleaching: A year on, how is Fiji's BULA Reef doing? for Adventure.com

 

19. Best Travel Photo - Sponsored by ASTW

• Lynn Gail | Before the dance, sold by Alamy - WINNER
• Lynn Gail | Curtain call for Explore
• Jocelyn Pride | Denali magic for Cruise & Travel

 

20. Best Travel Video - Sponsored by Bunnik Tours

• Lisa Burns | Defining Travel Photography
• Jeremy Drake | Checking In to the New StandardX Melbourne - WINNER
• Jessica Lockhart | Australia's Red Centre

 

21. Best Travel Website Post - Sponsored by Travel Kon

• Lisa Burns | Illimanaq Lodge – Greenland's Seaside Retreat on The Wandering Lens - WINNER
• Aleney de Winter | The creative reinvention of Buffalo New York on Boy Eats World
• Aleney de Winter | Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum – The greatest gallery you've never heard of on Boy Eats World