The local tour operator announced on Saturday, November 29 that it had taken home the gold award for ‘Tourist and Transport Operators’, and was inducted into the hall of fame for the ‘Adventure Tourism’ and ‘Tourism Retail, Hire and Services’ categories at the Victorian Tourism Awards.
“The team is absolutely elated. Winning seven awards over the past three years is absolutely amazing, and to win three in one year is unheard of for any business, so it’s truly a rare honour for our business,” owner and manager Lee Rowland said.
“Also becoming a two-time inductee into the Victorian Tourism Hall of Fame is a defining milestone — a moment that recognises Go Adventure Nagambie’s sustained commitment to safety, customer experience, innovation and regional tourism leadership.
“For a small, hands-on team, it validates every early morning on the water, every operational improvement and every customer smile. It’s pride mixed with deep gratitude.”
This commendation comes after the group was awarded gold twice at the 2023 Victorian Tourism Awards — along with bronze and highly commended — and two golds at the 2024 awards.
Not only does this recognition benefit the business, it also has an impact on the broader community.
“For Go Adventure Nagambie, it reinforces the business as a benchmark operator in Victorian tourism, it signals that a regional, family-owned business can deliver experiences matching and exceeding metropolitan and large-scale operators,” Mr Rowland said.
“For Nagambie and the broader Goulburn tourism region, it shines a spotlight on the region as a premium outdoor and nature-based destination, it boosts local pride and reinforces the value of tourism as an economic and cultural driver, and it encourages visitors, particularly those from Melbourne and interstate, to explore beyond well-known experiences, discovering the depth of adventure and hospitality Nagambie and the broader region have.
“This isn’t just a win for Go Adventure Nagambie, it’s a win for the whole town and region.”
Now, the tour operator is set to use the momentum of its successes to propel into the new year; first, using the high of its win to bring all the energy to the busy summer season, and later, to snag a win on a national stage.
“Looking ahead, we’re incredibly proud to be representing Victoria at the Australian Tourism Awards in Fremantle this March across three categories,” Mr Rowland said.
“It’s an honour to stand on a national stage once again, and we’re hopeful we can build on our bronze and silver achievements from 2023 and 2024.
“Beyond the awards, we’re energised by the possibilities that 2026 and beyond will bring ... The hall of fame recognition gives us confidence and momentum to keep pushing forward, innovating and elevating what adventure tourism can look like in our region.”
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