Cape York Motorcycle Adventures director Renae Kunda celebrates a Queensland Training Awards trifecta with daughter Emmy. Photo: Supplied.
Two Cape York businesses have starred at the 40th annual Queensland Tourism Awards in Brisbane earlier this month.
Pioneering off-road motorcycle tour operator Cape York Motorcycle Adventures completed its award trifecta when presented with gold in the Adventure Tourism category on 14 November.
Director Renae Kunda said the top prize had been a huge goal since winning bronze in 2023 and silver in 2024 at the state awards.
“It’s kind of indescribable; I was in shock, I hadn’t even planned to be there on the night,” she said.
“I’m just over the moon. It’s a really big thing for the motorcycle industry to be recognised in the tourism industry, so that’s what makes it so much better.”
The win puts the adventure tour provider in the running for the Australian Tourism Awards in March 2026.
Ms Kunda said since the business was established in 1990, improvement through close customer connections had been a key priority.
“We’ve been operating for 35 years, so every single thing we do, we try to improve every year,” she said.
“It’s not like other tours where it’s one day or a half day; we’re with our clients for six days, 24 hours a day, so you really get to know someone well in that time, and it does build such a bond.
“The beauty of our adventure is that fear of mortality makes you forget about everything else, which makes them [riders] more heartfelt in the tour they’re doing. You’re riding your own ride, things happen out there, and you can’t be focused on the dramas at home.”
Punsand Bay Cape York Camping also caught the attention of judges, who added an extra award to celebrate the business on the night.
The Northern Peninsula Area accommodation site received a highly commended in the Caravan and Holiday Park category, putting the top end of Australia on the map alongside some of the state’s biggest holiday destinations.
“We’re pretty grateful we have been recognised alongside some of the huge parks that have incredible resources, and a lot more funding and access to stuff,” general manager Kahlia Colquhoun said.
“They did say when they started the award announcement it was a really hard year this year and why they decided to give out a highly commended award, which they don’t normally do.”
Ms Colquhoun said the award process was a great way to look back on the team’s achievements since she and husband Jack took over the campgrounds in 2013.
“Especially being family-owned and operated, it makes you take a moment to appreciate all the hard work and effort that goes into creating a paradise we offer to thousands of visitors each year,” she said.
“Jack and I were sitting on the plane home, just talking about how many things we’ve ticked off the list in the last 12 months and over the last 12 years. We’re proud to be a part of the Cape York community.
“It’s important for our family to keep the heart of what our business has been for the last 12 years, and continue to grow, but not change it so much that it’s unrecognisable.”
After a particularly difficult year due to the Jardine River ferry breakdown that kept customers out of many businesses relying on dry season travellers, she said the recognition was especially meaningful.
“We work really hard during our dry season, we’ve only got six months to make any money, and we had five weeks of forced closure at the start of this season,” Ms Colquhoun said.
“At the end of this season, we tried to push hard, and it gives you that encouragement to go, `you know what, we are on the right track, we’re doing some incredible things, we’re being noticed’, and it gets you excited for the following year.”
Jack and Kahlia Colquhoun look back on their achievements after a challenging but satisfying year at Punsand Bay Cape York Camping. Photo: Supplied.
