Indigenous-owned Cape York Peninsula Lodge wins gold at Qantas Australian Tourism Awards

Giovanni Torre Published March 19, 2023 at 6.30pm (AWST)

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CYPL Indigenous-led tour to Pajinka - Cape York. Photo credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Indigenous-owned Cape York Peninsula Lodge has added a new accolade to its list of titles, winning Gold in the 4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation category at the 2022 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, held in Sydney on Friday.

Cape York Peninsula Lodge is in the township of Bamaga in Far North Queensland's Northern Peninsula Area and close to Pajinka, the northern-most point of mainland Australia.

The Lodge is operated by Bamaga Enterprises Limited (BEL), a First Nations, community-owned organisation that reinvests its profits into scholarships, sponsorships, and community infrastructure. BEL and the Lodge combined experienced 20 per cent growth in employment with 63 per cent Indigenous employment in financial year 2021/22.

Cape York Peninsula Lodge was selected as a finalist for the Australian Tourism Awards following its multiple-award win at the 2022 Queensland Tourism Awards in November 2022, winning Gold in the 4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation category, and Silver in conjunction with BEL in the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism category.

Cape York Peninsula Lodge Manager Harrison Mylrea and BEL Director (Company Secretary) Mark Lewis attended the Qantas Awards held at Sydney's Dolton House on Darling Island.

2022 Qantas Australian Tourism Aawards. Left: Harrison Mylrea, middle Sophie Falkiner, right Mark Lewis.

BEL chairperson Robert Poipoi said the new accolade for the Lodge recognised its "outstanding hospitality and the unique cultural experiences" it offered guests travelling to "one of the world's most extraordinary destinations".

"We are fortunate to be located in a special part of Australia where both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures live side by side," Mr Poipoi said.

"Our guests can experience an interactive cultural performance illustrating the story of how we came to the NPA, our history, languages, musical instruments and dances through local groups such as the award-winning Naygayiw Gigi."

In 2022, the Lodge added Indigenous-guided tours to its array of experiences on offer.

"Our tours to Pajinka and Fruit Bat Falls to the south offer guests a rare opportunity to learn even more about the region as they journey through the natural wonders of Cape York and the NPA with an Indigenous guide," Mr Poipoi said.

Guests can also enjoy traditional Torres Strait Islander dishes alongside modern Pacific-rim cuisine at the on-site Paperbark Restaurant.

In 2022, BEL invested in and opened two significant tourism developments. These included a new 18-seater bus with 4X4 conversion, enabling Indigenous-owned and operated cultural tours to explore the NPA, and 15 motel-style units, providing much-needed mid-range accommodation to the region. Cape York Peninsula Lodge also upgraded its five onsite cabins to include ensuites and a kitchenette.

Amid COVID-related disruptions and restrictions, the Lodge still managed a record-breaking year in 2021/22 with a 92 per cent increase in visitors and a 54 per cent rise in group bookings.