Great Southern tourism shines as five local businesses named finalists in prestigious 2026 WA Tourism Awards

Five Great Southern operators are in the running for State honours in this year’s Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards.

Albany Tours, Albany’s Historic Whaling Station, BIG4 Middleton Beach Holiday Park, Whale Watch WA and Heyscape are among this year’s finalists.

Whale Watch WA operates out of Albany, Bremer Bay, Augusta and Perth, and Heyscape has several accommodation properties in Denmark as well as Perth and in the South West.

Now in its 54th year, the awards recognise tourism businesses for their commitment to excellence, innovation and outstanding visitor experiences.

For Albany’s Historic Whaling Station, the nomination follows a successful 2025 awards season, when it claimed gold in both the tourist attraction and cultural tourism categories.

Albany’s Historic Whaling Station chief executive Jen Bane said having so many local operators recognised was an achievement the entire region could celebrate.

“We’re incredibly proud to stand alongside other Albany and Great Southern businesses in this year’s awards,” she said.

“There is so much passion, innovation and commitment across our region.

“We all want visitors to discover Albany, stay longer and experience more of what makes the Great Southern special.

“It’s wonderful to see our local operators recognised together.”

The categories and the winners of those categories will be announced at a gala dinner at Crown Perth on November 26.

Gold medal winners in all categories will go on to represent WA at the Australian Tourism Awards in February.