A Top End restaurant and a heritage site in a rainforest are two of the winners in the Ecotourism Australia Annual GECKO Awards announced today at the Global ECO Asia Pacific Conference in Sydney today.

The 2011 GECKO Award winners are:

·         Paronella Park in Tropical North Queensland is the winner of the Ecotourism Award which is sponsored by Tourism NT.  

·         Saffrron Restaurant in Darwin is the winner of the Climate Action Award sponsored by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

·         Mike Keighley EcoGuide Award of Excellence.

“Ecotourism Australia is proud to have these businesses recognised as winners in the GECKO Awards this year,” said Ross Dowling, Chair of the Judging Panel and Deputy Chair of Ecotourism Australia.  “They are outstanding examples of excellence in sustainable tourism.”

Paronella Park was built in the 1920s by ecotourism pioneer, José Paronella and was one of Queensland's earliest tourist destinations, opening to the public in 1935. Mark and Judy Evans purchased the long forgotten property in 1993 and through dedication, hard work and by adhering to the principles of ecotourism, Paronella Park has developed into one of Queensland's premier tourist destinations.

Saffrron is an award-winning restaurant in Parap, Darwin, owned by Joanna and (Chef) SelvamKandasamy. Saffrron is a taste of Top End local produce and lifestyle, an authentic taste of India, and a delicious, hands-on eco-tourism experience.

Mike Keighley started guiding in Katherine seventeen years ago. His focus is on Wildlife, Ecosystems and Aboriginal culture.  He takes half day to week long camping and accommodated tours including Aboriginal lands and people, four wheel drive transport, kayaks and bushwalking in Kimberley, Kakadu, Katherine and Arnhemland regions.