A Sunshine Coast hinterland bed and breakfast is in the running for a national tourism award next month.
The Country House at Hunchy is a finalist in the Hosted Accommodation category of the Australian Tourism Awards, which will be held in Adelaide on March 21.
It progressed to the national finals after winning gold in its category in the Queensland Tourism Awards last November.
The Hosted Accommodation category recognises places that offer a bed and breakfast, farm stay, cottage or other intimate accommodation experience and meet a three-and-a-half-star rating standard.
Tourism Minister and Member for Glass House Andrew Powell commended Country House operators Steve and Terri Koepenick and Terri’s mother Teresa Hopton on their achievements so far.
“Steve, Terri and Teresa have created a stand-out five-star award-winning bed and breakfast,” Mr Powell said.
“Their outstanding contribution underscores Montville and Maleny topping the list of Australia’s Most Welcoming Cities in the 13th annual Traveller Review Awards.
‘I am proud to see Queensland hospitality being recognised at a national level, showcasing unique holiday experiences in the hinterland.”
The Koepnicks and Ms Hopton came to Australia from California after retiring from robotics technology and medical fields in September 2023, and made improvements to the modern Queenslander homestead.
“We moved here because we love Australia and especially the people – there is nowhere else like it,” Mr Koepenick said upon accepting the state award.
Montville Village Association president Wayne Parcell praised the trio for their contribution to the local economy and their commitment as active volunteers in the annual Rangebow Festival and other regular community activities across the Range.
“The future of our village rests with great people like Steve, Terri and Teresa who truly understand service quality, delivering social and economic benefits and thoroughly embraced by the local community – a potently successful mix of business and community,” he said.
Montville Misty View Cottages took out a silver award in the Hosted Accommodation category of the Queensland awards, bolstering the Range’s reputation as a preferred destination for relaxing getaways.
Other Sunshine Coast and Noosa businesses that won Queensland Tourism Awards in 2024 were On the Beach Noosa, which won a bronze for Self-Contained Accommodation, and Maleny Botanic Gardens and Birdworld, which won silver in Excellence in Accessible Tourism.
The Mary Valley Rattler, based at Gympie, won gold for Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or Volunteer Group.
