It’s official! East Coast Car Rentals has taken home Gold in the Tourism Retail, Hire and Services category at the 2026 Queensland Tourism Awards. And the good news doesn’t stop there – we’re now national finalists in the Australian Tourism Awards!
Held on Friday 6 November at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Queensland Tourism Awards celebrate the businesses and people helping make Queensland one of Australia’s favourite places to explore.
For us, this win is about more than taking home a shiny trophy. It’s about recognising the people and hard work that go into making every journey a great one.
We’re Not the Destination. We’re How You Get There.
Let’s be honest. When you’re planning a Queensland holiday, picking up a rental car probably isn’t the part you’re most excited about.
You’re thinking about beach days, hinterland escapes, incredible scenery and all the places you’ve been dreaming of visiting.
And that’s exactly how it should be.
Our job is to help you get there.
For many travellers, we’re one of the first friendly faces they see when they arrive in Queensland.
Whether it’s a warm welcome from one of our airport shuttle drivers or a helpful hand from our branch team, we want the start of your journey to be as easy and enjoyable as the adventure ahead.
Because while car rental might not be the most glamorous part of a holiday, we know it can make a big difference to the overall experience.
It’s All About the People
Behind every rental car is a team of people working hard to keep things running smoothly.
From our shuttle drivers and branch teams to our fleet, operations and support staff, there’s a whole lot happening behind the scenes to help get customers on the road.
And while our customers might only see a small part of that work, it all matters.
This Gold award is a fantastic recognition of the care, effort and commitment our team brings to the job every day.
It’s their achievement, and we’re incredibly proud of them.
Making Car Rental the Easy Part
We believe hiring a car should be straightforward.
No unnecessary complications. No making things harder than they need to be. Just friendly service, reliable vehicles and a team ready to help.
Whether you’re heading off on a weekend escape, visiting family or setting out on an unforgettable road trip, we’re here to help make getting there easy.
It’s what we work towards every day, and this recognition is a wonderful reminder of why it matters.
Next Stop: The Australian Tourism Awards!
And there’s even more reason to celebrate!
Our Gold win at the Queensland Tourism Awards means East Coast Car Rentals will now represent Queensland as a national finalist at the Australian Tourism Awards in 2027.
The Australian Tourism Awards bring together Gold winners from state and territory tourism awards programs across the country, recognising excellence in Australia’s tourism industry.
It’s an exciting opportunity to showcase the work of our team on a national stage, alongside some of the country’s leading tourism businesses.
We’re incredibly proud to have made it this far and look forward to what’s ahead.
Watch this space!
Proud to Be Part of Queensland Tourism
Queensland has no shortage of incredible places to visit.
From the beaches of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast to the tropical beauty of Cairns and the adventures waiting beyond the cities, there’s always somewhere worth exploring.
We’re proud to play a part in helping visitors discover it all.
The Queensland Industry Tourism Awards celebrate the many different businesses that make those experiences possible, and we’re honoured to be recognised alongside so many outstanding tourism operators.
A big congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the 2026 awards!
Thanks for Coming Along for the Ride!
To our incredible team, thank you for everything you do.
And to our customers, thank you for choosing East Coast Car Rentals and trusting us to be part of your travels.
We’re proud of this Gold win, excited about the national finals and even more excited about the journeys still to come.
Here’s to more open roads, great adventures and making car rental the easy part of your next trip.
Ready for Your Next Adventure?
Wherever the road takes you, we’re here to help you get there.