Love in the hills: Hinterland steals the spotlight with bridal awards coup

by Cameron Outridge

In a major boost for the Sunshine Coast hinterland’s wedding and tourism industries, the prestigious Australian Bridal Industry Awards (ABIA) will be held in the region in 2025. The announcement, made at the Hinterland Tourism Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, October 9, marks the first time the event will be hosted outside an Australian capital city, underscoring the strength of the local wedding industry.

Recognised as the largest event of its kind in the Australian wedding sector, the awards will take place at Flaxton Gardens and coincide with HTs annual Winter Wedding Festival. The event is expected to draw 150 top wedding vendors, reinforcing the hinterland’s growing reputation as a premium destination.

Hinterland Tourism President Kerry Brown, whose efforts played a pivotal role in promoting the region as a wedding hub, said she was thrilled by the announcement.

“This is the first time they have ever been held in a regional area,” she said. “Wow! Exciting days ahead and we have the most amazing Executive Committee. I’m blessed to be part of this industry.”

The Sunshine Coast hinterland has steadily earned a reputation as one of Australia’s most idyllic wedding destinations, thanks in large part to the efforts of the Hinterland Tourism team over the past decade. 

Ms Brown said the annual Winter Wedding Festival, local boutique accommodation, and picturesque venues have contributed significantly to the region’s growth as a favourite for couples planning their big day. She said the ABIA event is expected to bring a direct boost to the hinterland’s tourism, hospitality, and services sectors, with flow-on economic benefits for the entire community.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said Council was committed to supporting the wedding industry, which it saw as a key economic contributor  to the region. “There was so much passion for tourism in the room,” she said.  “The hinterland offers a world-class experience with unique accommodation, cafes, restaurants, and local businesses,” she said.

Hinterland Tourism Secretary Marlene Murray emphasised the far-reaching impact of the wedding industry on the local community.

“We always knew it was not just weddings and that it was so much more for our towns, our accommodation, employment opportunities, youth employment for our kids and all the mum and dad operators who make a living from weddings,” Ms Murray said. “I don’t mind being called ‘those wedding people’ because we had the ability to see it was always so much more and that it came from the heart.”

Member for Glass House, Andrew Powell congratulated Ms Brown and her team on “another stellar year.”  “What a coup! The first time ever outside of a capital city,” he said.

Kerry Brown, in red top, celebrates with her committee at the AGM. 

Stuart Whitney, Kristy Aitken, Matt Stoeckel and Evalyn Parsons.

Mayor Natoli was a special guest.