Abbey Medieval Festival Wins Gold at Queensland Tourism Awards

Saturday 15 November 2025: Moreton Bay’s Abbey Medieval Festival took out Gold at the Queensland Tourism Awards last night. The recognition highlights the festival’s continuously evolving visitor experience and its growing role in the region’s tourism offering.

“We are immensely proud of the Abbey Medieval Festival,” said Luke Edwards, CEO of Tourism & Events Moreton Bay. “This win reflects not only an outstanding event but also a region that is maturing rapidly as a tourism destination.”

Held annually in July in Caboolture, the Abbey Medieval Festival transforms the landscape into a vibrant medieval village, complete with jousting tournaments, artisan markets and authentic food and entertainment. The festival is supported by the neighbouring Abbey Museum of Art & Archaeology - an experience available year-round, offering visitors a deep dive into ancient cultures and world history.

This award comes at a time of strong growth for the Moreton Bay region. The latest data from Tourism Research Australia shows international visitors recorded more than 2.3 million nights in the region in 2024-25 - an increase of over 426,000 nights on the previous year and 22.7% above the prior record. International holiday visitor nights surged by 57%, contributing significantly to Queensland’s total international holiday visitor spend of $3.5 billion.

Parallel to this surge in visitation, Moreton Bay is seeing substantial investment in accommodation infrastructure. Notable announcements include a landmark $180 million five-star hotel and tourism precinct in North Lakes, featuring 130 rooms, high-end dining and boutique retail. The project is projected to inject $538 million into the local economy within its first five years.

Another proposed major development is a $250 million expansion of a resort at Sandstone Point, delivering over 200 rooms and a full suite of premium amenities. These projects are part of the region’s broader plan to close the accommodation gap ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Major events like the Abbey Medieval Festival are a cornerstone of our regional visitor economy,” Edwards said. “They attract new audiences, extend stays and showcase the creativity, community and culture that make Moreton Bay such a compelling destination.”

Together, the Abbey Medieval Festival and the Abbey Museum of Art & Archaeology showcase the region’s rich cultural identity, while infrastructure investments signal Moreton Bay’s readiness to accommodate next-level visitation. 

Ends.

For more information, interviews and images - please contact Heather Mollins on heather@commspeople.au or 0412421411.