Dreamworld theme park on the Gold Coast in Australia has won the Queensland Tourism Award for best major tourist attraction for the third year in a row.

The park also won, for the first time, the meetings and business tourism category.

CEO Stephen Gregg said: “To be recognised as the state’s leading tourist attraction for the third successive year as well as the number one meetings and business tourism destination is a great honour. We are extremely excited and a little surprised to receive these awards.

“It tops off a brilliant year for the park with great financial results and the opening of the world’s first and only Wiggles World and Australia’s first and only stationary wave, FlowRider.”

He added: “Dreamworld has also positioned itself as a leading corporate venue creating a host of experiences that capitalise on and exceed people’s expectations of the brand and we are thrilled to receive recognition for this important part of our business.”

Dreamworld will now go through to the Australian Tourism Awards in both the major tourist attraction and meetings and business tourism categories.

Next month, Dreamworld will unveil its new AUS$60m (£24m, US$46m, 36m euro) waterpark, WhiteWater World.

“From family friendly attractions including Wiggle Bay and Nickelodeon’s Pipeline Plunge, to the most extreme waterslides ever made, WhiteWater World is the ultimate shrine to our sun, sand and sea,” said Gregg. “It truly is one of the most technologically advanced water ride parks on earth.” Details: www.dreamworld.com.au