Sydney, November 12: Late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo has won Queensland's top tourism award.

The wildlife park was named Queensland's major tourist attraction at the 2007 Queensland Tourism Awards in Townsville last night.

Created in 1992, the zoo is presently run by Irwin’s widow Terri.

Queensland Tourism Minister Desley Boyle termed the zoo “market leader” in the State's tourism industry.

"Australia Zoo has become an iconic attraction that has always looked to the future by incorporating new attractions, " news.com.au quoted her as saying.

"I warmly congratulate Terri Irwin and her team. It's a popular winner and an inspiration to everyone in the industry, " she added.

Warner Village Theme Parks chief executive John Menzies was another major winner of the night. He was honoured in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the State's tourism industry.

He runs a number of theme parks in Queensland, including Sea World, Movie World and Wet'n'Wild on the Gold Coast.

"John has worked his way up the ranks from his early days as a performance water skier to building up Seaworld to a world-class attraction, helping to develop Hamilton Island and overseeing the inception of Warner Brothers Movieworld, " Boyle said.

More than 200 entries were received for this year's awards. (ANI)