A SOUTHERN Downs tourism business scored a major gong at Friday night's 2015 Queensland Tourism Awards.

Spicers Peak Lodge in Maryvale earned the luxury accommodation gold award at the industry's night of nights in Brisbane.

Toowoomba's Carnival of Flowers also hit a high note with judges when they gave it the gold award for major festivals and events.

The gala event hosted by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council handed out 81 awards across 30 categories in front of 900 guests at Brisbane's Convention and Exhibition Centre.

A total of 156 nominations were received from entrants throughout Queensland with five nominations received from the Southern Queensland Country district.

QTIC chief executive Daniel Gschwind congratulated the Spicers Peak Lodge's owners and the organisers of the Carnival of Flowers.

Mr Gschwind said the awards paid homage to the hardworking dedicated people and organisations shaping and transforming the industry.

"Tourism is in a growth phase with great opportunities to invest in Queensland's destinations and services," he said.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the awards recognised the people who "help make Queensland tourism great".

"I commend all of the award winners as well as the Queensland Tourism Industry Council for their dedication to investing in the future of the industry, to embracing quality and innovation so that they can excel and grow," Ms Jones said.

The awards have been operating since 1985 and are judged by a panel of industry experts who volunteer their time to assess written submissions and travel throughout Queensland to experience the amenities and services of nominated businesses.

Tourism employs about 241,000 Queenslanders and is the state's second largest export earner.