Katherine Outback Experience, run by local couple Annabel and Tom Curtain, was crowned the winner of the Tourist Attractions category for the third year in a row at the Darwin Convention Centre on Saturday night.

They were also named the winner of the Chairman's Choice for Tourism Excellence.

The Curtain family were unable to attend the ceremony as they are currently on the road in WA for Mr Curtain's We're Still Here Tour, but Ms Curtain said they were thrilled to have been represented by their team member Katrina Lucas on the night.

She said Katherine Outback Experience offered something different to tourists.

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"People really like the realness of the show. It's not contrived, it's very raw," Ms Curtain said.

"People really like that side of it.":

Ms Curtain said the Katherine tourism community had banded together over what has been a difficult couple of years.

"It's pulled Katherine tourism operators even closer together," she said.

"Katherine has a cool name for being a really tight region, it's almost the envy of the other regions for it."

Former Katherine Mayor Fay Miller AM was awarded the prestigious Tourism Minister's Perpetual Trophy for her contribution over more than three decades to the NT's tourism industry.

Ms Miller said she had no idea she was up for the gong despite being a judge on the Brolgas panel.

"I had absolutely no idea. My husband knew and so did my daughter, and that's what made it even more special," she said.

"I'm extremely privileged and honoured to be among some very respected people within the industry and announced as winners over the years."

Ms Miller has been involved in Katherine's tourism industry since the early 80's when she owned and ran a local tourist park for 11 years.

She went on to be on the executive of the now defunct Katherine Region Tourist Association for seven years and the chair for four.

"The excitement of encouraging people to come and see the amazing things we've got," Ms Miller said about why she loves tourism.

"We're right in the centre of Adventure Territory, surrounded by rivers and national parks.

"If you're enthusiastic about your product people will say 'I'd better go and see that'."

Katherine's Knotts Crossing Resort also took out the award for the 3-3.5 Star Accommodation category.

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