kabarsula Northern Rivers Rail Trail and Crystal Castle among big winners at 2026 NSW Tourism Awards bandar SLOT INDONESIA

Tourism operators from the North Coast to the outback have claimed top honours at the 2026 NSW Tourism Awards, with regional NSW taking 19 of the 30 Gold awards – 10 of them on the North Coast.

The NSW Tourism Association hosted the awards at ICC Sydney last night, naming 73 winners across Gold, Silver and Bronze placings in 30 categories.

Northern Rivers Rail Trail won Gold in Major Tourist Attractions, while Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens took Gold in both Tourist Attractions and Excellence in Accessible Tourism. Vision Walks – Eco Tours won Gold in three categories: Ecotourism, Tour & Transport Operators, and the Take 3 For The Sea Award for Visitor Litter Prevention.

Other Gold winners 

• Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash (Major Festivals & Events)
• Groovin the Moo Lismore (Festivals & Events)
• Old Dubbo Gaol – Dubbo Regional Council (Cultural Tourism)
• Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experience)
• Brighton Coach & Tours (Major Tour & Transport Operators)
• Sydney Kayak Experience (Adventure Tourism)
• Newy Food Adventures (New Tourism Business)
• Mt Hay Retreat (5 Star Accommodation)

Sierra Escape (Unique Accommodation) and Mt Hay Retreat were inducted into the NSW Tourism Awards Hall of Fame after winning Gold in their categories for three consecutive years, from 2024 to 2026. They join three businesses inducted in 2025.

Steve Hinks, director at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, received the Outstanding Contribution by an Individual award. The judging panel also named three Tourism Stars for outstanding potential and commitment: Kestrel Nest EcoHut, Nundle Woollen Mill and Tarragon Lodge Holiday Park.

Accessible tourism was a standout, with seven finalists in its category, the highest number in recent years. Ecotourism also drew a strong field.

“It’s been a challenging year for our industry however the passion and commitment across our operators hasn’t wavered,” NSW Tourism Association CEO Natalie Godward said.

“These businesses have earned their place among the state’s leading tourism businesses through a rigorous assessment process. That is a significant achievement and one they should be immensely proud of.”

Submissions were assessed by a panel of 50 judges alongside a consumer review score, with the process subject to internal verification and an independent external audit by BYRONS.

This year the association expanded its entrant support program, with a quarter of entrants taking up a new personalised mentoring service and more than 50 per cent joining support webinars and regional programs.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said the winners reflected the quality and ambition driving the state’s visitor economy, adding the government was backing the sector as it works towards a $91 billion tourism target by 2035.

Eligible Gold winners will represent NSW at the Australian Tourism Awards, to be held at the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre in Victoria on 19 February 2027.

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