Categories & Criteria

nsw Tourism Awards history

Past winners and finalists

The NSW Tourism Awards have recognised and promoted excellence in tourism for over 30 years. 

 Since the awards started in 1989, thousands of amazing entrants have showcased an outstanding array of tourism products and experiences in NSW, and have reflected the high-calibre professionalism of our industry. 
The awards are presented annually by the NSW Tourism Industry Council powered by Business NSW and form part of the Australian Tourism Awards.

2019   2018   2017

NSW Tourism Awards 2019

NSW Hall of Fame inductee:  Moonshadow TQC Cruises, Nelson Bay

The following NSW Tourism Awards winners went on to win gold, silver and bronze national titles at the prestigious Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.

GOLD - Specialised Tourism Services, Blue Ginger Picnics, Kingscliff

SILVER

BRONZE

2019 NSW Tourism Awards Winners

Gold – The Australian Reptile Park, Somersby

Gold – Outback Astronomy, Broken Hill
Silver – Forestry Corporation of NSW: Sealy Lookout, Orara East State Forest, Coffs Harbour
Bronze – Oakvale Wildlife Park, Salt Ash
Finalists:
Old Dubbo Gaol
Eucumbene Trout Farm, Rocky Plain
Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures 
Science Space, North Wollongong
Symbio Wildlife Park, Helensburgh

Gold - Destination NSW: Vivid Sydney 2019
Silver - Splendour in the Grass 2018, Byron Bay
Bronze - Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour 2019: West Side Story
Finalists:
Tamworth Regional Council: Tamworth Country Music Festival   
Hunter Valley Gardens: Christmas Lights Spectacular, Pokolbin

Gold - Grazing Down the Lachlan, Forbes
Silver - Deni Ute Muster, Deniliquin
Bronze - Lismore Lantern Parade
Finalists:
Bathurst Regional Council: Bathurst Winter Festival 2018
Lismore City Council: Eat the Street Lismore
South East Arts & Twofold Aboriginal Corporation: Giiyong Festival 

Gold - Go Sea Kayak Byron Bay
Silver – Sydney by Kayak, Lavender Bay
Bronze - Wolgan Valley Eco Tours
Finalists:
Vision Walks Eco Tours, Brunswick Heads.
Eucumbene Trout Farm, Rocky Plain.
Southbound Escapes, Narooma.

Gold - Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail, Port Macquarie
Silver – Nundle Woollen Mill
Bronze - Old Dubbo Gaol
Highly Commended - Q Station, Sydney Harbour National Park, Manly
Finalists:
Old Dubbo Gaol.
Culture Scouts, Redfern.
Sydney Cricket Ground: SCG Tour.

Gold - The Giingan Experience by Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation, Coffs Harbour
Silver – Bundyi Cultural Tours, Wagga Wagga
Bronze - Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours, Coffs Harbour

Finalist:
Gawura Gallery, Glen Innes

Gold - Blue Ginger Picnics, Kingscliff
Silver – Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet, Sydney
Bronze - South Coast Nannies, Nowra
Finalist:
Ask Roz

Gold – Mudgee Region Tourism: Visitor Information Services
Silver – Shoalhaven City Council: Visitor Services
Bronze - Warrumbungle National Park Visitor Centre
Highly Commended - Albury Visitor Information Centre
Finalists:
Bathurst Visitor Info Centre
Dubbo Visitor Info Centre
Orange Visitor Info Centre

Gold – Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel
Silver - Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley
Bronze - Elements of Byron, Byron Bay
Finalists:
Sydney Harbour Yacht Charter.
Urban Winery Sydney: Business Events.

Gold & Hall of Fame – Moonshadow - TQC Cruises, Nelson Bay
Silver – AAT Kings, Sydney

Gold – Port Stephens 4WD Tours, Nelson Bay
Silver – Beyond Ballooning, Lovedale
Finalist:
Sydney Harbour Boat Tours

Gold – Emu Trekkers, Sydney & Blue Mountains
Silver – Sand Dune Adventures, Williamtown
Bronze - Beyond Ballooning, Lovedale
Finalists:
Coffs Coast Surf Tours.
Southbound Escapes.
Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures.
Stand Up Paddleboarding Shellharbour.

Gold – Orange360: Extend the Weekend campaign
Silver – Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association: Hunter Valley 'Here's to the Good Life' Campaign
Bronze - Clarence Valley Council: My Clarence Valley Tourism
Finalists:
Dubbo Regional Council: Dubbo + Great Western Plains Destination Marketing Campaign.
Coffs Harbour City Council: Coffs Coast Destination - Naturally Connected.

Gold – The River Deck, South Albury
Silver – Bent on Food, Wingham
Bronze - Yots Café, Darling Harbour

Gold – Heifer Station Wines, Orange
Silver – Brokenwood Wines Cellar Door, Pokolbin
Bronze - Tumut River Brewing Co
Finalist:
Urban Winery Sydney, Moore Park
 

Gold – NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park
Silver – Reflections Holiday Parks Seal Rocks
Bronze - Ingenia Holidays South West Rocks
Highly Commended - BIG4 Great Lakes at Forster-Tuncurry
Finalists:
Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort, Yamba.
North Star Holiday Resort, Hastings Point.
DC on the Lake Holiday Park, Mulwala.
Blacksmiths Beachside Holiday Park, Blacksmiths.

Gold – Telegraph Retreat Cottages, Telegraph Point
Silver – Eldee Station, Silverton
Finalist:
Morvern Valley Farm Stay, Bundanoon

Gold – Sierra Escape, Mudgee
Silver – Q Station, Sydney Harbour National Park, Manly

Gold – Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga
Silver – Peppertree Hill Luxury Farm Cottages, Mudgee
Bronze - Macquarie Waters Boutique Apartment Hotel, Port Macquarie
Finalists:
Bandalong Cottages - Mudgee.
Kirsten Serviced Accommodation, Mudgee & Parkes.
Blueberry Hills on Comleroy, Kurrajong.

Gold – Macquarie 4 Star, Lake Macquarie
Silver – Cadell on the Murray Motel Resort, Moama - Echuca
Bronze - Manera Heights Apartments, Dubbo
Finalists:
City Centre Motor Inn, Armidale.
Observatory Holiday Apartments, Coffs Harbour.
 

Gold – Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel
Silver – Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa
Bronze - The Parkview Hotel Mudgee
Finalist:
Mantra Albury Hotel.
Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley.

Gold – Elements of Byron, Byron Bay
Silver – Mt Hay Retreat, Berry
Bronze – Dovecote, Gerringong

Gold – Faraway Domes, Warialda
Silver – Table Under a Tree, Rosebank
Bronze - Bangalay Luxury Villas, Shoalhaven Heads
Finalists:
Accessible Accommodation, National.
Boomers Bike Tours Sydney, Paddington.
Cocky Guides, Sydney.
Pearls of Australia, Mooney Mooney.
Fern St Gallery, Gerringong.

Gold – Margan Wines & Restaurant, Broke
Silver – Cupitt's Winery, Brewery & Fromagerie, Ulladulla
Bronze - Food I Am, Wagga Wagga
Finalists:
Tasting Plate Tours, Terranora

Gold – Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga
Silver – Oakvale Wildlife Park, Salt Ash
Bronze - Australia in Style, Randwick

Please note: This Award is only offered at the NSW Tourism Awards level. Winners in this category will not proceed to the Australian Tourism Awards.

Janet Hyde

This award recognises the outstanding contribution by an individual to the NSW tourism industry, honouring those who go over and above their own commercial focus to contribute to the broader industry. 

Please note: This Award is only offered at the NSW Tourism Awards level. Winners in this category will not proceed to the Australian Tourism Awards.

 

Minister Ayres at the NSW Tourism Awards Minister Ayres at the NSW Tourism Awards
Major Tourist Attraction: Australian Reptile Park Major Tourist Attraction: Australian Reptile Park
2019_finalist_webtile_Blue_Ginger_Picnics Specialised Tourism Services: Blue Ginger Picnics

2019 NSW Tourism Awards highlights

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NSW Tourism Awards 2018

Hall of Fame inductees

The following State award winners went on to win silver and bronze national titles at the prestigious Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.

SILVER

BRONZE

2018 NSW Tourism Awards Winners

Gold - The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney 
Silver - Featherdale Wildlife Park, Doonside

Gold - Forestry Corporation of NSW Sealy Lookout, Orara East State Forest 
Silver - Rich River Golf Club, Moama
Bronze - Oakvale Wildlife Park, Salt Ash
Finalists:
Club Catalina Country Club, Batemans Bay
Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail, Port Macquarie
Mayfield Garden, Oberon
Outback Astronomy, Broken Hill
Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran


Gold -
Splendour in the Grass 2017
Silver
- Destination NSW – Vivid Sydney 
Bronze - Tamworth Regional Council - Tamworth Country Music Festival 

Gold - Parkes Shire Council: Parkes Elvis Festival 2018 
Silver - Lismore City Council: Eat the Street Lismore 
Bronze: Canowindra Challenge Inc - Canowindra International Balloon Challenge
Finalists:
Australian Celtic Festival, Glen Innes
Deni Ute Muster, Deniliquin
Woolgoolga and Northern Beaches Chamber of Commerce: Woolgoolga Curryfest 

Gold - Go Sea Kayak Byron Bay 
Silver - Wolgan Valley Eco Tours, Brunswick Heads
Bronze - Byron Bay Eco Cruises & Kayaks 
Highly Commended - Koala Preservation Society - Port Macquarie Koala Hospital 
Finalists:

Jetty Dive Centre, Coffs Harbour
Tweed Eco Cruises, Tweed Heads

Gold - Nundle Woollen Mill 
Silver
- Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail, Port Macquarie
Bronze - Old Dubbo Gaol 
Finalists:
Bunker Cartoon Gallery, Coffs Harbour
Port Macquarie Museum
Q Station Sydney Harbour National Park Manly 
Tribal Warrior, Redfern

Gold - Sand Dune Adventures, Williamtown
Silver - Tribal Warrior, Redfern
Bronze - The Giingan Experience by Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation, Coffs Harbour
Finalists:
Bundyi Cultural Tours, Wagga Wagga
Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours, Coffs Harbour

Gold - Ask Roz
Silver
- Arts Mid North Coast - Mid North Coast...the Creative Coast 
Bronze - Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet
Finalists:
South Coast Nannies 
The Age of Fishes Museum 


Gold -
Yass Valley Council: Yass Valley Information Centre 
Silver -
Mudgee Region Tourism - Mudgee Region Visitor Information Services
Bronze
- Albury Visitor Information Centre 
Highly Commended - Bathurst Regional Council: Bathurst Visitor Information Centre
Finalists:
Dubbo Regional Council - Dubbo Visitor Information Centre 
Orange Visitor Information Centre
Parkes Visitor Information Centre 

Gold - Elements of Byron, Byron Bay
Silver - Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel
Bronze  - Luna Park Sydney – Luna Park Venues 
Finalists: 
Hyatt Regency Sydney 
Spirit Fleet, Sydney

Gold - Moonshadow - TQC Cruises, Nelson Bay 

Gold - Port Stephens 4WD Tours 
Silver - Dave's Travel & Events Group 
Bronze - Beyond Ballooning 
Finalists:
Spirit Fleet - Silver Spirit Sydney

Gold - Let’s Go Surfing Australia 
Silver - Sand Dune Adventures
Bronze - Beyond Ballooning
Finalists:
Oz Jet Boating 
TreeTops Sydney - The Hills WATSSUP Watsons Bay Stand Up Paddling

Gold - Shoalhaven Tourism: 100 Beach Challenge Campaign
Silver
- Mudgee Region Tourism: Let's Skip Town Together Mid-Week
Bronze - Edward River Council: Visit Deni Destination Appeal Campaign 
Finalists:
Clarence Valley Council - My Clarence Valley
Coffs Harbour City Council - Destination Coffs Coast
Parkes Shire Council - Parkes, Be Out There Campaign

Gold - Margan Wines & Restaurant 
Bronze
- Cupitt’s Kitchen, Ulladulla
Silver - The River Deck, Albury
Finalists:
Bannisters by the Sea – Rick Stein at Bannisters, Ulladulla
Bent On Food, Wingham Potager - A Kitchen Garden, Carool

Gold - Cupitt's Winery and Brewery, Ulladulla
Silver - Heifer Station Wines , Orange
Bronze - Tumut River Brewing Co
Finalist:
Urban Winery Sydney

Gold - BIG4 Great Lakes at Forster-Tuncurry 
Silver - Reflections Holiday Parks Seal Rocks
Bronze
- Great Aussie Holiday Park

Finalists:
BIG 4 Karuah Jetty Holiday Park
DC on the Lake
NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park
Tweed Coast Holiday Parks, Kingscliff Beach

Gold - Eldee Station, Silverton
Silver - Mountain Whispers The MW Collection, Blue Mountains
Bronze
- Noonaweena, Kulnura
Finalist: 
Blueberry Hills on Comleroy, Kurrajong

Gold - Sierra Escape Mudgee
Silver - Q Station Sydney Harbour National Park Manly
Finalist:
The Residences Centennial Park 

Gold - Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga
Silver - Macquarie Waters Boutique Apartment Hotel, Port Macquarie 
Bronze - Lakeview Luxury Retreat, Orange
Finalist:
Kirsten Serviced Accommodation, Mudgee & Parkes
Morvern Valley Farm Stay, Bundanoon

Gold - Lodge Outback Motel
Silver - Manera Heights Apartments, Dubbo
Finalists:
Heritage Hotel Motel, Dorrigo
Shearing Shed Motor Inn, Dubbo

Gold - Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel 
Silver - Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa 
Bronze - Sails Port Macquarie by Rydges
Finalists:
Bannisters by the Sea, Mollymook
Quest Griffith
The Parkview Hotel Mudgee

Gold - Elements of Byron, Byron Bay
Silver - CIRCA 1936, Corowa
Bronze - Mt Hay Retreat, Berry

Gold: Blue Ginger Picnics, Kingscliff
Finalist:
Open Air Picnics

Gold - Cupitt's Winery, Brewery, Fromagerie and Kitchen, Ulladulla
Silver - Food I Am, Wagga
Bronze - Margan Winery & Restaurant, Broke
Finalists:
Bent On Food, Wingham
Orange Ex-Services' Club: The Greenhouse of Orange 
Sydney Fish Market
Tasting Plate Tours, Terranora
The Cheesemaking Workshop, Coffs Harbour

Dean Gorddard (posthumous award)

This award recognises the outstanding contribution by an individual to the NSW tourism industry, honouring those who go over and above their own commercial focus to contribute to the broader industry. 

Please note: This Award is only offered at the NSW Tourism Awards level. Winners in this category will not proceed to the Australian Tourism Awards.

2018_finalist_webtile_Tribal_Warrior Tribal Warrior
2018_finalist_webtile_Lets_Go_Surfing Lets Go Surfing
2018_finalist_webtile_Shoalhaven Shoalhaven Tourism

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NSW Tourism Awards 2017

Hall of Fame inductees

GOLD

SILVER

 

BRONZE

AUS. HALL OF FAME  - Big 4 Deniliquin Holiday Park

2017 NSW Tourism Awards Winners

Gold -  Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Silver - BridgeClimb Sydney
Bronze - Blue Mountains National Park, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service


Gold - Sealy Lookout, Orara East State Forest, Coffs Harbour
Silver - Cape Byron State Conservation, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service 
Bronze - Oakvale Farm and Fauna World, Salt Ash
Finalists:
Bygone Beautys, Leura
Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail, Port Macquarie
Outback Astronomy, Broken Hill
Symbio Wildlife Park, Helensburgh

Gold - Byron Bay Bluesfest 
Silver: Vivid Sydney 
Bronze - 2017 Tamworth Country Music Festival 

Finalist:
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 

Gold - Parkes Elvis Festival
Silver - Eat the Street 2017
Bronze - Canowindra Challenge
Finalists:
Australian Celtic Festival 
Byron Writers Festival
Deni Ute Muster 
Orange F.O.O.D Week 
Splendour in the Grass 

Gold - Byron Bay Eco Cruises & Kayaks
Silver - Go Sea Kayak, Byron Bay

Gold - Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail, Port Macquarie
Silver - Sydney Harbour Culture, History and Heritage Tours, NSW National Park and Wildlife Service
Bronze - Bygone Beautys, Leura
Finalists:
Old Dubbo Gaol
Port Macquarie Museum

 

Gold - Sand Dune Adventures, Williamtown
Silver - Bundyi Cultural Tours, Wagga and Giingan Gumbaynggirr Cultural Experience, Coffs Harbour

Finalists:
Arts Mid North Coast 
Ask Roz, Blue Mountains
Booking Boss 

Gold - Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Silver - Mudgee Region Visitor Information Centre

Gold - Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel 
Silver - Hyatt Regency Sydney
Bronze - Luna Park Sydney 
Finalists:
Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley
Novotel Wollongong Northbeach 

Gold - Moonshadow - TQC Cruises 
Finalist:
Sydney Seaplanes 

Gold - Daves Pub Walks 
Bronze - Colourful Trips 
Finalists:
Beyond Ballooning
Outback Geo Adventures
Sydney Pub Tours

Gold - Let’s Go Surfing, Bondi to Byron Bay
Silver - Sand Dune Adventures, Williamtown
Bronze - Beyond Ballooning
Finalist:
Tandem Skydiving

Gold - Mudgee Region Tourism: Let’s Skip Town Together Campaign 
Silver - NPWS: Wild About Whales 
Bronze - Discover Balranald and Surrounds

Gold - Margans Winery and Restaurant, Broke
Silver - Cupitt’s Kitchen, Ulladulla
Bronze - Bent on Food, Wingham
Finalist:
Potager – A  Kitchen Garden, Carool

Gold - Cupitt's Winery and Brewery, Ulladulla
Finalists:
Hungerford Hill Wines, Pokolbin
Trentham Estate, Trentham Cliffs

Gold - BIG4 Deniliquin Holiday Park
Silver - Fingal Bay Holiday Park
Bronze - BIG4 Great Lakes at Forster-Tuncurry
Finalists:
BIG4 Bungalow Park on Burrill Lake
North Coast Holiday Parks Moonee Beach
NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Park

Gold - Mollymook Beach Waterfront 
Silver - Eldee Station, Silverton
Bronze - Noonaweena, Kulnura
Finalist:
Mowbray Park Farm Holidays, Picton

Gold - Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Silver - Thou Walla Sunset Retreat
Bronze - Byron Bay Cottages, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

Gold - Lilypad Luxury Cabins
Silver - Lakeview Luxury Cabins
Bronze - Manera Heights Apartments
Finalist:
Abingdon House

Gold - Moama on Murray Resort
Silver - Royal National Park Tourist Cottages, NSW  National Parks and Wildlife Service

Gold - Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa
Silver - Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains - MGallery By Sofitel
Bronze - Crowne Plaza Terrigal
Finalists:
Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley
Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort
Sir Stamford at Circular Quay

Gold - The Darling, the Star Sydney
Silver - Mountain Whispers 
Bronze - CIRCA 1936

Gold: Hello Sydney Shopper Hopper
Finalist:
Sierra Escape


Gold 
- Margan Wines & Restaurant, Broke
Silver
- Bent on Food, Wingham

Gold - TAFE NSW 
Silver - TEACH at TAFE NSW Wollongbar
Bronze - Western Sydney University 
Finalist:
Rees International

Please note: This Award was is only offered at the NSW Tourism Awards level. Winners in this category did not proceed to the Australian Tourism Awards.

Reg Edwards
This award recognises the outstanding contribution by an individual to the NSW tourism industry, honouring those who go over and above their own commercial focus to contribute to the broader industry. 

Please note: This Award is only offered at the NSW Tourism Awards level. Winners in this category will not proceed to the Australian Tourism Awards.
Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Performer: Casey Donovan
Performer: Tim Campbell

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