Last night, the NSW Tourism Association announced the winners of the NSW Tourism Awards 2024 during a gala event at The Star Sydney. The evening celebrated the tourism and hospitality sectors in NSW, which are delivering world-class visitor experiences that are growing the NSW visitor economy.
Winners were recognised with gold, silver and bronze awards for their commitment to tourism excellence. Category winners from the NSW Tourism Awards will now represent the state at the Australian Tourism Awards.
The NSW Tourism Awards are the exclusive pathway for NSW visitor economy businesses to qualify for the national competition.
NSW Tourism Association CEO Natalie Godward congratulated all the winners and finalists on their awards.
“The benchmark for the NSW Tourism Awards this year was high, so to be recognised as a finalist or one of our winners is a huge achievement.
“The tourism industry can at times be incredibly tough so well done to everyone who has gone above and beyond to deliver whether that be experiences, food, or amazing venues.
“We’re lucky in NSW to have such diversity with our tourism from unique country events to immersive ocean adventures, and hero Sydney experiences. These awards are a chance to celebrate the strength, pride and passion of our industry, as well as the small to large businesses who offer these unique opportunities to have memorable experiences.
“Thank you to all who joined us last night to celebrate our industry and the great people in it,” Ms Godward said.
The NSW Tourism Awards 2024 were supported proudly by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said: “Congratulations to all the finalists and winners for their outstanding contribution to the visitor economy.
“Tourism in NSW is set for incredible growth over the next decade, but its success rests on the hard work and hospitality of the people working across the industry. These awards are about recognising those people.”
The 2024 category winners include:
4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation
- GOLD: Oriana Retro Hotel & Resort, Orange
5 Star Luxury Accommodation
- GOLD: Mt Hay Retreat, Berry
- SILVER: Kalinya Estate, Bargo
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences
- GOLD: Bundyi Cultural Tours, Wagga Wagga
Adventure Tourism
- GOLD: Balloon Aloft, Hunter Valley, Camden Valley, Mudgee and Byron Bay
- SILVER: Let’s Go Surfing, Sydney, Byron Bay
- BRONZE: Oz Jet Boating, Sydney
Caravan & Holiday Parks
- GOLD: Holiday Haven Lake Conjola
- SILVER: Tathra Beach Eco Camp
- BRONZE: Tasman Holiday Parks Racecourse Beach, Bawley Point
Cultural Tourism
- GOLD: Port Macquarie Museum
- SILVER: Local Sauce Tours, Sydney
- BRONZE: Dubbo Regional Council – Old Dubbo Gaol
Ecotourism
- GOLD: Kestrel Nest EcoHut, Mount Adrah
- SILVER: Sydney By Kayak, Lavender Bay
- BRONZE: Navigate Expeditions, Far South Coast
Excellence in Accessible Tourism
- GOLD: Balloon Aloft Australia, Hunter Valley, Camden Valley, Mudgee and Byron Bay
- SILVER: Blue Mountains Climbing School
- BRONZE: Sails Holiday Park, Belmont
Excellence in Food Tourism
- GOLD: Love Lord Howe
- SILVER: Food I Am, Wagga Wagga
- BRONZE: Tocumwal Chocolate School
Festivals & Events
- GOLD: Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash
- SILVER: Tumbafest Inc, Tumbarumba
- BRONZE: Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail
Hosted Accommodation
- GOLD: Black Sheep Inn, Borenore
- SILVER: Amaroo Valley Springs, Kangaroo Valley
Local Government Award for Tourism
- GOLD: Bathurst Regional Council
- SILVER: City of Newcastle
Major Festivals & Events
- GOLD: Bluesfest Byron Bay
- SILVER: Strawberry Fields Festival, Tocumwal
Major Tour & Transport Operators
- GOLD: Captain Cook Cruises – Sydney
- SILVER: Moonshadow – TQC Cruises, Nelson Bay
Major Tourist Attractions
- GOLD: Symbio Wildlife Park, Helensburgh
- SILVER: 4WD Tours R Us, Anna Bay
- BRONZE: The Big Banana Fun Park, Coffs Harbour
New Tourism Business
- GOLD: Beneath The Bay, Batemans Bay
- SILVER: Showtime Kayaking, Lake Macquarie
- BRONZE: The Brooklet, Brooklet
Self Contained Accommodation
- GOLD: Cedars Mount View, Hunter Valley
Service to Tourism Industry
- GOLD: TRC Tourism
- SILVER: Sparrowly Group
- BRONZE: Hipscotch
Take 3 For The Sea Award For Visitor Litter Prevention
- GOLD: Sydney By Kayak, Lavender Bay
- SILVER: Cruise Eden, Eden
Tour & Transport Operators
- GOLD: Blue Mountains Day Tours by Chapman Tours
- SILVER: 4WD Tours R Us, Anna Bay
- BRONZE: Activity Tours Australia, Sydney
Tourism Marketing & Campaigns
- GOLD: Tweed Tourism Company
- SILVER: Barrington Coast: Whatever It Takes
- BRONZE: City of Newcastle
Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services
- GOLD: Potager, Carool
- SILVER: Pipit Restaurant, Pottsville
- BRONZE: Frankie’s Restaurant and Bar, Lithgow
Tourism Retail, Hire & Services
- GOLD: Ask Roz Blue Mountains
- SILVER: Hirehood, Northern Rivers
- BRONZE: Outback Jess – Spotto Books
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries
- GOLD: Cupitt’s Estate, Ulladulla
- SILVER: Husk Distillers, North Tumbulgum
- BRONZE: Cape Byron Distillery, McLeods Shoot
Tourist Attractions
- GOLD: Northern Rivers Rail Trail
- SILVER: Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
- BRONZE: Barooga Sporties Group, Barooga
Unique Accommodation
- GOLD: Sierra Escape, Mudgee
- SILVER: Wilga Station, Bathurst
- BRONZE: Myall River Camp, Hawks Nest
Visitor Information Services
- GOLD: Bathurst Visitor Information Centre
- SILVER: MidCoast Council: Barrington Coast
- BRONZE: Albury Visitor Information Centre
Additional to the category awards, NSW Tourism Awards recognised and honoured a person who has gone above and beyond their own commercial focus to contribute to the broader NSW tourism industry. The Outstanding Contribution by an Individual accolade was awarded to Lyndel Gray, CEO of Caravan and Camping Industry Association NSW (CCIA).
Ms Godward acknowledged: “With 37 years of tourism experience, including senior roles at Destination NSW and Tourism Australia, Lyndel has driven significant sector growth, led major initiatives like Oprah Winfrey’s Sydney visit, and is active in multiple tourism leadership roles. We’re thrilled to provide Lyndel with this recognition, as a much-respected mentor and role model in the industry.”
The Tourism Stars, also known as Judges Choice Awards, go to organisations who have showed a special edge, and really connected with the judges because of their commitment, innovative approach and resilience. The 2024 Tourism Stars are Bathurst Winter Festival, Tom’s Outdoors and Destination Sydney Surrounds South – South Coast Centre of Excellence
NSW Tourism Association also proudly recognised two Hall of Fame entrants that have won the same category in 2022, 2023 and 2024, congratulations to Potager and Balloon Aloft Australia.
Find out more information about the awards and the winners here: https://nswtourismassociation.com.au/nsw-tourism-awards
#NSWTourismAwards2024
