The winners of the 30th anniversary edition of the NSW Tourism Awards were announced at the Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney last night.
Speaking at the Awards, Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres highlighted the importance of tourism and events to the State’s economy.
“Tourism is vital to our State’s economy, so to be recognised at the NSW Tourism Awards is a truly outstanding achievement,” he said.
“I thank all of the winners for their unwavering commitment to offering our domestic and international visitors Australia’s most remarkable experiences.
“Beyond our spectacular natural scenery and iconic capital city, the highlight for many visitors to NSW is the individuals who front these award-winning experiences, who exude contagious passion and excitement and ensure every trip to our State is simply unforgettable.”
Seventy-five award winners were announced in a range of categories out of 124 finalists.
Moonshadow – TQC Cruises, Nelson Bay was inducted into the NSW Tourism Awards Hall of Fame, for taking out top honours in the Major Tour and/or Transport Operators category for the third year in a row while Janette Hyde, president of the Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Association was awarded the Dean Gorddard Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to NSW.
Gold Medal winners in categories 1 to 25 go on to represent NSW at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, to be held in Canberra in March 2020.
“This group of winners and finalists should be incredibly proud of this recognition,” said Business Australia (formerly, the NSW Business Chamber) CEO Stephen Cartwright.
“Award entrants continue to showcase a diverse array of talent, passion and innovative drive that allows our state’s tourism industry to thrive.”
The 2019 NSW Tourism Awards winners
MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Gold – The Australian Reptile Park, Somersby
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Gold – Outback Astronomy, Broken Hill
Silver – Forestry Corporation of NSW: Sealy Lookout, Orara East State Forest, Coffs Harbour
Bronze – Oakvale Wildlife Park, Salt Ash
MAJOR FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
Gold – Destination NSW: Vivid Sydney 2019
Silver – Splendour in the Grass 2018, Byron Bay
Bronze – Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour 2019: West Side Story
FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
Gold – Grazing Down the Lachlan, Forbes
Silver – Deni Ute Muster, Deniliquin
Bronze – Lismore Lantern Parade
ECOTOURISM
Gold – Go Sea Kayak Byron Bay
Silver – Sydney by Kayak, Lavender Bay
Bronze – Wolgan Valley Eco Tours
CULTURAL TOURISM
Gold – Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail, Port Macquarie
Silver – Nundle Woollen Mill
Bronze – Old Dubbo Gaol
Highly Commended – Q Station, Sydney Harbour National Park, Manly
QANTAS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER TOURISM
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
SPECIALISED TOURISM SERVICES
Gold – Blue Ginger Picnics, Kingscliff
Silver – Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet, Sydney
Bronze – South Coast Nannies, Nowra
VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICES
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
BUSINESS EVENT VENUES
Gold – Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel
Silver – Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley
Bronze – Elements of Byron, Byron Bay
MAJOR TOUR AND/OR TRANSPORT OPERATORS
Gold & Hall of Fame – Moonshadow – TQC Cruises, Nelson Bay
Silver – AAT Kings, Sydney
TOUR AND/OR TRANSPORT OPERATORS
Gold – Port Stephens 4WD Tours, Nelson Bay
Silver – Beyond Ballooning, Lovedale
ADVENTURE TOURISM
Gold – Emu Trekkers, Sydney & Blue Mountains
Silver – Sand Dune Adventures, Williamtown
Bronze – Beyond Ballooning, Lovedale
DESTINATION MARKETING
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
TOURISM RESTAURANTS AND CATERING SERVICES
Gold – The River Deck, South Albury
Silver – Bent on Food, Wingham
Bronze – Yots Café, Darling Harbour
TOURISM WINERIES, DISTILLERIES AND BREWERIES
Gold – Heifer Station Wines, Orange
Silver – Brokenwood Wines Cellar Door, Pokolbin
Bronze – Tumut River Brewing Co
CARAVAN & HOLIDAY PARKS
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
HOSTED ACCOMMODATION
Gold – Telegraph Retreat Cottages, Telegraph Point
Silver – Eldee Station, Silverton
UNIQUE ACCOMMODATION
Gold – Sierra Escape, Mudgee
Silver – Q Station, Sydney Harbour National Park, Manly
SELF CONTAINED ACCOMMODATION
Gold – Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga
Silver – Peppertree Hill Luxury Farm Cottages, Mudgee
Bronze – Macquarie Waters Boutique Apartment Hotel, Port Macquarie
STANDARD ACCOMMODATION
Gold – Macquarie 4 Star, Lake Macquarie
Silver – Cadell on the Murray Motel Resort, Moama – Echuca
Bronze – Manera Heights Apartments, Dubbo
DELUXE ACCOMMODATION
Gold – Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel
Silver – Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa
Bronze – The Parkview Hotel Mudgee
LUXURY ACCOMMODATION
Gold – Elements of Byron, Byron Bay
Silver – Mt Hay Retreat, Berry
Bronze – Dovecote, Gerringong
NEW TOURISM BUSINESS
Gold – Faraway Domes, Warialda
Silver – Table Under a Tree, Rosebank
Bronze – Bangalay Luxury Villas, Shoalhaven Heads
EXCELLENCE IN FOOD TOURISM
Gold – Margan Wines & Restaurant, Broke
Silver – Cupitt’s Winery, Brewery & Fromagerie, Ulladulla
Bronze – Food I Am, Wagga Wagga
DEAN GORDDARD AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION BY AN INDIVIDUAL TO NSW
Winner: Janette Hyde
EXCELLENCE IN ACCESSIBLE TOURISM
Gold – Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga
Silver – Oakvale Wildlife Park, Salt Ash
Bronze – Australia in Style, Randwick
