Outstanding tourism businesses from across New South Wales were honoured tonight as the winners of the 30th anniversary edition of the prestigious NSW Tourism Awards were announced at the Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney with 490 industry representatives in attendance.
Managed by the Tourism Industry Division of the NSW Business Chamber, the state’s peak business organisation, and supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW the NSW Tourism Awards recognise those businesses who exemplify quality tourism. These businesses provide leadership in innovation, marketing and in the delivery of quality products and services. These are businesses who advance and promote the NSW and Australian tourism industry through consistent customer service and quality experiences to all.
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 and congratulated the winners.
“Tourism is vital to our State’s economy, so to be recognised at the NSW Tourism Awards is a truly outstanding achievement. 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,” Mr Ayres said.
Seventy-five award winners were announced in a range of categories including Major Tourist Attractions, Festivals and Events, Destination Marketing and Accommodation. With 124 finalists in 2019, each winner was selected by an independent judging panel for their exceptional contribution to the NSW Tourism Industry.
Moonshadow – TQC Cruises, Nelson Bay was inducted into the prestigious 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 whilst 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.
NSW Business Chamber Chief Executive Officer Stephen Cartwright, said “This group of winners and finalists should be incredibly proud of this recognition. Award entrants continue to showcase a diverse array of talent, passion and innovative drive that allows our state’s tourism industry to thrive. Good luck to all winners continuing on to the QANTAS Australian Tourism Awards in March.”
2019 NSW TOURISM AWARDS WINNERS
MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS sponsored by Sydney Airport
Gold – The Australian Reptile Park, Somersby
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS sponsored by Destination NSW
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 sponsored by Sydney Airport
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 sponsored by NSW Business Chamber
Gold - Grazing Down the Lachlan, Forbes
Silver - Deni Ute Muster, Deniliquin
Bronze - Lismore Lantern Parade
ECOTOURISM sponsored by Forestry Corporation of NSW
Gold - Go Sea Kayak Byron Bay
Silver – Sydney by Kayak, Lavender Bay
Bronze - Wolgan Valley Eco Tours
CULTURAL TOURISM sponsored by Sydney Airport
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 sponsored by NSW Business Chamber
Gold - Blue Ginger Picnics, Kingscliff
Silver – Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet, Sydney
Bronze - South Coast Nannies, Nowra
VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICES sponsored by Destination NSW
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 sponsored by Destination NSW
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 sponsored by NSW Business Chamber
Gold & Hall of Fame – Moonshadow - TQC Cruises, Nelson Bay
Silver – AAT Kings, Sydney
TOUR AND/OR TRANSPORT OPERATORS sponsored by Signature Media
Gold – Port Stephens 4WD Tours, Nelson Bay
Silver – Beyond Ballooning, Lovedale
ADVENTURE TOURISM sponsored by Forestry Corporation of NSW
Gold – Emu Trekkers, Sydney & Blue Mountains
Silver – Sand Dune Adventures, Williamtown
Bronze - Beyond Ballooning, Lovedale
DESTINATION MARKETING - sponsored by Tourism Australia
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 sponsored by Sydney Weekender
Gold – The River Deck, South Albury
Silver – Bent on Food, Wingham
Bronze - Yots Café, Darling Harbour
TOURISM WINERIES, DISTILLERIES AND BREWERIES sponsored by Destination NSW
Gold – Heifer Station Wines, Orange
Silver – Brokenwood Wines Cellar Door, Pokolbin
Bronze - Tumut River Brewing Co
CARAVAN & HOLIDAY PARKS sponsored by Caravan & Camping Industry Association NSW
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 sponsored by Business Energy Advice Program
Gold – Telegraph Retreat Cottages, Telegraph Point
Silver – Eldee Station, Silverton
UNIQUE ACCOMMODATION sponsored by Business Energy Advice Program
Gold – Sierra Escape, Mudgee
Silver – Q Station, Sydney Harbour National Park, Manly
SELF CONTAINED ACCOMMODATION sponsored by Business Energy Advice Program
Gold – Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga
Silver – Peppertree Hill Luxury Farm Cottages, Mudgee
Bronze - Macquarie Waters Boutique Apartment Hotel, Port Macquarie
STANDARD ACCOMMODATION sponsored by Business Energy Advice Program
Gold – Macquarie 4 Star, Lake Macquarie
Silver – Cadell on the Murray Motel Resort, Moama - Echuca
Bronze - Manera Heights Apartments, Dubbo
DELUXE ACCOMMODATION sponsored by Destination NSW
Gold – Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel
Silver – Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa
Bronze - The Parkview Hotel Mudgee
LUXURY ACCOMMODATION sponsored by Business Energy Advice Program
Gold – Elements of Byron, Byron Bay
Silver – Mt Hay Retreat, Berry
Bronze – Dovecote, Gerringong
NEW TOURISM BUSINESS sponsored by NSW Business Chamber
Gold – Faraway Domes, Warialda
Silver – Table Under a Tree, Rosebank
Bronze - Bangalay Luxury Villas, Shoalhaven Heads
EXCELLENCE IN FOOD TOURISM sponsored by Sydney Weekender
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 sponsored by Qantas
Winner: Janette Hyde
* EXCELLENCE IN ACCESSIBLE TOURISM sponsored by Tourism Australia
Gold – Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga
Silver – Oakvale Wildlife Park, Salt Ash
Bronze - Australia in Style, Randwick
* Does not progress to the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards