The best of the best in tourism from around New South Wales were recognised for their hard work and contribution to travel at the 2016 NSW Tourism Awards.
Held at the Luna Park Sydney in Milson’s Point last week, a little over 80 attractions, event organisers, venues, accommodation and operators were honoured at the event.
This year, Cameron Arnold was congratulated for his ‘Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to NSW’, while the ‘people’ voted for Australian Reptile Park in the Gold Coast for the ‘People’s Choice Award’.
It may not have been a Gold, but technology start-up, Booking Boss, was excited to take home silver for the Specialised Services category, with CEO Renee Welsh saying the win gives the company more validation as an “incredible product used by many tourism operators across the country and the world”.
Gold Winners such as The Darling Hotel in Sydney, Southern Highlands Welcome Centre, Sand Dune Adventures in The Hunter and more will progress to the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, which will be held in Darwin in February next year.
Check out the complete list of winners:
Major Tourist Attractions
Gold: BridgeClimb Sydney, Sydney
Silver: Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney
Bronze: Australian Reptile Park, Central Coast
Tourist Attractions
Gold: Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Country NSW
Silver: Sealy Lookout, Orara East State Forest, North Coast
Bronze: Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail, North Coast
Major Festivals and Events
Gold: Byron Bay Bluesfest, North Coast
Silver: Tamworth Country Music Festival, Country NSW
Bronze: Hunter Valley Steamfest, The Hunter
Festivals and Events
Gold: Parkes Elvis Festival, Country NSW
Silver: Boggabri Drovers Campfire, Country NSW
Bronze: Deni Ute Muster, Murray
Ecotourism
Gold: Byron Bay Eco Cruises & Kayaks, North Coast
Silver: Tri State Safaris, Outback NSW
Highly Commended: Region X – Unspoilt Experiences Batemans Bay, South Coast
Cultural Tourism
Gold: Nundle Woollen Mill, Country NSW
Silver: Cultural Heritage and Tourism, City of Parramatta, Sydney
Bronze: Old Dubbo Gaol, Country NSW
Highly Commended: Sydney Outback Wilderness & Aboriginal Explorer Tour and Cruise, Sydney
Qantas Award for Excellence in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism
Gold: Sand Dune Adventures, The Hunter
Silver: Arakwal Dolphin Dreaming, North Coast
Highly Commended: Sydney Outback Wilderness & Aboriginal Explorer Tour and Cruise, Sydney
Specialised Tourism Services
Gold: Ask Roz, Blue Mountains
Silver: Booking Boss, Sydney
Visitor Information Services
Gold: Southern Highlands Welcome Centre, Country NSW
Silver: Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, North Coast
Bronze: Albury Visitor Information Centre, Murray
Highly Commended: Liverpool Plains Visitor Information Centre, Country NSW
Business Event Venues
Gold and Hall of Fame: Chateau Elan at The Vintage, The Hunter
Chateau Elan at The Vintage have been inducted in the Hall of Fame for winning this category for the third consecutive year.
Silver: Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery by Sofitel, Blue Mountains
Bronze: Luna Park Sydney, Sydney
Highly Commended: The Star Event Centre, Sydney
Major Tour and Transport Operators
Gold and Hall of Fame: AAT Kings NSW, Sydney
AAT Kings NSW have been inducted in the Hall of Fame for winning this category for the third consecutive year.
Highly Commended: Captain Cook Cruises, Sydney
Tour and Transport Operators
Gold: Beyond Ballooning, The Hunter
Silver: Outback Geo Adventures, Outback NSW
Bronze: Tweed Endeavour Cruises, North Coast
Adventure Tourism
Gold: Lets Go Surfing Australia, Sydney
Silver: Tri State Safaris, Outback NSW
Bronze: Beyond Ballooning, The Hunter
Destination Marketing
Gold: Reset your senses in Mudgee Region, Country NSW
Silver: Wild About Wales, NSW Coastal Regions
Bronze: Destination Southern Highlands, Country NSW
Highly Commended: Sydney Outback, Sydney
Highly Commended: UNSPOILT South Coast Marketing Campaign, South Coast
Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services
Gold: Cupitt’s Kitchen, South Coast
Silver: Margan Wines and Restaurant, The Hunter
Bronze: Bent on Food, North Coast
Highly Commended: Legends Grill at The Vintage, The Hunter
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries
Gold: Cupitt’s Winery and Brewery, South Coast
Silver: Hungerford Hill Wines, The Hunter
Caravan & Holiday Parks
Gold and Hall of Fame: BIG4 Deniliquin Holiday Park, Murray
Big4 Deniliquin Holiday Park have been inducted in the Hall of Fame for winning this category for the third consecutive year.
Silver: Merimbula Beach Holiday Park, South Coast
Bronze: BIG4 Great Lakes at Forster Tuncurry, North Coast
Hosted Accommodation
Gold: Eldee Station, Outback NSW
Silver: Telegraph Retreat Cottages, North Coast
Bronze: Noonaweena, Central Coast
Unique Accommodation
Gold and Hall of Fame: Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Country NSW
Targonga Western Plains Zoo have been inducted in the Hall of Fame for winning this category for the third consecutive year.
Silver: Thou walla Sunset Retreat, The Hunter
Self Contained Accommodation
Gold: Lilypad Luxury Cabins, North Coast
Silver: SeaHorse Diamond Beach, North Coast
Bronze: Lakeview Luxury Cabins, Country NSW
Standard Accommodation
Gold: Moama on Murray Resort, Murray
Silver: Boogie Woogie Beach House, North Coast
Bronze: Royal National Park Cottages, Sydney
Deluxe Accommodation
Gold: The Observatory Port Macquarie, North Coast
Silver: Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery By Sofitel, Blue Mountains
Bronze: Crowne Plaza Terrigal, Central Coast
Luxury Accommodation
Gold: The Darling Hotel, Sydney
Silver: Halcyon House, North Coast
Bronze: Mountain Whispers, Blue Mountains
New Tourism Business
Gold: Rees international, North Coast
Highly Commended: Emerald & Aqua, South Coast
Excellence in Food Tourism
Gold and Hall of Fame: Margan Wines & Restaurant, The Hunter
Margan Wines and Restaurant have been inducted in the Hall of Fame for winning this category for the third consecutive year
Silver: Bent on Food, North Coast
Bronze: Food I Am, Riverina
Tourism Education & Training
Gold: TEACH at Wollongbar TAFE, North Coast
Silver: Sydney TAFE Tourism and Hospitality, Sydney and Surrounds
Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to NSW
Winner: Cameron Arnold
People’s Choice Award
Winner: Australian Reptile Park, Central Coast