The people have spoken – Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre is among the best of the best in the world.
Just as it did in 2015, the gallery has taken out a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award, the American travel website’s highest honour, based on user reviews.
The gallery has maintained its ranking as the fourth best museum in TripAdvisor’s 2016 Travellers’ Choice ‘Top 10 Museums – Australia’.
In an even greater honour, the gallery was also ranked number nine in the ‘Top 25 Museums – South Pacific’ list in 2016 (it was in eighth spot in 2015).
Number one spot in that category was won this year by the Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa Tongarewa) in Wellington.
The top three on TripAdvisor’s 2016 Travellers’ Choice ‘Top 10 Museums – Australia’ list were National Anzac Centre, Albany, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne and Melbourne Museum.
Others in the top 10 were: Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney (five); Questacon, Canberra (six); Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin (seven); National Vietnam Veterans Museum, Newhaven (eight); Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane (nine); and Defence of Darwin Experience, Darwin (10).
Gallery director, Susi Muddiman said it was a ‘tremendous achievement for the gallery, for the second year running’.
‘It is very exciting. Reviews like this from our visitors, all unsolicited, indicate how many people are visiting our region and helping drive cultural tourism for the Tweed,’ Ms Muddiman said.
‘I am thrilled for all involved in making the gallery the vibrant destination it is – there’s really so much support from our volunteers, member of the Friends and Foundation every day, so this acclaim is a great boost for them too.
‘It’s also terrific recognition of Tweed Shire Council’s investment in one of the region’s most significant tourist attractions.
The TripAdvisor website says the ‘annual awards reflect ‘the best of the best’ for service, quality, and customer satisfaction, from hotels and accommodations to destinations, attractions, and even brands and products.’
‘Travelers’ Choice award winners are selected annually based on feedback from millions of TripAdvisor members. Travelers’ Choice awards single out not just popular choices, but truly exceptional ones that keep travelers coming back.’
To view the full lists, visit www.tripadvisor.com.au/TravelersChoice
I remember the vehement opposition to the gallery from Lyn Beck when she was a Tweed councillor. Same with the SCU campus in Tweed Heads. Both good for the economy of the Shire.
Pauline could take lessons from Lyn. Whatever it takes to get some votes, no matter how irresponsible or philistine.