From the outback to the coast, the state’s leading tourism operators have been celebrated for their commitment to exceptional visitor experiences, with Northern Rivers attractions taking out multiple gongs last night in the 2026 NSW Tourism Awards.
Hosted by NSW Tourism Association, honours were presented across 30 categories, with 73 winners named at the celebration held at ICC Sydney.
Northern Rivers Rail Trail won gold in the Major Tourist Attractions category, with Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens, Groovin the Moo Lismore, Vision Walks Eco Tours and Better By Bike also taking out gold in their respective categories.
Crystal Castle picked up a second gold for Excellence in Accessible Tourism, with the Northern Rivers winning Silver in that category.
Rigorous assessment
NSW Tourism Association CEO Natalie Godward said, ‘There is so much more to running a successful tourism business than what people see when they visit.
‘Behind every great experience are people who work incredibly hard, who care about what they do and who are constantly looking for ways to make their business better.
‘These businesses have earned their place among the state’s leading tourism businesses through a rigorous assessment process. That is a significant achievement and one they should be immensely proud of.
‘It’s been a challenging year for our industry however the passion and commitment across our operators hasn’t wavered. Seeing what the industry can achieve and the contribution they make to their communities, is incredible and something worth celebrating.’
Accessible tourism was a standout in 2026, with seven finalists in the Excellence in Accessible Tourism category, the highest number in recent years.
Ecotourism also attracted a strong field, reflecting growing interest in responsible travel and experiences that minimise environmental impact.
This year, the NSW Tourism Association expanded its entrant support program, with a quarter of entrants taking up the new personalised mentoring service and over 50 per cent participating in entrant support webinars and regional programs.
‘The whole program is more than just an award. The process provides businesses the opportunity to step back from the day-to-day to work on their business, reflect on how far they have come and plan where they are going next,’ Miss Godward said.
Each award entrant met nationally recognised industry standards, with submissions assessed by a panel of 50 judges alongside a consumer review score component. The judging process was also subject to extensive internal verification and an independent external audit review by BYRONS, providing further assurance of the integrity of the results.
Regional NSW was strongly represented, with 19 of the 30 Gold awards going to regional operators, including 10 on the North Coast.
High bar
Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper congratulated the winners and finalists, saying they reflected the quality and ambition driving the state’s visitor economy.
‘The NSW Tourism Awards set a high bar, and every winner should be very proud of what they have achieved.
‘From the city to the coast and the bush, these operators are telling the stories of their local communities, bringing visitors through the doors, supporting local jobs and putting money back into towns right across NSW.’
The Outstanding Contribution by an Individual award was presented to Steve Hinks, Director at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, acknowledging exceptional contribution to the NSW tourism industry.
For eligible Gold winners, the Awards provide a pathway to represent NSW at the Australian Tourism Awards, where they will compete against leading tourism businesses from other states and territories for national honours.
The Australian Tourism Awards winners will be announced at the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, Victoria on 19 February 2027.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
