The winners of the 2025 NSW Tourism Awards were announced at the NSW Tourism Gala celebration at Waterview in Bicentennial Park, Sydney – recognising outstanding commitment to tourism excellence.
Gold, silver and bronze awards were presented across 30 categories, celebrating excellence in business practices, visitor experiences and sustainability. In total, 78 winners were presented from 125 finalists, marking one of the largest and most competitive awards in recent years.
Across every category, a shared sense of community and excellence shone through – bringing together tourism operators from cities, coastlines, country towns and remote regions that embody the very best of what NSW has to offer.
With a legacy spanning more than 30 years, the NSW Tourism Awards are the state’s longest-running tourism honours and the only pathway to the Australian Tourism Awards. The program has earned a reputation for credibility, excellence and professionalism, underpinned by rigorous judging, and nationally recognised quality standards, which are backed by the Australian Government via Austrade.
The 2025 category winners include:
4-4.5 Star Accommodation
GOLD: Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific
SILVER: The Oriana Orange Retro Hotel & Resort
5 Star Accommodation
GOLD: Mt Hay Retreat
SILVER: Kalinya Estate
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences
GOLD: Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council
SILVER: Bundyi Cultural Tours
Adventure Tourism
GOLD: Oz Jet Boating
SILVER: Northern Rivers Rail Trail
BRONZE: Soul Surf School
Business Event Venues
GOLD: ICC Sydney
SILVER: Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific
BRONZE: Mantra on Salt Beach
Caravan & Holiday Parks
GOLD: Tathra Beach Eco Camp
SILVER: Ingenia Holidays Nambucca Heads
BRONZE: Holiday Haven Lake Tabourie
Cultural Tourism
GOLD: Old Dubbo Gaol – Dubbo Regional Council
SILVER: Port Macquarie Museum
BRONZE: Adam Edwards Photography
Ecotourism
GOLD: Vision Walks – Eco Tours
SILVER: Kestrel Nest EcoHut
BRONZE: Showtime Kayaking
Excellence in Accessible Tourism
GOLD: Blue Mountains Climbing School
Excellence in Food Tourism
GOLD: Tocumwal Chocolate School
SILVER: Italian Cooking Experience with Stefano Marvello
Festivals & Events
GOLD: Crank It Up Festival
SILVER: Narooma Oyster Festival
BRONZE: Savour The Tweed
Hosted Accommodation
GOLD: The Belfry Guesthouse
SILVER: Amaroo Valley Springs
BRONZE: The Health Lodge
Local Government Award for Tourism*
GOLD: City of Wagga Wagga
SILVER: Destination Central Coast
BRONZE: My Clarence Valley
Major Festivals & Events
GOLD: Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash
SILVER: Deni Ute Muster 2024
BRONZE: Bluesfest Byron Bay
Major Tour & Transport Operators
GOLD: ULTIMATE Travel
SILVER: Moonshadow – TQC Cruises
BRONZE: Brighton Coach & Tours
Major Tourist Attractions
GOLD: Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo
SILVER: 4WD Tours R Us
New Tourism Business
GOLD: The Silos Accommodation
SILVER: Foxdog Distillery + Brewery
BRONZE: Reflections Holidays - Wilderluxe Lake Keepit
Self Contained Accommodation
GOLD: Contained in Nimbin Accommodation
SILVER: Palmers Lane Estate
BRONZE: The Drawing Rooms of Berry
Service to Tourism Industry*
GOLD: Sparrowly Group
SILVER: The Hotel School Australia
BRONZE: Destination Research & Development
Take 3 For The Sea Award For Visitor Litter Prevention*
GOLD: Sydney By Kayak
SILVER: Symbio Wildlife Park
Tour & Transport Operators
GOLD: Vision Walks – Eco Tours
SILVER: Oz Jet Boating
BRONZE: 4WD Tours R Us
Tourism Marketing & Campaigns
GOLD: The Tweed Tourism Company
SILVER: Orange360 – Enjoy the Now
BRONZE: Visit Wollongong – Discover the Hidden Gems of the Illawarra
Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services
GOLD: Pipit Restaurant
SILVER: Harwood Hotel
BRONZE: Aanuka Beach House
Tourism Retail, Hire & Services
GOLD: Better by Bike
SILVER: City of Coffs Harbour
BRONZE: Outback Jess - Spotto Books
Tourism Wineries
GOLD: Printhie Wines
SILVER: Cupitt’s Estate
BRONZE: Courabyra Wines
Tourism Distilleries & Breweries**
GOLD: Jervis Bay Brewing Co
SILVER: Earth Beer Company
Tourist Attractions
GOLD: Northern Rivers Rail Trail
SILVER: Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens
BRONZE: Old Dubbo Gaol – Dubbo Regional Council
Unique Accommodation
GOLD: Sierra Escape
SILVER: Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo
BRONZE: Wilga Station
Visitor Information Services
GOLD: Bathurst Visitor Information Centre
SILVER: Destination Central Coast
BRONZE: Hunter Valley Information Centre
The Outstanding Contribution by an Individual accolade was posthumously awarded to Rose Wright, Founder and Managing Director of Regionality, in recognition of her exceptional impact on the tourism industry.*
The Tourism Stars**, are awarded to organisations who have showed a special edge, catching the attention of the judges because of their commitment, innovative approach and resilience. The 2025 Tourism Stars are Outback Jess – Spotto Books, Starscape Australia, Whale Tales Whale Watching Sydney and Dominic May of Coast XP.
NSW Tourism Association also proudly recognised three Hall of Fame entrants that have won the same category in 2023, 2024 and 2025; congratulations to Bathurst Visitor Information Centre, Sydney By Kayak and The Tweed Tourism Company.
* NSW Tourism Awards category only. Does not proceed to Australian Tourism Awards
** NSW Tourism Awards sub-category only. Does not proceed to Australian Tourism Awards
