NSW Top Tourism Town Awards

The NSW Top Tourism Town awards are searching for the best towns across the state, as they compete to be crowned the best in their class. 

The awards program, run by the NSW Tourism Association, brings a focus to regional tourism highlighting gems from coast to country, outback, mountains and river communities, and the tour guides that bring these towns to life. 

Local Councils, Accredited Visitor Information Centres and Local Tourism Associations are encouraged to nominate their town, followed by submitting an entry showcasing an itinerary, a video and a website with bookable product. 

Towns can enter one of three categories depending on their size: 

• Top Tourism Town Award – Population over 5,000 

• Small Tourism Town Award – Population between 1,500 – 5,000 

• Tiny Tourism Town Award – Population below 1,500 

All gold category winners go on to compete in Australia's Top Tourism Town in this national program to celebrate the best of the best!

• Nominations Open: Thursday 11 December 2025
• Nominations Close: Thursday 26 February
• Submissions Close: Wednesday 25 March
• Public Voting Opens: Wednesday 1 April
• Public Voting Closes: Sunday 3 May
• Finalists Announced: Wednesday 6 May
• Winners Announced: Tuesday 28 May at LGNSW Destination & Visitor Economy Conference, Maitland
• Australian Top Tourism Town Winners Announced: Early September, Parliament House, Canberra

Nomination Fee:

• $350 + GST per entry or $262.50 + GST NSW Tourism Association Members rate
• Nomination fees should be paid at time of nomination and are required to proceed into the awards program

All submissions must be completed via the Quality Tourism Framework portal.