Brought back to the region by the NSW Business Chamber, Destination NSW and Regional Tourism Awards Inc., and co-hosted by Destination North Coast and Kempsey Shire Council, the evening of 1 August saw leading tourism businesses, events and visitor experience providers don their finest threads to come together to celebrate local success.
Winners in 14 categories were announced at the gala awards ceremony from finalists including local councils, tourism businesses, events, restaurants and accommodation providers. More than 150 industry representatives gathered in stunning South West Rocks to see who would take home the coveted awards and to witness the induction of two businesses into the Hall of Fame.
Festivals and Events
Gold: Eat the Street Lismore
Silver: Woolgoolga Curryfest
Bronze: Grafton Jacaranda Festival Inc.
Finalist: Another Tasty Event
Finalist: Volkswagen Spectacular
Cultural Tourism
Gold: Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail
Silver: Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours
Specialised Tourism Services
Gold: Blue Ginger Picnics
Silver: I Love Bello Shire
Bronze: Arts Mid North Coast Inc
Business Event Venues
Gold: Elements of Byron
Destination Marketing
Gold: Coffs Harbour City Council
Finalist: Clarence Valley Council
Finalist: South West Rocks Country Club
Ecotourism
Gold: Vision Walks – Eco Tours
Silver: Koala Preservation Society
Adventure Tourism
Gold: Coffs Coast Surf Tours
Caravan and Holiday Parks
Gold: Reflections Holiday Parks Seal Rocks
Silver: BIG4 Great Lakes at Forster-Tuncurry
Bronze: BIG4 Sunshine Resort, South West Rocks
Finalist: Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park
Hosted Accommodation
Gold: Telegraph Retreat Cottages
Self-Contained Accommodation
Gold: Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga
Silver: Macquarie Waters Boutique Apartment Hotel
Standard Accommodation
Gold: The Observatory Holiday Apartments
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism
Gold: Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours
Silver: Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation
New Tourism Business
Gold: Table Under A Tree
Excellence in Accessible Tourism
Gold: Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga
Hall of Fame Inductees
Tourist Attractions – Sealy Lookout, Orara East State Forest
Ecotourism – Byron Bay Eco Cruises
