Eco tours, giant crystals, and a rail trail have put the North Coast in the spotlight, with local operators hauling home 24 wins, including 10 gold, at the 2026 NSW Tourism Awards.
Eighteen North Coast tourism operators and industry partners shared the haul across 15 categories at ICC Sydney on Monday, 9 November.
The competition was fierce. Just 123 finalists were picked from 210 nominations across 30 categories, and 35 of them came from the North Coast.
Vision Walks – Eco Tours led the charge with a stunning three gold medals. It won Ecotourism, Tour & Transport Operators, and the Take 3 For The Sea Award for Visitor Litter Prevention.
Mullumbimby’s Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens was close behind, grabbing two golds in Excellence in Accessible Tourism and Tourist Attractions.
“From guided eco tours and accessible attractions to live music and small guesthouses, the North Coast’s 24 wins reflect the range and quality of experiences visitors can enjoy across our region,” said Destination North Coast General Manager Michael Thurston.
Northern Rivers Rail Trail won gold in Major Tourist Attractions and silver in Excellence in Accessible Tourism.
Tweed Eco Cruises was hot on the heels of Vision Walks, taking silver in both Ecotourism and Tour & Transport Operators.
In Coffs Harbour, The Hoey Moey, Park Beach Hotel Motel took silver in Festivals & Events for its Tidal Sounds Music Festival, plus bronze in Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services.
Groovin the Moo Lismore, The Belfry Guesthouse, Better by Bike, and Clarence Valley Council’s My Clarence Valley also brought home gold.
“Behind every award are people who know their communities, take pride in welcoming visitors and keep finding ways to make each visit better,” Thurston said.
The night held more big moments beyond the medal tally.
The Tweed Tourism Company received its NSW Tourism Awards Hall of Fame trophy after winning gold in Tourism Marketing & Campaigns three years running, in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
And in a posthumous honour, Cape Byron Kayaks founder Alice Livingston was inducted into the NSW Tourism Leaders Hall of Fame for her outstanding contribution to Byron Bay’s tourism industry.
Thurston said the value of the awards went well beyond the trophies.
“Entering the Awards gives operators a chance to step back from the day-to-day, see what’s working and decide where to improve; and visitors benefit from that work long after the event,” he said.
Service to Tourism Industry and the Take 3 For The Sea Award are NSW-only categories and do not proceed to the Australian Tourism Awards.
The North Coast winners
- Cultural Tourism: Silver, Yarrila Arts and Museum; Bronze, Port Macquarie Museum
- Ecotourism: Gold, Vision Walks – Eco Tours; Silver, Tweed Eco Cruises
- Excellence in Accessible Tourism: Gold, Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens; Silver, Northern Rivers Rail Trail
- Festivals & Events: Gold, Groovin the Moo Lismore; Silver, Tidal Sounds Music Festival – The Hoey Moey, Park Beach Hotel Motel
- Hosted Accommodation: Gold, The Belfry Guesthouse
- Major Tourist Attractions: Gold, Northern Rivers Rail Trail; Bronze, The Big Banana Fun Park
- Self Contained Accommodation: Silver, The Ridge Gloucester
- Service To Tourism Industry: Gold, My Clarence Valley – Clarence Valley Council
- Take 3 For The Sea Award for Visitor Litter Prevention: Gold, Vision Walks – Eco Tours
- Tour & Transport Operators: Gold, Vision Walks – Eco Tours; Silver, Tweed Eco Cruises
- Tourism Marketing & Campaigns: Silver, Destination Central Coast – Central Coast Council
- Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services: Bronze, The Hoey Moey, Park Beach Hotel Motel
- Tourism Retail, Hire & Services: Gold, Better by Bike; Silver, Coffs Coast Accommodation; Highly Commended, My Dream Adventures
- Tourism Wineries: Silver, Mograni Creek Estate
- Tourist Attractions: Gold, Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens; Bronze, Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary
“Congratulations to everyone who took the time to put their business forward,” Thurston said.
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