2025 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards Finalists
Destination North Coast, in partnership with the NSW Tourism Association, is proud to reveal the 33 finalists across 11 categories in the 2025 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards. These outstanding operators reflect the diversity, creativity and dedication that define our region’s visitor economy.
| Aanuka Beach House |
| Barefoot Boats |
| Cape Byron Kayaks |
| Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Contained In Nimbin Accommodation |
| ecoAsis |
| Harwood Hotel |
| Jacaranda Festival Grafton |
| LightNUp Inc. |
| Northern Rivers Rail Trail |
| Pipit |
| Positive Energy Adventures & Retreats |
| Soul Surf School Pty Ltd |
| The Belfry Guesthouse |
| The Tyalgum Hotel |
| Ballina Shire Council |
| Better By Bike |
| Clarence Valley Council |
| City of Coffs Harbour |
| Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens |
| First Sun Holiday Park |
| Invercauld House |
| Lets Go Surfing |
| Mansfield Cottage Barrington |
| Park Beach Hotel Motel / HOEY MOEY |
| Port Macquarie Museum |
| Reflections Holidays |
| Spare Chef Catering |
| The Health Lodge |
| Tweed Tourism Company |
Winners will be announced at an Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner on 31 July 2025 at Elements of Byron.
Tickets are limited so book yours soon.
Good luck to all our finalists and see you in July.
Award categories:
This category recognises natural or built attractions that people visit for pleasure and interest.
This category recognises tourism leisure festivals, events and exhibitions that enhance the profile/awareness and appeal of the destination they are held in as well as creating economic impact, increased visitation and community involvement.
This category is open to (but not limited to) sporting, arts, historical, cultural, literary, humorous, culinary and general interest festivals, events and exhibitions.
This category recognises ecologically sustainable tourism businesses with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas. Entrants in this category foster environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation.
This category recognises tourism businesses that foster a greater understanding and appreciation of authentic culture, history, heritage and/or the arts.
This category recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism businesses that demonstrate authenticity and cultivate a greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, history and traditions.
This category recognises businesses that sell/provide goods or hire services which contribute to the tourism industry. The contribution made to the tourism industry can be economical (e.g. retail, galleries), experience based (traditionally non-tourism specific experiences e.g. shopping precincts) or service based (e.g. digital solutions for travellers or tourism businesses).
This category recognises venues who provide high quality facilities specifically designed for business visitors e.g. meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions.
This category recognises a business who provides touring and transport services.
This category recognises outdoor adventure tourism experiences that involve visitor participation and a personal challenge.
This category recognises all restaurants and catering services offering a tourism experience and/or servicing the tourism industry. It is not a food award but does recognise a significant contribution to tourism through the provision of food and beverage. This category is open to hotel or stand-alone restaurants, event caterers, pubs and cafés.
This category recognises wineries, distilleries and boutique breweries that offer a cellar door experience and create a significant contribution to tourism.
This category recognises tourism excellence in a caravan or holiday park. The focus of this award is on both the facilities and services that enhance the tourism experience.
This category is open to caravan or holiday parks that offer cabin and tenting accommodation and must meet a 3 – 5 Caravan & Holiday Park Star Rating Standard.
This category recognises hosted accommodation that offers a bed & breakfast, farm stay, cottage or other intimate accommodation experience and must meet a 3-5 Hosted Accommodation Star Rating Standard.
This category recognises tourism excellence in accommodation providing guests with non-serviced accommodation and the freedom of self-sufficiency. The focus of this award is on both the facilities and services that enhance the tourism experience.
This category is open to accommodation that offers a self-catered accommodation experience and meets a 3-5 Self Catering Accommodation Star Rating Standard.
For companies that are managing multiple self-contained properties it is recommended they focus on one of their properties.
This category recognises serviced accommodation that meets the 4 or 4.5 Star Rating Standard (pre-assessment or final rating). The focus of this award is on both the facilities and services that enhance the tourism experience.
This category is open to accommodation experiences that meets a 4 or 4.5 Star Rating Standard in any Star Rating category.
This category recognises serviced accommodation that meets the 5 Star Rating Standard (pre-assessment or final rating). The focus of this award is on both the facilities and services that enhance the tourism experience.
This category is open to accommodation experiences that meets a 5 Star Rating Standard in any Star Rating category.
This category recognises new tourism businesses that have commenced trading, visitation or service delivery during the qualifying period. This award recognises excellence in the planning and development of new tourism infrastructure and/or services. Tourism businesses that have commenced a new product or opened new infrastructure need to enter another category most applicable to the business.
This award recognises businesses that provide a tourism product, experience or service that goes above and beyond to accommodate and cater for people with disabilities and/or specific needs e.g. hearing impairment, low vision, limited mobility, wheelchair/scooter needs and/or cognitive impairment.
