State & National Tourism Awards

2025 Australian Tourism Awards

Two North Coast winners of the 2025 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards were announced in Perth on Friday 6 March, 2026. These winners were among seven North Coast finalists across eight categories, proudly representing the region alongside the very best of Australia’s tourism businesses and visitor experiences.

Congratulations to: 

Northern Rivers Rail Trail – Silver
Category: Tourist Attractions

Contained In Nimbin – Bronze
Category: Self-Contained Accommodation

Winners and finalists were selected from the winners of the 2025 NSW Tourism Awards, who automatically qualified to represent NSW at the national awards.

The North Coast finalists were:

Northern Rivers Rail Trail — Finalist
Category: Tourist Attractions

Vision Walks – Eco Tours — Finalist
Categories: Ecotourism and Tour & Transport Operators

Better By Bike — Finalist
Category: Tourism Retail, Hire & Services

The Tweed Tourism Company — Finalist
Category: Tourism Marketing & Campaigns

Pipit Restaurant — Finalist
Category: Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services

The Belfry Guesthouse — Finalist
Category: Hosted Accommodation

Contained In Nimbin — Finalist
Category: Self-Contained Accommodation

 

2025 NSW Tourism Awards

The NSW Tourism Awards recognise outstanding commitment to tourism excellence across the state. The 2025 Awards Gala was held at Waterview in Bicentennial Park, Sydney, on 27 November 2025, bringing together hundreds of industry representatives to celebrate the strength and success of NSW’s tourism sector.

Gold, silver and bronze awards were presented across 30 categories, highlighting excellence in business practice, visitor experience and sustainability. In total, 78 winners were recognised from 125 finalists, making it one of the largest and most competitive programs in recent years.

Twenty-two North Coast operators and industry partners took out wins across 16 categories – including a clean sweep in Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services.

The 2025 North Coast category winners included:

Adventure Tourism
SILVER: Northern Rivers Rail Trail
BRONZE: Soul Surf School

Business Event Venues
BRONZE: Mantra on Salt Beach

Caravan & Holiday Parks
SILVER: Ingenia Holidays Nambucca Heads

Cultural Tourism
SILVER: Port Macquarie Museum

Ecotourism
GOLD: Vision Walks – Eco Tours

Festivals & Events
BRONZE: Savour The Tweed

Hosted Accommodation
GOLD: The Belfry Guesthouse
BRONZE: The Health Lodge

Local Government Award for Tourism*
BRONZE: My Clarence Valley

Major Festivals & Events
BRONZE: Bluesfest Byron Bay

Self Contained Accommodation
GOLD: Contained in Nimbin Accommodation

Tour & Transport Operators
GOLD: Vision Walks – Eco Tours

Tourism Marketing & Campaigns
GOLD: The Tweed Tourism Company

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

Tourism Distilleries & Breweries**
SILVER: Earth Beer Company

Tourist Attractions
GOLD: Northern Rivers Rail Trail
SILVER: Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens

NSW Tourism Association also proudly recognised three Hall of Fame entrants that have won the same category in 2023, 2024 and 2025 including 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