2011 NSW Tourism Awards Winners

From adventure pursuits such as Tri State Safaris in the outback and Sydney Harbour YHA backpacker accommodation, to Indigenous Tourism leaders Coffs Coast Aboriginal Discovery and major tourist attraction The Magic of Jenolan, NSW’s most innovative and outstanding tourism businesses were recognised last month in Sydney as the winners of the 2011 NSW Tourism Awards.

Recognising 30 categories of tourism operators from NSW’s exciting tourism industry, the winners were judged from hundreds of entries covering restaurant and catering services, accommodation, tourism education and training, heritage and culturaltourism, festivals and events.

Now in its 22nd year, the NSW Tourism Awards managed by Tourism Industry Council NSW supports the development of the tourism industry which contributes $28.7 billion per year to the NSW economy.

The depth of offering and professional calibre of product has strongly grown since the awards began and Ken Corbett, Chairman, Tourism Industry Council NSW, said that the range of entries symbolises that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well, especially in the many small businesses that make up the industry.   

“Small businesses are a vital element to the NSW tourism landscape. The value that they bring to providing employment opportunities to their regions cannot be underestimated.

“This year the winners demonstrated an enormous amount of pride in what they do; this exceptional pride in their product is exemplified in the innovative thinking and dedication to client experiences that we see all around the state,” said Mr Corbett.

Jon Hutchinson, outgoing CEO of Business Events Sydney was recognised for his Outstanding Contribution to Tourism and Lori Moddle was recognised for her Outstanding Contribution to Regional Tourism.

The Young Achiever award was presented to Ollie Philpot from the Central Coast.

The 2011 NSW Tourism Awards were announced at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre in front of 700 people. The NSW Tourism Award winners will automatically become finalists in the National Tourism Awards, to be held in Cairns in March 2012.

The Full List of Winners:

Major Tourist Attractions

Gold Award - Taronga Zoo (Sydney)
http://taronga.org.au/taronga-zoo
Silver Award - BridgeClimb Sydney (Sydney)
http://www.bridgeclimb.com/
Bronze Award - Cape Byron State Conservation Area (North Coast – Mid North Coast & Northern Rivers)
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/

Tourist Attractions

Gold Award - The Magic of Jenolan, Jenolan Caves (Blue Mountains)
http://www.jenolancaves.org.au/
Silver Award - Mogo Zoo (South Coast)
http://www.mogozoo.com.au/
Bronze Award - Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures (Central Coast)
http://www.glenworth.com.au/

Major Festivals and Events

Gold Award - Bluesfest Byron Bay (North Coast – Mid North Coast & Northern Rivers)
http://www.bluesfest.com.au/
Silver Award - Sydney Royal Easter Show (Sydney)
http://www.eastershow.com.au/
Bronze Award - 2011 Urban Hotel Group Ironman Australia Port Macquarie (North Coast – Mid North Coast & Northern Rivers) http://www.portmacquarieinfo.com.au/

Festival and Events

Gold Award -
NSW Caravan, Camping, RV and Holiday Supershow (Greater Sydney and Surrounds)
http://www.caravan-camping.com.au/
Silver Award - Christmas Lights Spectacular (Hunter)
http://www.hvg.com.au/
Bronze Award - Deniliquin Ute Muster and Play on the Plains Festival (Riverina)
http://www.deniutemuster.com.au/

Ecotourism

Gold Award - Lane Cove River Tourist Park (Sydney)
http://www.lcrtp.com.au/
Silver Award - The Ancient Underworld- Jenolan Caves (Blue Mountains)
http://www.jenolancaves.org.au/
Bronze Award - Dorrigo National Park (North Coast – Mid North Coast & Northern Rivers)
http://www.nswnationalparks.com.au/

Heritage and Cultural Tourism

Gold Award - Written in Stone- Jenolan Caves (Blue Mountains)
http://www.jenolancaves.org.au/
Silver Award - Blue Mountains Walking Tracks (Blue Mountains)
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/
Bronze Award - Avoca Beach Picture Theatre (Central Coast)
http://www.avocabeachpicturetheatre.com.au/

Indigenous Tourism

Gold Award - Coffs Coast Aboriginal Discovery (North Coast – Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers)
http://www.nswnationalparks.com.au/
Silver Award - Sculptures in the Scrub (New England NW)

Specialised Tourism Services

Gold Award - Newcastle Airport (Hunter)
http://www.newcastleairport.com.au/
Silver Award - Bentonu – incorporating Bent on Food/Bent on Life (North Coast – Mid North Coast & Northern Rivers)
http://www.bentonfood.com.au/
Bronze Award - Spa Sublime (Blue Mountains)
http://www.spasublime.com.au/

Visitor Information and Services -The Rod Murdoch Memorial Award
Gold Award - Greater Port Macquarie Visitor Information Centre (North Coast – Mid North Coast & Northern Rivers)
Silver Award - Lismore and Nimbin Visitor Information Centres (Northern Rivers)
http://www.visitlismore.com.au/
Bronze Award - The Next Revolution: Visitor Services 2.0 (South Coast)
http://www.visitwollongong.com.au/

Meetings and Business Tourism
Gold Award - Shoal Bay Resort & Spa (North Coast – Mid North Coast & Northern Rivers)
http://www.shoalbayresort.com/
Silver Award - Mercure Kooindah Waters (Central Coast)
http://www.kooindahwaters.com.au/
Bronze Award - Old Leura Dairy (Blue Mountains)
http://www.oldleuradairy.com/

Major Tour and/or Transport Operators
Gold Award - Moonshadow Cruises (North Coast – Mid North Coast & Northern Rivers)
http://www.moonshadow.com.au/
Silver Award - AAT Kings Sydney Day Tours (Greater Sydney and Surrounds)
Bronze Award - Northern Highland Travel (Hunter)
http://www.nht.com.au/

Tour and/or Transport Operators
Gold Award - Tri State Safaris (Outback NSW)
http://www.tristate.com.au/
Silver Award - Activity Tours Australia – Hunter Valley Tour (Hunter)
http://www.activitytours.com.au/
Bronze Award - Life’s An Adventure (Blue Mountains)
http://www.lifesanadventure.com.au/

Adventure Tourism
Gold Award - Tri State Safaris (Outback NSW)
http://www.tristate.com.au/
Silver Award - Adventure Underground – Jenolan Caves (Blue Mountains)
http://www.jenolancaves.org.au/
Bronze Award - Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures (Central Coast)
http://www.glenworth.com.au/

Tourism Marketing
Gold Award - The Legendary Pacific Coast (North Coast – Mid North Coast & Northern Rivers)
http://www.pacificcoast.com.au/
Silver Award - New England North West Drive Campaign (New England NW)
Bronze Award - The NSW Caravan & Camping Holiday and Touring Guide 2011 (Greater Sydney and Surrounds)

Tourism Education and Training
Gold Award - Travel 21fiftythree (Greater Sydney and Surrounds)
http://wsi.tafensw.edu.au/colleges-and-specialist-centres/the-hills/

Silver Award - Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School (Blue Mountains)
http://www.hotelschool.com.au/

Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services
Gold Award - Margan Restaurant (Hunter)
http://www.margan.com.au/
Silver Award - Byron Beach Cafe (North Coast – Mid North Coast & Northern Rivers)
http://www.byronbeachcafe.com.au/
Bronze Award - The Corner Restaurant Cafe (North Coast – Mid North Coast & Northern Rivers)
http://www.cornerrestaurant.com.au/

Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Boutique Breweries
Gold Award - Wyndham Estate Winery (Hunter)
http://www.wyndhamestate.com/
Silver Award - Silos Estate (South Coast)
http://www.thesilos.com/

Tourist and Caravan Parks
Gold Award - BIG4 North Star Holiday Resort & Caravan Park (North Coast – Mid North Coast & Northern Rivers)http://www.northstar.com.au/
Silver Award - Lane Cove River Tourist Park (Sydney)
http://www.lcrtp.com.au/
Bronze Award - BIG4 Deniliquin Holiday Park (Riverina)
http://www.big4deniliquin.com/

Backpacker Accommodation
Gold Award - Sydney Harbour YHA (Sydney)
http://www.yha.com.au/

Hosted Accommodation
Gold Award - Mollymook Beach Waterfront (South Coast)
http://www.mollymookbeachwaterfront.com.au/
Silver Award - Ossian Hall Valley Retreat (Greater Sydney and Surrounds)
http://www.ossianhall.com.au/
Bronze Award - Eldee Station (Outback NSW)
http://www.eldeestation.com/

Unique Accommodation
Gold Award - Somewhere Unique – An Escape for 2 in the Hunter (Hunter)
http://www.somewhereunique.com.au/
Silver Award - All Seasons Houseboats (The Murray)
http://www.allseasonshouseboats.com.au/
Bronze Award - Banjos Bushland Retreat (Hunter)
http://www.banjosretreat.com.au/

Standard Accommodation
Gold Award - Scone Motor Inn (Hunter)
http://www.sconemotorinn.com.au/
Silver Award - Ibis Sydney Darling Harbour (Sydney)
Bronze Award - The Old Vic Inn Historic Guesthouse (Central NSW)
http://www.oldvicinn.com.au/

Deluxe Accommodation
Gold Award - Macquarie Waters Boutique Apartment Hotel (North Coast – Mid North Coast & Northern Rivers)
http://www.mwaters.com.au/
Silver Award - The Observatory Port Macquarie (North Coast – Mid North Coast & Northern Rivers)
http://www.observatory.net.au/
Bronze Award - Shoal Bay Resort & Spa (North Coast – Mid North Coast & Northern Rivers)
http://www.shoalbayresort.com/

Luxury Accommodation
Gold Award - Sheraton on the Park (Sydney)
www.sheraton.com/sydney
Silver Award - Chateau Elan Hunter Valley (Hunter)
http://www.chateauelan.com.au/

New Tourism Development
Gold Award - Tandara (Sydney)
http://www.lcrtp.com.au/
Silver Award - Savannah Visitor Plaza and Free Access Area at Taronga Western Plains Zoo (Central NSW)
http://www.taronga.org.au/
Bronze Award - Corowa Whisky and Chocolate Venue (Riverina)
http://www.corowawhiskyandchocolate.com.au/

Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism
Gold Award - Lane Cove River Tourist Park (Sydney)
http://www.lcrtp.com.au/
Silver Award - Old Leura Dairy (Blue Mountains)
http://www.oldleuradairy.com/
Bronze Award - Silos Estate (South Coast)
http://www.thesilos.com/

Outstanding Contribution by an Individual
Jon Hutchison (Sydney)

Outstanding Contribution to Regional Tourism by an Individual
Lori Modde (Outback NSW)
http://www.lorickmanagement.com.au/

Young Achiever in Tourism Award
Ollie Philpot (Central Coast)

Tourist Pubs
Gold Award - Shoal Bay Country Club (North Coast – Mid North Coast & Northern Rivers)
http://www.shoalbayresort.com/
Silver Award - Morundah Hotel (Riverina)
Bronze Award - Gol Gol Hotel (The Murray)
http://www.golgolpub.com.au/

The Sun-Herald Readers’ Choice Award
Mogo Zoo (South Coast)
http://www.mogozoo.com.au/