The achievements of the State's Tourism industry were celebrated overnight during a gala ceremony to mark the 2012 NSW Tourism Awards.
Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris, congratulated the winners and praised the innovation and dedication of the industry.
"It was my honour to be present at the 2012 NSW Tourism Awards and to celebrate the hard work of the individuals and organisations who strive for excellence in this most important industry," said Minister Souris.
"The tourism industry contributes $20.2 billion per year in international and domestic overnight visitor expenditure to the NSW economy and tourism employment accounts for one in every 22 jobs in NSW."
"The NSW Tourism Awards is an important opportunity to recognise the achievements of the industry and those who strive for success and the shared common goal of ensuring NSW is the number one visitor destination in Australia."
Chairman of the Tourism Industry Council NSW, Mr Ken Corbett congratulated the 2012 winners for building upon the standards of quality in years gone by.
"These winners are a strong reminder of the depth of product quality that exists within our state and I look forward to seeing NSW winners continue their success at the Australian Tourism Awards in Hobart in February 2013".
Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer, Sandra Chipchase, said the Awards were a wonderful testament to the diversity and strength of the industry.
"The Awards celebrate not only the winners but the finalists from across the State who were nominated in the 2012 NSW Tourism Awards, which is a major achievement in itself," said Ms Chipchase.
The NSW Tourism Awards recognise excellence and outstanding achievement in tourism across 31categories from accommodation, festivals and events, heritage and cultural tourism, tourism education and training, and restaurant and catering services.
The 2012 NSW Tourism Awards were announced at La Montage, Lilyfield, in front of 650 people. The NSW Tourism Award winners will automatically become finalists in the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, to be held in Hobart in February 2013.
THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS
Major Tourist Attractions
Gold Award - Blue Mountains National Park - Katoomba (Blue Mountains)
Silver Award - Sydney Tower Eye (Sydney)
Tourist Attractions
Gold Award - Cape Byron State Conservation Area - Byron Bay (Ballina)
Silver Award - The Magic of Jenolan - Jenolan Caves (Bathurst)
Bronze Award - Mogo Zoo (Mogo, Bega)
Major Festivals and Events
Gold Award - 2012 Tamworth Country Music Festival (Tamworth)
Silver Award - The 23rd Annual Bluesfest Byron Bay (Ballina)
Bronze Award - Sydney Royal Easter Show - Sydney Olympic Park (Strathfield)
Festivals and Events
Gold Award - Deni Ute Muster - Deniliquin (Murray-Darling)
Silver Award - NSW Caravan, Camping, RV and Holiday Supershow - Harris Park (Parramatta)
Bronze Award - Festival of the Sun (Port Macquarie)
Ecotourism
Gold Award - Jenolan Caves - Ancient Underworld -Jenolan Caves (Bathurst)
Silver Award - Life's An Adventure (Blue Mountains)
Bronze Award - Sydney Coast Walks (Cronulla)
Heritage and Cultural Tourism
Gold Award - Jenolan Caves - Written In Stone -Jenolan Caves (Bathurst)
Silver Award - Blue Mountains Walking Tracks - Katoomba (Blue Mountains)
Bronze Award - Glasshouse Port Macquarie (Port Macquarie)
Indigenous Tourism
Gold Award - Mutawintji Eco Tours/Tri State Safaris - Broken Hill (Murray-Darling)
Highly Commended - Brewarrina Visitor Information & Cultural Centre - Brewarrina (Barwon)
Specialised Tourism Services
Gold Award - Business Events Sydney (Sydney)
Silver Award - Spa Sublime - Katoomba (Blue Mountains)
Bronze Award - Newcastle Airport - Raymond Terrace (Port Stephens)
Visitor Information and Services
Gold Award - Moree Visitor Information Centre - Moree (Barwon)
Silver Award - Clarence River Tourism - Grafton (Clarence)
Bronze Award - Greater Port Macquarie Visitor Information Centre (Port Macquarie)
Business Tourism
Gold Award - Mercure Kooindah Waters Central Coast (Wyong)
Silver Award - Business Events Sydney (Sydney)
Bronze Award - Rydges Port Macquarie (Port Macquarie)
Major Tour and/or Transport Operators
Gold Award - Moonshadow Cruises - Nelson Bay (Port Stephens)
Tour and/or Transport Operators
Gold Award - Tri State Safaris - Broken Hill (Murray-Darling)
Silver Award - Life's An Adventure (Blue Mountains)
Bronze Award - Boutique Tours Australia - Gordon (Davidson)
Adventure Tourism
Gold Award - Adventure Underground - Jenolan Caves (Bathurst)
Silver Award - Life's An Adventure (Blue Mountains)
Bronze Award - TreeTop Adventure Park Central Coast - Bulahdelah (Myall Lakes)
Tourism Marketing
Gold Award - Brand Hunter Valley - Pokolbin (Cessnock)
Silver Award - The Legendary Pacific Coast - Nambucca Heads (Port Macquarie)
Bronze Award - Riverina Visiting Friends & Relatives Publicity Program - Marrar (Wagga Wagga)
Tourism Education and Training
Gold Award - Travel 21fiftythree, Western Sydney Institute, TAFE NSW (Baulkham Hills)
Silver Award - Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School - Leura (Blue Mountains)
Bronze Award - TAFE North Coast Institute - Tourism Events and Hospitality Section -Alstonville (Ballina)
Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services
Gold Award - Margan Restaurant - Broke (Upper Hunter)
Silver Award - Byron Beach Café - Byron Bay (Ballina)
Bronze Award - Bent on Food (Wingham, Myall Lakes)
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries
Gold Award - Wyndham Estate Winery - Dalwood (Cessnock)
Silver Award - Bimbadgen - Branxton (Cessnock)
Bronze Award - Lowe Wines - Mudgee (Orange)
Tourist and Caravan Parks
Gold Award - BIG4 Deniliquin Holiday Park - Deniliquin (Murray-Darling)
Silver Award - NRMA Merimbula Beach Holiday Park - Merimbula (Bega)
Bronze Award - Nambucca River Tourist Park M - Macksville (Oxley)
Backpacker Accommodation
Gold Award - Sydney Harbour YHA (Sydney)
Hosted Accommodation
Gold Award - Mollymook Beach Waterfront - Mollymook (South Coast)
Silver Award - Eldee Station - Silverton (Murray-Darling)
Bronze Award - Honeycomb Valley Farm - Nabiac (Myall Lakes)
Unique Accommodation
Gold Award - Somewhere Unique - Wollombi (Cessnock)
Silver Award - DAG Sheep Station (Tamworth)
Bronze Award - Diamond Waters Treehouse Retreat - Laurieton (Port Macquarie)
Standard Accommodation
Gold Award - Scone Motor Inn - Scone (Upper Hunter)
Silver Award - Ibis Sydney on Darling Harbour (Sydney)
Deluxe Accommodation
Gold Award - The Observatory Port Macquarie (Port Macquarie)
Silver Award - The Vintry - Pokolbin (Cessnock)
Bronze Award - Macquarie Waters Boutique Apartment Hotel (Port Macquarie)
Luxury Accommodation
Gold Award - Sheraton on the Park (Sydney)
Silver Award - Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant & Spa - Killcare Heights (Terrigal)
Bronze Award - Mountain Whispers - Roselands - Leura (Blue Mountains)
New Tourism Development
Gold Award - Madame Tussauds (Sydney)
Silver Award - Newcastle Museum - Honeysuckle (Newcastle)
Bronze Award - Green Gully Track - Walcha (Northern Tablelands)
Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism
Gold Award - The Observatory Port Macquarie (Port Macquarie)
Tourist Pubs
Gold Award - Gol Gol Hotel - Gol Gol (Murray-Darling)
Silver Award - Shoal Bay Country Club Hotel - Shoal Bay (Port Stephens)
Local Government Award for Tourism
Gold Award - Port Macquarie Hastings Council (Port Macquarie)
Silver Award - Narrabri Shire Council Visitor Information Centre - Narrabri (Barwon)
Bronze Award - Junee Tourism - Junee (Murrumbidgee)
Outstanding Contribution to Regional Tourism
Mrs Jenny-Lee Stefas, Tourism Manager, Sutherland Shire Council (Heathcote)
Outstanding Contribution to Tourism by an Individual
Mr Philip Hele, General Manager, Hunter Resort - Pokolbin (Cessnock)
Lifetime Contribution Award
Mr Barry Baillie
Sun Herald Reader's Choice Award
Harry Potter - The Exhibition, Powerhouse Museum (Sydney)
Young Achiever in Tourism Award
Ms Belinda Stapleton, Managing Director, Spicers Vineyards Estate - Pokolbin (Cessnock)
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