The tourism industry recognised and celebrated the state’s most outstanding products and services last night at the 2012 NSW Tourism Awards. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists for their success and dedication to the NSW tourism industry.

Please see listed below the winners for each category.

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 (Blue Mountains)
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 (Blue Mountains)
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 (Blue Mountains)
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) - Hall of Fame recipient
Silver Award:  Life’s An Adventure (Blue Mountains)
Bronze Award: Boutique Tours Australia – Gordon (Davidson)

Adventure Tourism

Gold Award: Adventure Underground – Jenolan Caves (Blue Mountains)
Silver Award:  Life’s An Adventure (Blue Mountains)
Bronze Award:  TreeTop Adventure Park Wyong Creek (Central Coast)

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) – Hall of Fame recipient
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) - Hall of Fame recipient
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) - Hall of Fame recipient
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) - Hall of Fame recipient
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) - Hall of Fame recipient
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: GolGol Hotel -  GolGol(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)