The highly anticipated second annual AgriTourism Summit will be held in the vibrant Orange region of NSW on 12-13 August 2025.
The event will feature insights from industry leaders, dynamic farmer-led panel discussions and bountiful networking opportunities, all designed to inspire, inform and equip attendees with the tools to develop and enhance their agritourism offerings.
The theme for this year’s summit, “AgriTourism Unlocked: Harvesting New Opportunities”, will focus on the untapped potential of agritourism in Australia, including its ability to provide drought-proofing strategies and serve as a sustainable roadmap for the future of rural communities.
Following the success of the inaugural summit in 2024, organisers have increased the event capacity, with 200 plus delegates expected to attend.
The conference program is being curated by Claire Taylor, Founder of Agvocacy Consulting and a Nuffield Farming Scholar from Scotland, who has relocated to Orange. With deep farming roots and a passion for advancing rural issues, Taylor was involved in developing Scotland’s agritourism movement and is excited to help drive conversations forward in Australia.
AgriTourism Summit organiser Gary FitzRoy, who also runs his own agritourism operation offering on-farm accommodation, said: “We’re delighted to bring the summit to Orange after a fantastic inaugural event last year in the Southern Highlands.
"Orange is quickly establishing itself as one of Australia’s top agritourism destinations, making it the perfect location to explore how we can further develop this sector nationally and help farmers diversify their offerings.
“In Australia, where farmers face the daily challenges of climate extremes, agritourism presents a drought-proofing strategy and a sustainable solution for the future. However, developing and scaling the sector will require supportive government policy and a roadmap for growth. This year, we want to delve into how we can unlock agritourism’s potential, break through some of the barriers which exist and come up with a sector-led action plan to present to policy makers.”
New to this year’s program, delegates will have the opportunity to attend breakout sessions, focusing on a range of relevant topics—from navigating red tape to building a brand in the agritourism space.
The first day will conclude with a ‘Welcome to Orange’ networking event at Banksia, one of the region’s premier venues, where local produce will be showcased for delegates to enjoy.
On day two, delegates will take part in immersive farm tours organised by destination marketing organisation Orange360, offering an opportunity to visit local agritourism hotspots and gain invaluable insights directly from those who manage and operate them.
The summit is supported by Destination NSW and Orange City Council, both of which recognise the growing importance of developing agritourism in boosting regional tourism.
Agritourism was identified as a growth opportunity in the NSW Government’s experience-led NSW Visitor Economy Strategy review and its 2035 target of $91 billion in annual expenditure.
Minister for Tourism Steve Kamper said: “The NSW Government is proud to support the 2025 AgriTourism Summit and its focus on future-proofing regional visitor economies.
“NSW has so much to offer. It is one of the most seasonally diverse agricultural regions in Australia, and we are seeing an increasing number of domestic and international visitors immersing themselves in authentic experiences across the state.
“From booking unique farm stays to sampling wines at our world-class vineyards, foraging for truffles in our cool-climate regions, shucking oysters in our waterways and picking fruit in our orchards, agritourism plays a vital role in our visitor economy strategy.”
NSW Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said: “Diversifying revenue streams for farmers through agritourism is an emerging activity and can grow to securing year-round income that balances seasonal income.
“Bringing together potential practitioners and experts at this summit is a smart idea and eventually we know from overseas experiences if agritourism grows it can boost the brands of location-based foods, wines, and fibres into national and international markets.”
Also joining this year’s event is the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) of NSW, a not-for-profit organisation committed to advancing agricultural business to ensure long-term prosperity for future generations.
Orange 360 will organise delegate famil visits and publicise the event to the broader region.
The program is currently being developed, with potential speakers and attendees encouraged to register their interest by visiting the official summit website here.
About AgriTourism Summit
The AgriTourism Summit is an annual event that brings together key players in the agritourism industry to discuss trends, challenges and opportunities within this growing sector. Featuring expert speakers, case studies and hands-on learning experiences, the summit serves as a vital platform for networking, innovation and collaboration.
The AgriTourism Summit will take place on 12-13 August 2025 in Orange, NSW. It promises an unparalleled opportunity for learning, collaboration and inspiration in one of Australia’s most celebrated agritourism regions
Event details
Date: 12-13 August 2025
Time: 9am – 5pm
Location: Orange, NSW
Registration: Visit www.agritourismsummit.org to book your seat and take advantage of early bird rates.