The NSW visitor economy triumphed at the 2024 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, with eight NSW businesses recognised across nine categories—including Balloon Aloft Australia, which took home double Gold.

It was a particularly strong result for the NSW North Coast in the wake of Cyclone Alfred, with the region securing five awards. The Tweed Tourism Company claimed Gold, Northern Rivers Rail Trail and Love Lord Howe received Silver, while Port Macquarie Museum and Potager earned Bronze.

Other NSW businesses celebrated on the night included Sierra Escape, which won Gold, and Mt Hay Retreat, which received Silver.

Hosted by the Australian Tourism Industry Council, the awards showcase the outstanding achievements of businesses and individuals across the visitor economy, with 24 operators from Bathurst to Broken Hill, Wagga Wagga to Sydney, and Batemans Bay to Byron Bay among the nominees.

The Qantas Australian Tourism Awards are a benchmark of excellence, recognising those who demonstrate innovation, commitment, and leadership in delivering exceptional visitor experiences.

The NSW Government’s Visitor Economy Strategy review has set an ambitious target of $91 billion in annual visitor expenditure by 2035. To help drive this growth, Destination NSW continues to support visitor economy operators through initiatives such as the NSW First and Choose Tourism programs, which provide workshops, webinars and online resources to strengthen industry capability.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said: “I want to congratulate all the NSW winners and nominees at the 2024 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards who are helping make NSW the destination of choice for travellers.

“Thanks to their hard work and innovation, more people from all over the country and all over the world are visiting NSW to enjoy exceptional natural and cultural experiences.

“Destination NSW is committed to working hand in hand with industry, celebrating our world-class experiences, supporting and upskilling providers and championing new ideas.”

Acting Destination NSW CEO Karen Jones said: “The success of NSW businesses at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards reflects the outstanding passion, professionalism and commitment of our tourism operators. Their dedication to world-class customer service is what makes NSW a leading destination for visitors from around the world.

“Creating fresh and immersive visitor experiences is central to positioning NSW as a premier global destination. By leveraging our state’s diverse natural and cultural assets, we can build a stronger, more resilient visitor economy that delivers benefits for businesses, communities and visitors alike.”

NSW winners in the 2024 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards

GOLD

Adventure Tourism: Balloon Aloft Australia

Tourism Marketing & Campaign: The Tweed Tourism Company

Unique Accommodation: Sierra Escape

Excellence in Accessible Tourism: Balloon Aloft Australia

SILVER

Tourist Attractions: Northern Rivers Rail Trail

5 Star Luxury Accommodation: Mt Hay Retreat

Excellence in Food Tourism: Love Lord Howe

BRONZE

Cultural Tourism: Port Macquarie Museum

Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services: Potager

NSW finalists in 2024 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards

  • Major Tourist Attractions: Symbio Wildlife Park
  • Tourist Attractions: Northern Rivers Rail Trail
  • Major Festivals & Events: Bluesfest Byron Bay
  • Festivals & Events: Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash
  • Ecotourism: Kestrel Nest EcoHut at Highfield Farm & Woodland
  • Cultural Tourism: Port Macquarie Museum
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences: Bundyi Cultural Tours
  • Tourism Retail, Hire & Services: Ask Roz Blue Mountains
  • Visitor Information Services: Bathurst Visitor Information Centre
  • Major Tour & Transport Operators: Captain Cook Cruises - Sydney
  • Tour & Transport Operators: Blue Mountains Day Tours
  • Adventure Tourism: Balloon Aloft Australia
  • Tourism Marketing & Campaigns: The Tweed Tourism Company
  • Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services: Potager
  • Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries: Cupitt’s Estate
  • Caravan & Holiday Parks: Holiday Haven Lake Conjola
  • Hosted Accommodation: Black Sheep Inn
  • Unique Accommodation: Sierra Escape
  • Self-Contained Accommodation: Cedars Mount View
  • 4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation: Oriana Retro Hotel & Resort
  • 5 Star Luxury Accommodation: Mt Hay Retreat
  • New Tourism Business: Beneath The Bay
  • Excellence in Food Tourism: Love Lord Howe
  • Excellence in Accessible Tourism: Balloon Aloft Australia

For a full list of winners and runners up, visit the Australian Tourism Awards website here.

Pictured main: Double Gold winner Balloon Aloft.