The most unique accommodation in NSW has just been revealed

Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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Last night’s NSW Tourism Awards celebrated the trailblazers who are redefining the state’s tourism landscape.

NSW is brimming with brilliant businesses offering incredible experiences, so much so that annual awards are held to celebrate them. This year, the NSW Tourism Association hosted the NSW Tourism Awards for the first time. This prestigious program recognises excellence in the tourism industry across the state. It showcases the best of NSW’s attractions, tours, festivals, accommodation, and food tourism. A whopping 200 award nominations were received this year, which was double last year’s entry numbers. 

Last night, the association announced the winners of its awards for 2024 at The Star in Sydney. The list offers an inspiring insight into the unique offerings and experiences of New South Wales’ vibrant tourism sector and plenty of inspo for your next outing whether you’re a foodie, adventurer, or in need of a getaway. 

Mount Hay Retreat
Breathtaking views and friendly hospitality await at Mount Hay Retreat.

Spotlight on unique accommodations

The award-winning accommodations not only provide comfort but also immerse guests in the natural beauty of the state.

Among the standout winners is the Gold Award for Unique Accommodation, which went to Sierra Escape in Mudgee. Perched on a 113-hectare property, this luxurious safari tent offers breathtaking views and a tranquil retreat for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle. This well-appointed property goes above and beyond, equipped with an outdoor bath, fireplace, a fire pit, a king-size bed and a kitchenette for an unforgettable stay. 

Sierra Escape
Unwind in your private outdoor bath at Sierra Escape.

Other notable mentions include:

  • Kestrel Nest EcoHut, Mount Adrah (Gold for Ecotourism): Complete relaxation and disconnect are what you’ll experience during this off-grid stay. Nestled in the Riverina Highlands, this stylish accommodation minimises reliance on external resources and promotes sustainable living practices through solar power, rainwater harvesting, the use of sustainable materials, and a commitment to local produce.
  • Black Sheep Inn, Borenore (Gold for Hosted Accommodation): This B&B is housed in a century-old shearing shed turned modern accommodation. You’ll experience the perfect blend of rustic charm and contemporary comforts, with five guest rooms featuring private ensuites, stunning countryside vistas, and preserved features like galvanized iron and sheep chutes.
  • The Brooklet, Brooklet (Bronze for New Tourism Business): Wellness is at the heart of this ultra-luxe coastal accommodation in the Byron Bay Hinterland. From the fresh country air, mineral pool and ice bath to the tennis court and gym, the facilities encourage relaxation and rejuvenation. The 125-acre estate houses six luxury villas alongside The Bails, a beautifully renovated three-bedroom dairy.
  • Oriana Retro Hotel & Resort, Orange (Gold for 4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation): The Oriana is a funky 1960s retro-style hotel exuding laid-back holiday vibes. Each room and suite features its own vibrant colour scheme with plush bedding, contemporary art and statement pillows throughout.
  • Mt Hay Retreat, Berry (Gold for 5-Star Luxury Accommodation): This intimate retreat is made for romantic getaways. It features sweeping views of 360 acres of farmland, native bush, and the Pacific Ocean, an indoor pool and spa set above mature gardens, and luxurious accommodations designed to provide a serene escape from the everyday bustle.
  • Kalinya Estate, Bargo (Silver for 5-Star Luxury Accommodation): A short drive from Sydney is this heritage-listed accommodation that overlooks award-winning gardens. Owners Chris and Mandy Barnes are dedicated to providing personalised service and creating memorable experiences for guests.
Black Sheep Inn
Delight in unique, rural accommodation at Black Sheep Inn.

Culinary delights to discover

Foodies and Lord Howe Island locals will be thrilled to learn that Love Lord Howe took home the Gold Award for Excellence in Food Tourism, highlighting its commitment to showcasing local produce and culinary creativity. The team lovingly create picnics and caters for weddings, events, conferences and visiting tour groups.

Lord Howe Island
Order a picnic from Love Lord Howe and sit back to enjoy the stunning views. (Image: Destination NSW)

Further cementing its position as one of the country’s biggest gourmet destinations, The Tweed region shone bright with its two awards in the Restaurants & Catering Services awards.

  • Potager, Carool (Gold for Restaurants & Catering Services): This charming timber cottage is a stunning locale for a long lunch.  A celebration of community and the produce grown directly in the estate’s gardens and local farms take centre stage. Expect dishes such as zucchini “pappardelle" with bunya nut, nasturtium pesto, pine nuts, zucchini flowers, and bush lemon, and pangretatta and tarragon roasted Windsor grimaud duck breast with red cabbage and mustard purée, and smoked walnut ketchup.
  • Pipit Restaurant, Pottsville (Silver for Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services): This coastal haunt showcases the incredible produce of the Northern Rivers region, using an open wood fire to achieve rich flavour in every bite. 

Other culinary winners include:

  • Frankie’s Restaurant and Bar, Lithgow (Bronze for Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services): Housed within the Zig Zag Motel and renowned for its friendly atmosphere, Frankie’s features a menu of modern takes on classic Italian fare—the lasagna spring rolls are a must-try.
  • Cupitt’s Estate, Ulladulla (Gold for Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries): This underrated gem combines a winery, brewery, restaurant, and luxury accommodation set against a lush landscape with views of the Budawang Ranges and Burrill Lake.
Potager
Savour the rich flavours of The Tweed region at Potager. (Image: Destination NSW)

More award-winning experiences

In addition to accommodations and food, several other categories celebrated excellence in tourism. Here are some highlights worth discovering:

  • Northern Rivers Rail Trail (Gold for Tourist Attractions): This scenic trail through the bucolic The Tweed region guides you through quaint towns and lush hinterland. At 132 kilometres long, it connects Murwillumbah to Casino, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage.
  • Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash (Gold for Festival & Events): This family-friendly festival really puts Broken Hill on the map with its offering of live music, camping, and an authentic outback experience.
  • Local Sauce Tours, Sydney (Silver for Cultural Tourism): These insightful tours connect locals and visitors with Sydney’s hidden gems be it secret bars, the best Chinatown restaurants, or the most idyllic walks.
Northern Rivers Rail Trail
Discover The Tweed’s bucolic surrounds via the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.

The full list of winners

4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation

GOLD: Oriana Retro Hotel & Resort, Orange

5 Star Luxury Accommodation

GOLD: Mt Hay Retreat, Berry

SILVER: Kalinya Estate, Bargo

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences

GOLD: Bundyi Cultural Tours, Wagga Wagga

Adventure Tourism

HALL OF FAME & GOLD: Balloon Aloft, Hunter Valley, Camden Valley, Mudgee and Byron Bay

SILVER: Let’s Go Surfing, Sydney, Byron Bay

BRONZE: Oz Jet Boating, Sydney

Caravan & Holiday Parks

GOLD: Holiday Haven Lake Conjola

SILVER: Tathra Beach Eco Camp

BRONZE: Tasman Holiday Parks Racecourse Beach, Bawley Point

Cultural Tourism

GOLD: Port Macquarie Museum

SILVER: Local Sauce Tours, Sydney

BRONZE: Dubbo Regional Council – Old Dubbo Gaol

Ecotourism

GOLD: Kestrel Nest EcoHut, Mount Adrah

SILVER: Sydney By Kayak, Lavender Bay

BRONZE: Navigate Expeditions, Far South Coast

Excellence in Accessible Tourism

GOLD: Balloon Aloft Australia, Hunter Valley, Camden Valley, Mudgee and Byron Bay

SILVER: Blue Mountains Climbing School

BRONZE: Sails Holiday Park, Belmont

Excellence in Food Tourism

GOLD: Love Lord Howe

SILVER: Food I Am, Wagga Wagga

BRONZE: Tocumwal Chocolate School

Festivals & Events

GOLD: Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash

SILVER: Tumbafest Inc, Tumbarumba

BRONZE: Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail

Hosted Accommodation

GOLD: Black Sheep Inn, Borenore

SILVER: Amaroo Valley Springs, Kangaroo Valley

Local Government Award for Tourism

GOLD: Bathurst Regional Council

SILVER: City of Newcastle

Major Festivals & Events

GOLD: Bluesfest Byron Bay

SILVER: Strawberry Fields Festival, Tocumwal

Major Tour & Transport Operators

GOLD: Captain Cook Cruises – Sydney

SILVER: Moonshadow – TQC Cruises, Nelson Bay

Major Tourist Attractions

GOLD: Symbio Wildlife Park, Helensburgh

SILVER: 4WD Tours R Us, Anna Bay

BRONZE: The Big Banana Fun Park, Coffs Harbour

New Tourism Business

GOLD: Beneath The Bay, Batemans Bay

SILVER: Showtime Kayaking, Lake Macquarie

BRONZE: The Brooklet, Brooklet

Self Contained Accommodation

GOLD: Cedars Mount View, Hunter Valley

Service to Tourism Industry

GOLD: TRC Tourism

SILVER: Sparrowly Group

BRONZE: Hipscotch

Take 3 For The Sea Award For Visitor Litter Prevention

GOLD: Sydney By Kayak, Lavender Bay

SILVER: Cruise Eden, Eden

Tour & Transport Operators

GOLD: Blue Mountains Day Tours by Chapman Tours

SILVER: 4WD Tours R Us, Anna Bay

BRONZE: Activity Tours Australia, Sydney

Tourism Marketing & Campaigns

GOLD: Tweed Tourism Company

SILVER: Barrington Coast: Whatever It Takes

BRONZE: City of Newcastle

Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services

HALL OF FAME & GOLD: Potager, Carool

SILVER: Pipit Restaurant, Pottsville

BRONZE: Frankie’s Restaurant and Bar, Lithgow

Tourism Retail, Hire & Services

GOLD: Ask Roz Blue Mountains

SILVER: Hirehood, Northern Rivers

BRONZE: Outback Jess – Spotto Books

Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries

GOLD: Cupitt’s Estate, Ulladulla

SILVER: Husk Distillers, North Tumbulgum

BRONZE: Cape Byron Distillery, McLeods Shoot

Tourist Attractions

GOLD: Northern Rivers Rail Trail

SILVER: Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

BRONZE: Barooga Sporties Group, Barooga

Unique Accommodation

GOLD: Sierra Escape, Mudgee

SILVER: Wilga Station, Bathurst

BRONZE: Myall River Camp, Hawks Nest

Visitor Information Services

GOLD: Bathurst Visitor Information Centre

SILVER: MidCoast Council: Barrington Coast

BRONZE: Albury Visitor Information Centre

Outstanding Contribution by an Individual

Lyndel Gray, CEO of Caravan and Camping Industry Association NSW (CCIA).

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Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and gin connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, along with an English major from The University of Sydney, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
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8 insider experiences to discover the offbeat in Newcastle

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    Discover vibrant culture and creativity, gorgeous nature spots and more in lively Newcastle.

    Newcastle/Muloobinba has a lot going for it beyond its big skies and beautiful beaches. The city’s creative types are now heading downtown, taking over and transforming warehouses and terraces to offer a more alternative vibe. From its nightlife to secret swimming spots, art to architecture, here’s our insider’s guide to Newcastle in New South Wales.

    1. Learn to sail on Newcastle Harbour

    The harbour has always shaped Newcastle, so it seems like the most obvious place to start your weekend. Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club offers a range of programs that provide instruction for both novice and experienced sailors. This is an inspired classroom that sets off past the Honeysuckle Foreshore up the Hunter River, with views towards a seemingly infinite vista of blue stretching to the horizon. It’s the perfect way to savour your time by the sea. Other water activities include surfing, swimming in one of the secret ocean baths or whale-watching with CoastXP.

    Aerial view of Newcastle Harbour.
    Join Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club’s programs. (Image: City of Newcastle)

    2. Underground jazz scene

    Follow the lively sound of the saxophone bubbling up to find The Underground. The popular basement-level bar, with its dim lighting and speakeasy aesthetic, schedules live jazz performances every Tuesday and Thursday. Newcastle is known around the country for supporting live music and this late-night New York-style jazz bar is, like the city itself, both approachable and sophisticated. For fans of live music, Queen’s Wharf Hotel, King Street Newcastle, Mad Poet and The Lucky Hotel are all popular pubs for their roster of live music.

     

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    A post shared by Newcastle Live (@newcastlelive)

    3. The city as a canvas   

    The streets of Newcastle present like an outdoor art gallery, adding beauty to the everyday with large-scale works by artists such as Fintan Magee, Inari Meyers, Tom Henderson and Sophia Flegg. Hire a Flash E-bike and pedal around the streets to find treasures such as Bronte Naylor’s Mirror Ocean in Civic Square or Sky & Ocean at South Newcastle Beach Skate Park. You can also join Newy Tour Co.’s Discover Newcastle tour to explore city highlights, architectural gems and street art with an expert guide.

    Friends take in Newcastle Street Art.
    Admire stunning works of art displayed all around you. (Image: Destination NSW)

    4. An artist’s view of Newcastle

    There’s a real sense of optimism around Newcastle, stemming from its many grassroots art galleries and organisations. The city is home to an eclectic array of artists who gravitate toward different mediums; see their works on show at independent galleries such as The Lock-Up, which operated as a police station from 1861 until 1982, and Lighthouse Arts Newcastle in the light-filled cottages on Nobbys Head/Whibayganba. Stop by The Creator Incubator to see the Little and Big gallery spaces. Newcastle Art Gallery will soon reopen after a recent expansion, so keep an eye out.

    5. Newcastle after dark

    The small bars confetti’d around Newcastle are a sign of the times. Visitors to the compact city will find a concentration of bars within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail. The after-dark experience, which includes theatre and live music, is designed for visitors who are in search of the offbeat and want to celebrate the city’s creativity.  Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, the bars that dot most neighbourhoods will tempt you with everything from happy hour to their alt attitude. 

    A bartender expertly crafting a drink, with a stunning library of spirits in the background.
    Enjoy a night out at a lively bar. (Image: City of Newcastle)

    6. Indulge in great gastronomy

    Newcastle’s proximity to the Hunter Valley has helped establish it as a sophisticated getaway for gourmands with a passion for provenance. Dining options in the city are diverse, with everything from casual cafes to cantina-style Mexican eateries such as Antojitos, through to fine diners such as Flotilla and Jana Restaurant & Bar at QT Newcastle. Visit during Newcastle Food Month to get a snapshot of the local culinary scene – you can take note of the many world-class restaurants and cafes that warrant a return visit. Humbug, Peregrin and Bistro Penny should also be on your radar.

    The dining area at Flotilla in Newcastle NSW.
    Savour a world-class dining experience at Flotilla. (Image: Flotilla)

    7. Crystalbrook Kingsley

    Crystalbrook Kingsley is another great example of Newcastle’s new wow factor.  Staying at the hotel – in the heart of the cultural centre – makes exploring a breeze, with vintage bikes for guests who want to check out the city streets on two wheels. The design-savvy Crystalbrook Collection reimagined the Roundhouse building while adhering to its ethos of sustainable luxury. The hotel is also a magnet for foodies, with the rooftop Roundhouse restaurant and cocktail bar, Romberg’s, two of the best spots in the city for wining and dining.

    The Roundhouse by Crystalbrook Collection.
    Step into the reworked Roundhouse by Crystalbrook. (Image: Crystalbrook Kingsley)

    8. Newcastle’s creative side on show

    Save the date for New Annual, a festival of art, music and ideas from 26 September – 5 October. The program is jam-packed with 10 days of art, culture and creativity. This year’s festival will celebrate the power art has to connect people. Expect to see a diverse program including music, theatre, workshops, and performances in iconic Newcastle locations. Visitors will find a concentration of events within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail.

    Dancers performing gracefully, accompanied by a live orchestra.
    Celebrate migration, community and belonging at New Annual.

    Plan your next trip to offbeat Newcastle.