It’s that time of year again, when the NSW Tourism Industry Council hosts the annual NSW Top Tourism Town Awards. This year there are 19 towns from across the state that are vying for the top spot. 

“The NSW Top Tourism Town Awards provide communities, business chambers, visitor centres and local governments the chance to show how their town encourages tourism development, increases visitation and drives the visitor economy for our state,” NSW Tourism Industry Council Executive Director Paula Martin said. 

“It’s a real testament to the resilience of these towns that we have an incredible 19 finalists in three categories: those with populations over 5000 residents, those under 5000 residents and tiny towns with a population fewer than 1500 residents.”

While the finalists have been named by the council it’s now time for the public to cast their vote. Voting opens at 5pm on May 13, 2024, and the winners will be announced on May 29, 2024. The winners in each category will go on to represent NSW at Australia’s Top Tourism Town Awards, which will be held later in the year. 

Here are all the towns that are listed as finalists:

Tiny Tourism Town fewer than 1500 residents

• Broke, Hunter Valley
• Eugowra, Central West
• Huskisson, South Coast
• Wollombi, Hunter Valley

Small Tourism Town with fewer than 5000 residents

• Berry, South Coast
• Bulahdelah, North Coast
• Gloucester, North Coast
• Merimbula, South Coast
• Oberon, Central West
• Ulmarra, North Coast

Top Tourism Town with populations over 5000 residents

• Ballina, North Coast
• Bathurst, Country NSW
• Grafton, North Coast
• Kiama, South Coast
• Newcastle, North Coast
• Murwillumbah, North Coast
• Orange, Central West
• Shellharbour, South Coast
• Ulladulla, South Coast

 For more information or to vote, visit businessnsw.com

Related story: Wotif names Victoria’s Bendigo ‘2024 Aussie Town of the Year’