The public and an industry panel have voted Berrima and Mudgee the top NSW destinations for an outstanding visitor experience.
Filled with country charm, verdant landscapes and heritage, the southern highlands and country NSW favourites were crowned winners of the inaugural Business NSW awards by the state’s tourism minister, Stuart Ayres.
“There’s a real buzz about regional NSW right now and with incredible destinations such as Berrima and Mudgee to visit it’s easy to understand why,” Mr Ayres said.
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“These vibrant communities with unique visitor experiences, authentic hospitality and world class tourism operators make NSW the envy of all other states, and the place to be when it comes to regional Australian escapes.
“Regional visitor economies are on the road to recovery, and the Destination NSW and Roy Morgan Weekly Visitor Tourism Tracking Index shows that the total number of visitors across regional NSW is approximately 20 per cent above where we were at mid-October last year.
“The data also tells us that in the last six weeks alone, interstate travel has risen and 36 per cent of visitors to regional NSW are interstate visitors, up from 23 per cent in mid-February.
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“These awards showcase NSW’s strengths, and with the ‘visitor-first’ approach shown by the 52 entrants, the program is a great platform to demonstrate our state is in a fantastic position to be the premier visitor economy of the Asia Pacific by 2030.”
Mudgee was praised for its great community spirit and the way it welcomes visitors from far and wide to sample its wines, food and warm hospitality.
Historic Berrima was admired for being a beautifully preserved Georgian town with amazing food and friendly people.
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Mudgee and Berrima will represent NSW at the inaugural Australian Top Tourism Town awards to be held on 25 August at Parliament House in Canberra.
Full list of award winners:
Top Tourism Town (population below 5000 residents)
- Winner – Berrima
- Highly Commended – Carcoar
Top Tourism Town (population over 5000 residents)
- Winner – Mudgee
- Highly Commended – Orange
Judges Choice Awards
- Most Inspiring Editorial: Oberon
- Most Captivating Video: Tumbarumba
- Most Compelling Itinerary: Ettalong Beach
Have you ever visited Mudgee or Berrima? What did you think? What were the highlights of your visit?
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