Orange tourism strikes gold
Three local tourism businesses have taken gold in their categories at the 2018 Country & Outback Regional Tourism Awards.
Heifer Station Wines, Lakeview Luxury Retreat, and Orange Ex-Services’ Club were among 15 winners from across the region named at the gala awards ceremony held in Orange on Saturday night.
Canowindra’s The Age of Fishes Museum also won gold in the Specialised Tourism Service category.
All 15 category winners are now in the running for the NSW Tourism Awards to be held in Sydney later this year.
More than 120 industry representatives attended the gala award ceremony at the Orange Ex-Services’ Club to see who would take home the coveted awards.
Rhonda Taylor, General Manager of Destination Country and Outback, said the awards are an opportunity for industry to gain recognition for their efforts.
“We are proud of the strong industry support for the awards program across our destination network with a fantastic turn-out in Orange this weekend,” Ms. Taylor said.
“All winners and finalists are to be congratulated for their efforts to enhance the Country & Outback region’s profile as a leading regional destination.”
In the lead-up to the gala, more than 65 of the region’s tourism operators and event organisers attended the inaugural Country and Outback Tourism Forum on Friday.
Hosted by Destination Country & Outback the half-day event included sessions with experts on topics such as destination management, remote working, digital media, and business events.
The full list of winners at the 2018 Country & Outback Regional Tourism Award:
Tourist Attractions
Gold: Mayfield Garden, Oberon
Silver: Outback Astronomy, Broken Hill
Major Festivals and Events
Gold: Tamworth Country Music Festival, Tamworth
Festivals and Events
Gold: Parkes Elvis Festival, Parkes
Silver: Canowindra Balloon Challenge, Canowindra
Finalist: Orange F.O.O.D Week, Orange
Finalist: Australian Celtic Festival, Glen Innes
Ecotourism
Gold: Wolgan Valley Eco Tours, Wolgan Valley
Cultural Tourism
Gold: Nundle Woollen Mill, Nundle
Silver: Old Dubbo Gaol, Dubbo
Specialised Tourism Services
Gold: The Age of Fishes Museum, Canowindra
Visitor Information Services
Gold: Mudgee Region Tourism, Mudgee
Silver: Bathurst Regional Council, Bathurst
Bronze: Liverpool Plains Visitor Information Centre, Willow Tree
Finalist: Dubbo Regional Council, Dubbo
Finalist: Orange Visitor Information Centre, Orange
Finalist: Parkes Visitor Information Centre, Parkes
Destination Marketing
Gold: Mudgee Region Tourism, Mudgee
Silver: Parkes Shire Council, Parkes
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries
Gold: Heifer Station Wines Pty Ltd
Finalist: Blue Wren Wines, Mudgee
Hosted Accommodation
Gold: Eldee Station, Broken Hill
Unique Accommodation
Gold: Sierra Escape, Mudgee
Self-Contained Accommodation
Gold: Lakeview Luxury Retreat, Orange
Silver: Kirsten Serviced Apartments, Mudgee
Standard Accommodation
Gold: Manera Heights Apartments, Dubbo
Silver: Shearing Shed Motor Inn, Dubbo
Bronze: Lodge Outback Motel, Broken Hill
Deluxe Accommodation
Gold: The Parkview Hotel, Mudgee
Excellence in Food Tourism
Gold: Orange Ex-Services’ Club, Orange
Finalist: Wayward Trails Pty Ltd, Arding