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