The most unique accommodation in NSW has just been revealed

By Rachael Thompson
hero media
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).

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.
See all articles
a tour group on the water from Showtime Kayaking Tours
Hunter

Light up the night with an after-dark kayaking tour in Lake Macquarie

Join the underwater creatures of the night with Showtime Kayaking Tours.

Read more
Scenic coastal views from Little Bay Picnic Area, South West Rocks
NSW North Coast

This NSW coastal walk has secluded beaches, wildflowers and whale watching

Rugged headlands, hidden beaches and sweeping ocean views.

Read more
A hotel bathroom with a freestanding bath overlooking Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney

I’ve stayed in 21 hotels in Sydney and this is my favourite

Welcome to the first instalment of Hotel Addict, a monthly column where I check into Australia’s best hotels, exploring not just the rooms, but the stories, service and settings that make each stay unforgettable and worth adding to your wishlist.

Read more
Public Supply is serving Coco Pops coffee and scrolls
Tweed

Coco Pops coffee and Biscoff scrolls are luring city dwellers to a tiny Tweed Heads hole-in-the-wall

Bringing iconic Aussie sweets to a Northern New South Wales laneway, Public Supply is attracting unprecedented crowds every morning.

Read more
hero media

Two new scenic bushwalks have opened in a breathtaking NSW conservation area

    By Rachael Thompson
    Continue
    The Broad Swamp Loop Walk and Broad Swamp to Birds Rock Walking Track showcase the unique geology and diverse ecosystems of the Gardens of Stone area.

    Two new walking tracks in the picturesque Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area (SCA) have opened just in time for the warmer months and the school holidays. The Broad Swamp Loop Walk and Broad Swamp to Birds Rock Walking Tracks showcase the unique geology and diverse ecosystems of the Gardens of Stone area near Lithgow, offering photographic opportunities, wildlife encounters and immersion in a rare and fragile landscape.

    Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Trish Doyle shared her enthusiasm for the new walking tracks:

    “The tracks are fantastic news for families, hikers and nature lovers and will be a drawcard for visitors, driving economic and tourism growth and creating new bushwalking routes of international significance in our backyard.” 

    Two people on a bushwalk with yellow wattle blossoming.

    Walk through swathes of wattle.

    Broad Swamp Loop is a family-friendly six-kilometre walk among towering eucalypts and vibrant wattles. This Grade Three track takes approximately one to two hours to complete and offers views of the largest swamp in the park, while protecting it as an endangered ecological community via bog bridges. Keep a keen eye out for red-necked wallabies and echidnas who call this area home.

    The more adventurous and challenging Broad Swamp to Birds Rock Walking Track stretches 17.5 kilometres, requiring hikers to traverse gullies and cliff lines. This Grade Three walk takes approximately seven to eight hours to complete (one-way), gaining an elevation of 100 metres from the lush valley with towering trees to the winding steps up to a scenic clifftop view of Carne Creek with glimpses of Pyramid Rock. Without a car shuffle, the walk from Broad Swamp carpark to Carne View lookout is 25 kilometres return, taking approximately eight to 10 hours, so ensure you plan ahead.

    Hikers looking out at the Carne View Lookout

    The Carne View Lookout offers spectacular views.

    Part of the $49.5 million Gardens of Stone SCA visitor infrastructure program, these new tracks are the result of 18 months’ work to transform an eroded trail into a world-class hiking track.

    “These new walking tracks help protect biodiversity by converting an eroded informal trail into a world-class hiking adventure so more people can enjoy the park,” shared National Parks and Wildlife Service Director, David Crust.

    Upgrades to the Lost City precinct have also been completed to offer better convenience for visitors, with a formalised car park, road enhancements, toilets and visitor information.

    The transformation is the first stage of a planned multi-day walk, with new precincts, Bungleboori Picnic Area and Forest Campground, to be completed over the next two years.

    Hikes on a bushwalk with mountains in the background

    The Broad Swamp to Birds walking track meanders through grassland.

    To know before you go

    – There is no phone reception on either walk. 

    – There is no drinking water along the way.

    – Closures due to construction will continue over the next 12-18 months, so check each walk is open in advance.

    – To do the Broad Swamp to Birds Rock Walking Track as a one-way trip, you’ll need two 4WD vehicles, as Birds Rock car park is only accessible by 4WD. It is a 30-minute drive between Broad Swamp car park and Birds Rock car park.