Tourism Towns 2026: Kiama Earns Hall of Fame After Three Gold Wins

NSW Unveils 2026 Top Tourism Towns Winners

Kiama has secured a prestigious Hall of Fame induction after claiming its third consecutive gold award in New South Wales' premier tourism towns recognition program. The 2026 NSW Top Tourism Towns awards celebrate regional destinations delivering outstanding visitor experiences across three distinct population categories. This year's announcement spotlights communities that continue converting local character and hospitality into compelling travel reasons. The awards program recognizes towns statewide and includes a public vote component through the NRMA People's Choice Award, reflecting destinations visitors love most.

According to NSW Tourism Association CEO Natalie Godward, "These awards shine a spotlight on the amazing towns and communities that make regional NSW so memorable. Every finalist and winner should be incredibly proud of the way they welcome visitors and showcase the best of their region."

The 2026 NSW Top Tourism Towns Winners Announced

The competition recognized excellence across three population tiers, each revealing distinct winner profiles. In the Top Tourism Town category (population over 5,000), Kiama claimed gold for its historic third straight victory, qualifying for the Hall of Fame status. Orange secured silver, while Wollongong earned bronze honors. Orange's achievement extended beyond competition rankings—it won the NRMA People's Choice Award in the Top Tourism Town division, demonstrating visitor preference alignment.

The Small Tourism Town winners (population 1,500–5,000) highlighted diverse regional strengths. Gulgong in the NSW Central Tablelands captured gold, followed by Gloucester on the Barrington Coast hinterland and Thirlmere in the Macarthur region. Shoal Bay, a Port Stephens suburb, claimed the NRMA People's Choice Award here. These towns demonstrate how smaller communities punch above their weight in visitor satisfaction metrics.

Tiny Tourism Town competition (population under 1,500) produced equally compelling results. Broke in the Hunter Region won gold, while Millthorpe, a Central West heritage village, captured silver and the NRMA People's Choice Award. Mungindi, positioned on the NSW/Queensland border, earned bronze distinction. Huskisson also achieved Hall of Fame status alongside Kiama after previous multiple gold wins.

Kiama Makes History with Third Consecutive Gold

Kiama's three-peat achievement in the tourism towns category represents extraordinary regional tourism management and visitor experience delivery. The NSW South Coast destination's consecutive gold status reflects sustained investment in traveler amenities, local business vitality, and authentic community engagement. Hall of Fame induction recognizes towns demonstrating excellence across extended periods rather than single-year achievements.

This recognition places Kiama alongside Huskisson as a benchmark destination within regional NSW tourism infrastructure. Both towns showcase how consistent commitment to visitor experience development translates into measurable recognition and competitive advantage. Kiama's success straight through three consecutive award cycles positions it as a destination worth extended exploration for travelers seeking authentic South Coast experiences.

The achievement carries significance beyond symbolic recognition. Gold-winning tourism towns from the 2026 NSW competition, including Kiama, will represent the state at the Australian Top Tourism Town Awards in Canberra later this year. This pathway elevates Kiama's profile within national tourism discussions and policy-making forums.

Small and Tiny Town Champions Crowned

Regional NSW's smaller communities demonstrated exceptional visitor-facing capabilities in 2026 awards competition. Gulgong's gold status in the Small Tourism Town category reflects the Central Tablelands' growing tourism profile and wine country appeal. The region continues attracting visitors seeking authentic regional experiences beyond major metropolitan centers.

Broke's tiny town gold reinforces the Hunter Region's reputation for boutique tourism experiences and rural hospitality. The town's success straight through competition reflects how smaller destinations create outsized travel memories through personalized visitor engagement. Millthorpe's silver and People's Choice awards acknowledge Central West heritage village experiences that resonate with visitors seeking historical authenticity and community character.

Gloucester's placement honors the Barrington Coast hinterland's natural attractions and outdoor recreation opportunities. These small and tiny town winners collectively illustrate that regional NSW tourism vibrancy extends far beyond major urban centers. Visitors increasingly seek destinations where population size correlates with authentic encounters and genuine hospitality.

People's Choice Awards Reveal Visitor Favorites

The NRMA People's Choice Award component provides direct visitor preference insight, revealing which destinations capture traveler loyalty most effectively. Orange's People's Choice win in the Top Tourism Town category demonstrates how visitor affection and official recognition can align. The city's wine country experiences, culinary scenes, and regional character resonate strongly with actual travelers.

Shoal Bay's People's Choice success in the Small Tourism Town category highlights Port Stephens' coastal appeal and beach destination strength. Millthorpe's tiny town People's Choice Award emphasizes heritage tourism's continuing visitor attraction power. These awards suggest that authentic visitor experiences matter more than destination size or mainstream recognition, positioning regional NSW as a collection of individually compelling travel destinations.

Best Time to Visit NSW Tourism Towns

Regional NSW tourism towns operate seasonally, with distinct appeal periods. Spring (September–November) offers mild temperatures, wildflower displays, and regional festival seasons across wine country and heritage destinations. Summer (December–February) brings peak beach tourism to coastal towns like Huskisson and Shoal Bay, though crowds increase significantly.

Autumn (March–May) provides ideal touring conditions—comfortable temperatures, reduced summer crowds, and vintage season activities in wine regions like Orange and the Hunter Valley surrounds. Winter (June–August) suits visitors seeking quieter experiences, though some outdoor activities diminish. Visit the official NSW Tourism Board website for seasonal event calendars and detailed planning resources.

How to Get There

Most award-winning tourism towns maintain excellent regional connectivity from Sydney. Kiama lies approximately 150 kilometers south via the Princes Highway, accessible via private vehicle or coach services. Orange sits approximately 260 kilometers west via the Great Western Highway, requiring approximately 3.5 hours driving. The NSW Central Tablelands towns—Gulgong and Thirlmere—connect via regional highways, with drive times ranging 2.5–3.5 hours from Sydney.

Hunter Region destinations like Broke access easily via the New England Highway, approximately 2 hours from Sydney's northern fringes. Border destinations like Mungindi require extended travel (approximately 8–10 hours) but reward visitors with authentic outback experiences. Regional coach services, including TripAdvisor-listed operators, provide alternatives to private vehicle travel.

What This Means for Travelers

The 2026 NSW Top Tourism Towns awards announce exciting travel opportunities across regional destinations:

1. Discover officially-recognized experiences: Award-winning towns represent peer-evaluated excellence in visitor hospitality and regional tourism infrastructure development.

2. Support authentic regional economies: Visiting recognized towns directs tourism spending directly to communities investing in authentic visitor experiences and local business sustainability.

3. Plan strategic regional road trips: Award winners create natural clustering for multi-destination itineraries—combine Kiama with coastal exploration, Orange with wine touring, or Hunter Region towns with regional heritage experiences.

4. Expect quality hospitality infrastructure: Hall of Fame and award-winning towns maintain accommodation, dining, and activity standards reflecting sustained visitor satisfaction metrics.

5. Escape seasonal crowds: Smaller award-winning towns typically experience less peak-season congestion than major destinations, enabling more relaxed regional exploration.

6. Access updated tourism guides: Award recognition triggers updated destination marketing materials and seasonal event information from NSW Tourism Association partners.

FAQ

What qualifies towns for NSW Top Tourism Towns awards?

Towns compete across three population categories, evaluated on visitor experience delivery, hospitality standards, community engagement, and regional tourism infrastructure. Tourism industry professionals assess nomination submissions, while the NRMA People's Choice Award reflects actual visitor preferences captured through public voting mechanisms.

How does Hall of Fame selection work?

Hall of Fame induction recognizes towns achieving multiple consecutive gold awards across award cycles. Kiama and