{"id":20435,"date":"2026-05-29T01:48:18","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T01:48:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/20435\/"},"modified":"2026-05-29T01:48:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T01:48:18","slug":"small-aussie-beach-town-bestowed-rare-honour-go-to-destination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/20435\/","title":{"rendered":"Small Aussie beach town bestowed ‘rare honour’: ‘Go-to destination’"},"content":{"rendered":"

A surprise coastal town has been inducted into the NSW Tourism Association’s Hall of Fame.<\/a><\/p>\n

The 2026 NSW Top Tourism Town Awards<\/a> winners were announced on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

The awards looked at the top tourism town with a population over 5,000 people, small tourism town with a population between 1,500 and 5,000 and a tiny tourism town with a population below 1,500.<\/a><\/p>\n

Kiama claimed a major win, being inducted into the Hall of Fame following three Gold wins in the Top Tourism<\/a> Town category.<\/p>\n

“This is a rare honour and it is an incredible achievement for Kiama,\u201d Cameron McDonald, the town’s mayor, said.<\/p>\n

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“We pride ourselves on being a go-to destination for visitors whether they are coming to our town for a day trip, a weekend away or an extended stay.<\/p>\n

“Kiama not only has plenty of places to visit but a special community where everybody is welcome, whether you\u2019re a local or from out of town.”<\/p>\n

Councillor Matt Brown, the council’s tourism chair, said tourism is such a big part of Kiama, and it’s “incredibly humbling” to be elevated to Hall of Fame status.<\/p>\n

Huskisson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2025 after three consecutive Gold wins in the Tiny Tourism Town category.<\/p>\n

\"Council<\/p>\n

Council said tourism is a massive part of the communtiy.<\/p>\n

(Getty Creative)What towns won NSW Tourism awards?<\/p>\n

Kiama was followed by Orange, which took second place, and Wollongong, which won third place, in the Top Tourism Town category.<\/p>\n

Gulgong won Gold in the Small Tourism Town category, followed by Gloucester and Thirlmere. Shoal Bay won the NRMA People’s Choice Award in the category.<\/p>\n

In the Tiny Tourism Town category, Broke won Gold, followed by Millthorpe and Mungindi.<\/p>\n

NSW Tourism Association CEO Natalie Godward said these awards shine a spotlight on what makes regional parts of the state so memorable.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery finalist and winner should be incredibly proud of the way they welcome visitors and showcase the best of their region. There\u2019s never been a better time to get out, hit the road, support local businesses and discover the incredible experiences right across our state.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gold-winning town will now represent NSW at the Australian Top Tourism Town Awards in Canberra.<\/p>\n

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