Vote for NSW Tourism Association's Top Town!
The NSW Tourism Association's 2026 Top Tourism Town Awards were announced at the Local Government NSW Destination and Visitor Economy Conference in Maitland, celebrating the regional communities that go above and beyond to give visitors an unforgettable experience.
This year's awards spanned three categories: Top Tourism Town, Small Tourism Town and Tiny Tourism Town, each recognising destinations across a range of population sizes. And thanks to thousands of votes cast through the NRMA People's Choice Award, Open Road readers had a direct say in who made it to the top. Here's the full list of winners.
Top Tourism Town
Towns with a population of 5,000 or more
🥇Gold: Kiama (Hall of Fame)
Just two hours south of Sydney, Kiama has cemented its place as one of NSW's great coastal escapes. Crashing waves, scenic cliff walks, sweeping sea views, it's the kind of place that reminds you why you road trip. Kiama also took home a Bronze at the 2025 Australian Top Tourism Town Awards.
🥈Silver: Orange
🥉Bronze: Wollongong
NRMA People's Choice:
Orange: A high-country city that punches well above its weight, with a celebrated food and wine scene, cool-climate cellar doors, and the kind of tree-lined streets that can be enjoyed all-year round but really take the breath away in autumn.
Small Tourism Town
Towns with a population between 1,500 and 5,000
🥇Gold: Gulgong
Just over four hours from Sydney, this historic gold rush town proves that small is its superpower. With heritage streetscapes, fascinating museums, fresh air and a genuinely unhurried pace, it's a brilliant place to stay for a proper break.
🥈Silver: Gloucester
🥉Bronze: Thirlmere
NRMA People's Choice:
Shoal Bay: Tucked at the tip of Port Stephens, this laid-back beach village delivers sparkling blue water, resident dolphins and a holiday atmosphere that's hard to leave behind.
Tiny Tourism Town
Towns with a population under 1,500
🥇Gold: Broke
Nestled in the Hunter Valley's Broke Fordwich region, this quietly brilliant little town is made for slowing right down. Award-winning wines, exceptional local food, boutique producers and a landscape that does the talking, Broke is the kind of destination members return to.
🥈Silver: Millthorpe
🥉Bronze: Mungindi
NRMA People's Choice
Millthorpe: A beautifully preserved gold rush village in the Central Tablelands, where heritage storefronts, artisan producers and a genuine sense of unhurried community life make it feel like a discovery every time.
Tiny Tourism Town - Hall of Fame
Huskisson: After three consecutive wins, Huskisson has been inducted into the Hall of Fame: richly deserved recognition for the Jervis Bay jewel that's captured the hearts of so many NSW visitors. Sixteen stunning beaches, crystal-clear water, dolphins, whales and that unmistakable South Coast magic make Husky an irrefutable hall of a famer!
Start planning your visit to one of this year's winners with NRMA's trip planner and keep an eye on Open Road for destination guides, road trip routes and insider tips for all things NSW.
