Welcome to the
The Hunter Region Tourism Awards have arrived – a dedicated programme celebrating the outstanding achievements of the Hunter region’s vibrant tourism and hospitality sector. For the first time in over a decade, businesses from every corner of the Hunter have the chance to be recognised and promoted through an awards initiative created just for them. Proudly presented by the Hunter Region Tourism Organisation (HRTO), these awards are free to enter and open to all, making it easy for businesses of every size and specialty to get involved. Our mission is to shine a spotlight on the region’s most exceptional tourism and hospitality operators, raising their profile within the community and beyond.
We thank Cypress Lakes Resort, Elysia Wellness Retreat, Lisa McGuigan Wines and Flamingos Live for their support with the launch of the awards and presentation evening. Ready to showcase your business and join a celebration of local excellence? Learn more about the awards and how to enter below.
To help businesses find the right fit, here’s a clear explanation of each award category and which types of businesses should enter.
Outstanding places to stay, including hotels, bed & breakfasts, resorts, motels, holiday parks, self-contained apartments or cottages, and unique or boutique accommodation such as farm stays or eco-lodges. If your business provides overnight accommodation for visitors, this is your category.
Businesses that offer memorable food and beverage experiences, such as restaurants, cafés, pubs, bars, event caterers, food trucks, or pop-up dining experiences. If your primary focus is serving meals, drinks, or culinary experiences to guests, this is the right category.
Destinations or venues that are primarily places to visit and explore, including museums, galleries, theatres, wildlife parks, nightclubs, gardens, historic sites, landmarks, scenic lookouts, or natural wonders. If your business is a place people come to see, learn, or be inspired, this is the category for you.
Operators offering activities, tours, or hands-on experiences such as guided tours, adventure activities, workshops, festivals, outdoor recreation, and live entertainment. This category also includes performing musicians and other entertainers who create memorable experiences for visitors. If your business is about what visitors do – from adrenaline adventures and creative workshops to watching live music and engaging performances—this is your category.
Businesses that support the visitor experience, including visitor information centres, entertainers, tour and transport operators, travel agencies, event management companies, wedding venues, wedding celebrants and more. If your business helps visitors plan, book, or enhance their stay, enter the Services category.
Retailers and outlets that attract visitors, such as gift shops, boutiques, local produce stores, artisan retailers, shopping centres, florists, markets, or specialty shops. If your business offers products or retail experiences that draw tourists, the Shopping category is for you.
Stay informed and plan your entry with ease – here you’ll find all the important dates for the Hunter Region Tourism Awards. From opening and closing dates for entries to finalist announcements and the awards celebration, this section outlines every milestone you need to know. Mark your calendar to ensure you don’t miss a step in the awards journey.
Monday 7th July @ 5:30pm
Tuesday 30th September @ 11:59pm
Between Monday 13th & Wednesday 15th October
Monday 3rd November @ 5:30pm
Entering the Hunter Region Tourism Awards is completely free – there are no fees to enter (or to win). We’ve designed the process to be as quick and easy as possible because we know your time is valuable. For most businesses, completing the entry will take less than a minute.
We handle all the hard work behind the scenes, making it simple for you to be recognised for your outstanding contribution to the Hunter Region’s tourism and hospitality sector. Just provide the essential details in the entry form, and we’ll handle the rest. Take this opportunity to showcase your business and join the community of leaders shaping the future of Hunter tourism. Your excellence and your effort deserve to be celebrated!
Before entering the Hunter Region Tourism Awards, please review the eligibility criteria below to ensure your business qualifies. These requirements are designed to keep the awards process fair, accessible, and focused on celebrating genuine achievements within the Hunter’s vibrant tourism and hospitality sector. By entering, you confirm that your business meets all criteria and agree to abide by the terms of entry.
Do you know a fantastic tourism or hospitality business that deserves to be celebrated? We welcome your nominations to help us recognise the best in the Hunter Region’s vibrant tourism and hospitality community. The nomination form is quick and easy – simply provide the business name, location, and phone number if you know it. We’ll take it from there, contacting the business directly to let them know they’ve been nominated and guiding them through the entry process. Your nomination could be the first step in shining a well-deserved spotlight on a local favourite!
Before you begin your entry, please ensure you have reviewed the eligibility criteria and category descriptions to select the most suitable category for your business. The Hunter Region Tourism Awards celebrate excellence across all sectors of our vibrant tourism and hospitality community, and this is your opportunity to gain well-deserved recognition. The entry process is simple and free – just provide accurate and honest information about your business. By submitting your entry, you agree to the awards’ terms and conditions, including acceptance of the final assessment outcomes. We look forward to celebrating your achievements!
The Hunter Region Tourism Organisation (HRTO) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the Hunter Region as a premier tourism destination. By showcasing the Hunter Region’s diverse attractions, we inspire travellers to visit, explore, stay longer, and spend more.
HRTO is a regional tourism organisation dedicated to promoting the Hunter Region and its amazing hospitality and tourism businesses. We’re part of the Hunter Region Business Enterprise Centre Incorporated, a not-for-profit business service organisation that’s been helping tourism businesses across the Hunter for over 30 years.
The Hunter Region Tourism Awards are the only awards dedicated to promoting the Hunter Region, with free participation for all eligible business. The Hunter Region Tourism Awards, Hunter Tourism Awards and Newcastle Tourism Awards are registered business names owned and operated by HRTO.
While our judging system is proprietary, entrants should know that customer service is a major component of the overall score. We encourage you to focus on delivering outstanding service and memorable experiences at every stage of your business. Great customer service is at the heart of every visitor experience, and this will be strongly reflected in your results.
Our judging process is designed to ensure fairness and minimise any bias. Entry is free for all eligible tourism and hospitality businesses, making the awards accessible to everyone. To further protect the integrity of the process, employees, board members, contractors, and their immediate families from the Hunter Region Tourism Organisation and the Hunter Region Business Enterprise Centre are excluded from entering.
Our aim is to highlight and celebrate the very best in tourism and hospitality across the Hunter Region. To help us achieve this goal and ensure the integrity of the awards, every entry is judged against a strict criteria. To become a finalist, an entry must achieve a score above a nominated threshold. As such, it’s unlikely that every entry will be recognised as a finalist.
Each month, thanks to amazing local sponsors and hosts, HRTO hosts an industry networking event for tourism and hospitality businesses from across the Hunter Region. The events are free to attend and open to tourism representatives from across the Hunter, including: Maitland, Cessnock, Dungog, Singleton, Muswellbrook, Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle.
Would you like to sponsor an Event? Showcase your venue or service to the Hunter Region?