Insights - 2 April 2026
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AUTUMN 'SUPER BREAK' FOR NSW VISITOR ECONOMY
The Easter long weekend, autumn school holidays and the additional Anzac Day public holiday have converged to provide 'super break' opportunities for travel this month, with NSW the most popular destination.
New research from Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) indicates 29 per cent of Australian domestic travellers are planning to visit NSW over the Easter period.
Destination NSW is supporting a dynamic events calendar throughout April that is expected to generate more than $90 million in visitor expenditure and attract over 190,000 visitors to Sydney and regional NSW.
Events include Sail Port Stephens, Biennale of Sydney, The Lion King, Sydney International Art Series: Ron Mueck and Data Dreams, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour - Phantom of the Opera, Sydney Royal Easter Show, Emerging Socceroos Championships, Sydney Comedy Festival, and Women's State of Origin.
Travellers are being encouraged to plan ahead for the Easter long weekend, check local conditions and download FuelCheck for their journey, particularly when travelling longer distances or through regional areas.
The NSW Government is monitoring fuel distribution and working with industry and the Australian Government to manage localised shortages, particularly in regional communities.
Conditions will continue to be monitored closely over the Easter period, with all levels of government working together to support communities, essential services and the tourism sector.
SUPPORT FOR BLUE MOUNTAINS AND CENTRAL WEST
Destination NSW is backing the Blue Mountains and Central West with a co-ordinated marketing campaign and targeted funding to support visitation to the regions over the Easter long weekend and beyond.
With a detour in place along the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass, which may add around 25 minutes to travel times for drivers, the NSW Government is taking action to reassure travellers that the Blue Mountains and Central West are open for business, assist tourism operators and maintain strong visitor flows during a critical holiday period.
Blue Mountains City Council, Lithgow City Council and Bathurst Regional Council will each receive $15,000 in funding to strengthen their visitor economies with local activations and promotional activities.
Destination NSW is also launching targeted marketing activity on its Visit NSW and Sydney.com channels ahead of the Easter long weekend to encourage visitation to the Blue Mountains and Central West. The activity will reach audiences across Instagram and Facebook, with Visit NSW connecting to more than 645,000 Instagram followers and 1.4 million Facebook followers and Sydney.com engaging 1.3 million Instagram followers and 2.7 million Facebook followers.
DESTINATION NSW HOSTS NEW PRODUCT WORKSHOP
Destination NSW showcased a record number of visitor experiences in Greater Sydney and regional NSW to influential global travel buyers this week at its annual New Product Workshop.
The appointment-based workshop was attended by 30 newly export-ready businesses and provided an invaluable forum for promoting and selling NSW visitor experiences.
Twenty-nine domestic and international travel buyers including inbound tour operators, domestic wholesalers and online travel agents participated in the workshop, across sectors including independent travel, escorted group touring, luxury travel, special-interest journeys and cruise shore excursions.
EASTER SHOW CONNECTS CITY AND COUNTRY
Sydney Royal Easter Show is back from 2-13 April at Sydney Olympic Park, with tickets including event entry and free travel on all modes of public transport. Proudly supported by Destination NSW, the event welcomed more than 850,000 people through the gates in 2025, connecting attendees with the people and produce behind the NSW agriculture industry.
FREE EASTER FUN IN GREATER SYDNEY
The NSW Government is offering free family fun in Greater Sydney over Easter to ensure visitors and locals make the most of their time off. Activities will include a disco at Darling Harbour, a Gul Collective fibre and textile workshop at White Bay Power Station, a community day at Penrith Beach and exploring the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah.
AIR NZ SELLS TICKETS FOR WESTERN SYDNEY FLIGHTS
Tickets are now on sale for Air New Zealand’s Auckland-Western Sydney International route, which was supported by the NSW Government, and will become the first international service to operate from the airport on 26 October 2026.
AUSTRALIAN FASHION WEEK PROGRAM
Australian Fashion Week (AFW) has unveiled its designer line-up and program. Proudly supported by Destination NSW, AFW will take place from 11–15 May 2026 with the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia as its central hub.
RECORD-BREAKING PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
The Phantom of the Opera has become the most successful Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour production, already breaking its own previous box-office record as the highest grossing season of the annual harbourside event. Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is proudly supported by Destination NSW.
NEW TOURISM HOT SPOT FOR NEWCASTLE
The NSW Government is transforming The Station Newcastle into a world-class tourism, retail and hospitality precinct. As part of a 99-year lease Ashbridge Capital will further restore the heritage buildings and re-imagine the landmark to create a new destination for shopping, dining and community events.
SYDNEY MARATHON TRACK NIGHTS
TCS Sydney Marathon Track Night has launched a free community running series that opened with a women’s only Track Night at Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre, creating a space for women to train, connect and build confidence in a supportive environment. TCS Sydney Marathon is proudly supported by Destination NSW.
PENRITH BEACH SEASON EXTENDED
Penrith Beach will open for an extra day on the new Anzac Day public holiday and operate with extended hours for the Easter long weekend. The destination has welcomed 118,000 visitors so far this season and almost 450,000 since opening in December 2023. The NSW Government has committed to opening Penrith Beach for the 2026-27 summer period.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
REGIONAL EVENT FUND 2026-27 APPLICATIONS CLOSING SOON: Destination NSW is backing visitor economy growth in regional NSW with $1.5 million available for events through the Regional Event Fund 2026-27. Submissions close 12 April. Learn more
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES NEW AVIATION CONSUMER PROTECTIONS LEGISLATION: The reforms will reshape the way consumers interact with the aviation industry, providing them with the protections when things go wrong, while still supporting a competitive and affordable industry. Learn more
PORT AUTHORITY COMMUNITY GRANTS OPEN: To be eligible, the project or program must be located within 10km of one of NSW's six ports. Learn more
HUSKISSON BLAK MARKETS CELEBRATES SOUTH COAST ABORIGINAL CULTURE: The Markets will feature more than 20 unique stalls selling a range of authentic artworks, craft, bush foods and clothing. Learn more
ENTRIES OPEN 2026 OUTDOOR INDUSTRY AWARDS NSW & ACT: The awards celebrate excellence, leadership and impact across education, recreation, adventure tourism, therapy, events and supporting services. Learn more
ARTIFICIAL REEFS BRING FISHING OPPORTUNITIES: A new artificial reef has been installed off the Ballina coast and a second reef will soon be deployed off Coffs Harbour as the NSW Government works to boost tourism and sustainable recreational fishing. Learn more
YHA AUSTRALIA'S ACCOMMODATION NETWORK CERTIFIED WITH ECOTOURISM AUSTRALIA: It is the first accommodation network globally to certify its entire portfolio. Learn more
FOLLOW DESTINATION NSW ON LINKEDIN: Stay up to date with all the latest Destination NSW initiatives by following us on LinkedIn. Click here
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