Insights - 10 April 2026
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RECORD-BREAKING WHALE WATCHING
SEASON FOR NSW
NSW’s ‘Humpback Highway’ will welcome record numbers of whales this season, putting coastal tourism operators in the fast lane from April to November.
Marine scientists estimate more than 50,000 eastern Australian humpback whales will migrate from Antarctica to the South Pacific along the NSW coast, 20,000 more than the estimated pre-whaling population of the early 1900s.
Nature-based tourism has been identified as a visitor economy growth driver in the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035. NSW has more than 2000km of coastline that attracts high-value visitors, supports regional businesses and economies and strengthens the state's position as a leader in nature-based tourism.
Destination NSW has produced a 'Where to see whales on the NSW coast' guide that explores the diverse visitor experiences available.
FUNDING PROGRAM FOR WESTERN SYDNEY
BUSINESS EVENTS
Business Events Sydney (BESydney) has launched a new funding program aimed at delivering more national business events to Western Sydney.
The Western Sydney Meetings Fund (WSMF) – National is designed to drive economic impact, strengthen the business event supply chain and build awareness of Western Sydney as a competitive business event destination.
Funding is available to organisers of national association or corporate meetings, conferences or conventions. Applications close on 12 June 2026.
VOTING OPENS FOR TOP TOURISM TOWN AWARDS
NRMA People’s Choice voting has opened for the 2026 NSW Top Tourism Town awards.
The awards program, run by the NSW Tourism Association, brings a focus to regional destinations across the state.
Nominees in the Top Tourism Towns category (population over 5000) are: Ballina, Coffs Harbour, Forbes, Kiama, Moree, Orange, Shellharbour and Wollongong.
Nominees in the Small Tourism Towns category (population between 1500 – 5000) are: Oberon, Gloucester, Gulgong, Shoal Bay and Thirlmere.
Nominees in the Tiny Tourism Towns category (population below 1500) are: Broke, Millthorpe and Mungindi.
NEW KUALA LUMPUR- SYDNEY ROUTE
Batik Air is strengthening its presence in Australia with the introduction of a direct Kuala Lumpur–Sydney service from 1 July 2026. The new route will add 120,000 seats annually. NSW welcomed 45,800 Malaysian visitors in 2025 (up 6.1 per cent year on year), who stayed 1.2 million nights and injected $117.7 million into the state's visitor economy.
FREE SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN IN SYDNEY
Families can spend hours visiting the state’s cultural institutions free of charge during the school holidays. Located close to public transport, activities include exploring the State Library’s Shakespeare Room, joining the Sydney Opera House’s Art on the Steps program and viewing Sydney Observatory’s Southern Sky Astrophotography exhibition.
SPENDING RISES ON TRAVEL AND CONCERTS
New Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows discretionary spending rose 0.5 per cent in February 2026, driven by recreational and cultural activities such as concerts and musicals, as well as higher spending on air travel and accommodation services.
FUELCHECK UPGRADE SUPPORTS NSW DRIVERS
The NSW Government has encouraged holidaymakers to plan ahead, check local conditions and download the FuelCheck app to ensure they make the most of the autumn holiday period. FuelCheck has received a $2.2 million upgrade to better support NSW’s fuel supply response.
NSW HOSTS AUSTRALIA'S LARGEST REGATTA
Sail Port Stephens will be held from 13 April to 3 May 2026 and is expected to be the biggest in its 18-year history. The event will bring more than 300 boats and thousands of sailors to the region and inject an estimated $3.5 million into the visitor economy. Sail Port Stephens is proudly supported by Destination NSW.
BUSHFOOD FUNDING FOR BEGA
The Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council has received $231,000 in NSW Government funding to establish a bushfoods business that will teach young people to grow native plants, cook with them and supply food to corporate catering clients and local tourism operators.
FIRST GLIMPSE OF SYDNEY METRO WEST STATIONS
With major tunnelling works now complete, focus for Metro West has turned to the construction of the train line and the stations, with construction due to commence by the end of the year.
RECORD VISITATION FOR BOTANIC GARDENS
Sydney’s Botanic Gardens welcomed close to four million people over summer across all three Gardens and The Domain and more than 10 million visits during the financial year.
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 on 12 April. Learn more
UPDATE ON GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY CLOSURE: Transport for NSW will hold a briefing on 23 April 2026 to provide experts with extensive geotechnical and site condition data to help them develop and test solutions to safely reopen Mitchells Causeway. Learn more
ASSISTANCE FOR MID-COAST TOURISM BUSINESSES SEEKING ECO DESTINATION CERTIFICATION: MidCoast Council will reimburse the cost of certification for up to four businesses. Learn more
33 LIFE-SAVING ROAD SAFETY PROJECTS ACROSS REGIONAL NSW: The Australian and NSW Governments are partnering to deliver the projects with a joint 50/50 investment of more than $19.7 million through the Road Safety Program. 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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