Insights - 24 April 2026
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RECORD-BREAKING VISITS TO NSW NATIONAL PARKS
National parks across NSW have recorded their highest-ever visitation, with 65.5 million visits during the 2024-25 financial year.
The latest NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Park Visitation Survey also includes international visitation data for the first time, which shows 72 per cent of overseas travellers visited at least one national park during the period.
View the top 10 most-visited national parks here.
NEW NSW GREAT WALKS CAMPAIGN
The ‘Find Your Path on a NSW Great Walk’ campaign has returned, highlighting seven spectacular multi-day walks across the state.
Delivered by Destination NSW and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the new campaign activity is currently rolling out across digital, social and video in the ACT, Sydney and regional NSW.
LESS THAN ONE MONTH UNTIL VIVID SYDNEY
Vivid Sydney will light up the Harbour City for 23 nights from 22 May to 13 June 2026.
Sydney will come alive with light, music, food and performance, celebrating NSW’s cultural vibrancy and creative talent through collaborations with boundary‑pushing artists, musicians, thinkers and culinary experts.
The Southern Hemisphere's largest multi-artform festival will draw millions of domestic and international visitors, powering the state's visitor and night-time economies and cementing Sydney’s status as a global leader in immersive cultural experiences.
Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW.
Learn more here.
VIVID SYDNEY CHARITY PARTNER ANNOUNCED
Foodbank NSW & ACT has been confirmed as the official Charity Partner for Vivid Sydney 2026.
The state and territory’s largest food relief organisation provides much-needed food assistance to individuals and families through its network of more than 700 community partners and over 900 schools.
Foodbank NSW & ACT will feature across the festival, with an interactive light installation in Tumbalong Park and a panel discussion on the Food for Thought stage at Vivid Fire Kitchen on 2 June – helping to shine a light on the scale and reality of food insecurity and reinforcing Vivid Sydney’s commitment to giving back to the community.
Learn more here.
VIVID SYDNEY LIGHTS UP THE CITY FOR FAMILIES
Vivid Sydney 2026 will deliver a children’s wonderland to the city, with a dedicated program of family-friendly experiences and interactive events.
With more than 80 per cent of the program free to enjoy, Australia’s largest event will offer a mix of free and ticketed events designed to engage younger audiences.
NSW TOURISM AWARDS 2026 NOW OPEN
Nominations are open for the 2026 NSW Tourism Awards. Presented by the NSW Tourism Association, the awards recognise the operators, experiences and destinations driving the state’s visitor economy. Winners will be announced on 9 November 2026.
AUSTRALIAN EVENT AWARDS ENTRIES OPEN
Entries are open for the Australian Event Awards, with winners to be announced at the Australian Event Symposium and Awards on 21 October 2026. Proudly supported by Destination NSW, City of Coffs Harbour will host the event as part of a three-year partnership.
BRADFIELD CITY OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Australia’s first new city in 100 years is officially open for business, with the NSW Government launching the Bradfield City ‘Built for what’s next’ campaign. The campaign will showcase Bradfield as a city on the doorstep of an international airport that features access to world‑class infrastructure, as well as a skilled local workforce.
NEW SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL REPORT
According to Booking.com's Travel & Sustainability Report 2026, 85 per cent of travellers say sustainable travel is important or very important to them; 74 per cent consider the risk of extreme weather when choosing destinations and timing their trips; 43 per cent plan to avoid crowds; and 42 per cent plan to travel out of season.
SUCCESSFUL CRUISE SEASON FOR EDEN
Eden’s 2025-26 summer cruise season concluded this week, with Norwegian Spirit making the final call to the port. Over the past 12 months, Eden has welcomed more than 50,000 cruise passengers, delivering strong outcomes for the region's visitor economy.
NEWCASTLE SCORES IN RUGBY WORLD CUP
Newcastle's preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup will ramp up early, with Japan and Ireland confirmed to play at McDonald Jones Stadium on 11 July 2026. The tournament is proudly supported by Destination NSW and will see Newcastle host four pool matches.
NEW OBSERVATORY FOR NORTHERN NSW
The Northern Rivers has a new star in its visitor economy with the official opening of the Mallanganee Observatory-Lookout. The project was made possible through a $2.067 million investment from the NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Activation Fund.
TWO ECO CERTIFICATIONS FOR CENTRAL COAST
Broken Bay Pearl Farm and Pullman Magenta Shores Resort have achieved ECO Certified status with Ecotourism Australia. ECO Certification is assessed across four pillars of sustainability: cultural, environmental, socio-economic impact and business operations.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
LARGEST-EVER FIELD FOR TCS MINI MARATHON: The marathon has been expanded following record-breaking demand that saw last year's event sell out. The TCS Sydney Marathon is proudly supported by Destination NSW. Learn more
WAGGA WAGGA TOURISM SUPPORT: Wagga Wagga City Council has launched a two-year program to support agritourism and the hospitality industry, with funding from NSW Government’s Regional Economic Development and Community Investment Program. Learn more
$5.45 MILLION AWARDED TO NSW SURF CLUBS: The NSW Government has awarded grants to NSW Surf Life Saving Clubs through the Surf Club Facility Program. Learn more
$500,000 TO IMPROVE DISABILITY ACCESS AT SAILS HOLIDAY PARK: Supported by funding from the NSW Government, the project will deliver new accessible camping and caravanning accommodation at Belmont. Learn more
TOUCH FOOTBALL AUSTRALIA LOCKS IN COFFS HARBOUR FOR NATIONAL YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS: The 2026 tournament will take place at C.ex Coffs International Stadium from 28 September to 1 October, proudly supported by Destination NSW. Learn more
HAZARD REDUCTION TASKFORCE TO BOOST BUSHFIRE PROTECTION: The NSW Government has launched a new multi-agency taskforce to accelerate hazard reduction across the state. Learn more
NEW $56 MILLION PACKAGE TO DRIVE ONGOING FLOOD RECOVERY FOR THE MID NORTH COAST: The Australian and NSW Governments have announced funding to support communities as they rebuild following severe weather in May 2025 and ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Learn more
GRANTS FOR CITY AND BUSH COMMUNITY PROJECTS: Upgrades to a 150-year-old opera house and an Aboriginal digital arts studio are among 39 projects sharing in $6.4 million from the latest round of the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants program. Learn more
EXPEDIA CLOSES LASTMINUTE.COM.AU: Expedia has announced the lastminute.com.au website and app will no longer be available to make new bookings from 2 June 2026. The website operated in Australia for 25 years. 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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