Welcome to the final edition of Southern Snapshot for 2025.
As we reflect on the past year, it is clear that collaboration, creativity and resilience continue to shape the visitor economy across Southern NSW. From new product and trail developments to industry forums, capability-building initiatives and community-led experiences, the region has continued to evolve with purpose and momentum.
Thank you to our region's tourism operators, councils, partners and industry organisations who have worked with us throughout 2025. Your insights, leadership and commitment to delivering high-quality visitor experiences remain central to the region’s success. We look forward to continuing this work in 2026.
Wishing you a safe, restorative and prosperous festive season.
Destination Southern Team Email | Website | LinkedIn PO Box 1025 Goulburn NSW 2580
Banner Image: 2025 NSW Tourism Awards
Who is Destination Southern?
Destination Southern is one of seven Destination Networks funded by the NSW Government to strengthen the visitor economy across Southern NSW. Guided by our Board and a small regional team, we focus on strategy, advocacy, and industry development, delivering the Southern NSW Destination Management Plan, coordinating stakeholders, and building sector-wide capacity through regional projects. We also support operator capability via Development Pathways, workshops, events, and one-on-one assistance. We do not undertake consumer marketing; instead, we work behind the scenes to connect councils, industry, and government, and ensure local priorities shape regional outcomes.
The Destination Southern team, Richard Everson GAICD, Jenny Robb and Jessica Bryden, attended alongside board member Olivier Kapetanakos, who also contributed perspectives as a small business owner and regional advocate.
In our role as an essential conduit between NSW Government, local government and industry, the Destination Southern team facilitated 90 minutes of themed discussions across three of the 12 tables, covering workforce, regional branding, events and experiences, seasonality and dispersal, cultural tourism, and communication and connectivity. The format ensured strong representation from tourism operators, who made up around one-third of attendees.
We look forward to reviewing the consultation insights gathered on the day and sharing outcomes with stakeholders across Southern NSW. Congratulations to Olivia West and the RDASNA team for convening a well-engaged and forward-looking event.
Read more about the event and view pictures via our LinkedIn post.
Regional Highlights
Local stories to celebrate 🎉
2025 Canberra Region Tourism Awards
Celebrating success across two major tourism award programs
Destination Southern is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of operators across our region at both the 2025 NSW Tourism Awards and the 2025 Canberra Region Tourism Awards.
NSW Tourism Awards Nine exceptional finalists represented the Destination Southern region, with several receiving top honours. Congratulations to:
Crank it Up Festival – Gold, Festivals and Events
Narooma Oyster Festival – Silver, Festivals and Events
Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council – Gold, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences
Tathra Beach Ecocamp – Gold, Caravan and Holiday Parks
Foxdog Distillery – Silver, New Tourism Business
Canberra Region Tourism Awards Southern NSW operators also performed strongly at the Canberra Region Tourism Awards. Congratulations to:
Murrumbateman Chocolate Co – Winner, Excellence in Food Tourism; Highly Commended, Tourism Retail and Hire Services
Shaw Estate – Winner, New Tourism Business
Murrumbateman Field Days – Winner, Festivals and Events
These achievements highlight the strength and diversity of visitor experiences across Southern NSW and the vital role our operators play in the regional economy. The tribute at the NSW awards to our late Chair, Richard Beere, served as a timely reminder of the strong industry connections that continue to shape our region.
Destination Southern congratulates all finalists and winners and acknowledges the dedication and leadership that make Southern NSW a must-visit destination. View more pictures via our LinkedIn post.
Eurobodalla hosts inaugural Tourism Industry Forum
More than 150 operators and industry partners came together on 10 November for Eurobodalla Shire Council’s first Tourism Industry Forum, signalling a strong step forward in regional collaboration. Held at the Bay Pavilions, the forum brought national and state tourism leaders together with local operators to explore growth, innovation and the future visitor experience. The event, led by the new Visitor Economy Advisory Committee, reflected a confident and connected outlook for Eurobodalla’s visitor economy. Read more and view pictures via our LinkedIn post.
Jigamy Campground opens on Thaua Country
A new campground has officially opened at Jigamy Farm between Pambula and Eden, adding a meaningful cultural experience to the Sapphire Coast’s visitor offering. Owned and managed by the local Aboriginal community, the campground provides spacious unpowered sites alongside a new solar-powered amenities building with accessible facilities and a modern camp kitchen. The opening strengthens opportunities for visitors to engage with Thaua Country while supporting community-led tourism and cultural wellbeing.
Monaro Country Lavender 30th anniversary event
Australia’s oldest lavender collective, Monaro Country Lavender, will offer a series of immersive lavender experiences from 21–25 January 2026. Visitors can take part in farm visits, pick-your-own lavender, oil distillation demonstrations and relaxed picnics among the fields, showcasing one of the region’s long-standing agricultural tourism stories.
Trail Yarns competition winner announced
Congratulations to Geoff Filmer, winner of the Trail Yarns – Subscribe & Win competition held during the Sea Otter Australia Summit. The competition supported the launch of Great Southern Trails, a new regional mountain-biking experience connecting ten world-class trail networks across Southern NSW and the ACT. Thank you to everyone who visited the DSNSW stand and subscribed to Trail Yarns.
Would you like to share your new product, experience or event? Contact your Industry Development Manager to learn more.
Industry Insights
Data, insights and updates đź“Š
2024–25 Annual Report
Destination NSW has released its 2024–25 Annual Report summarising activity, investment, and performance over the period to 30 June 2025. The report highlights key achievements supporting the growth and sustainability of the NSW visitor economy.
Renewable Fuel Strategy
NSW has launched its Renewable Fuel Strategy to accelerate the use of renewable fuels across the state. This policy aims to cut emissions and support low-carbon alternatives in aviation and transport, important long-term enablers for sustainable tourism.
EOI Jindabyne Mountain Bike & Adventure Park
EOIs are open for investors to develop and operate the new Jindabyne Mountain Bike and Adventure Park, a 500-hectare site that includes government-delivered access, amenities and Stage 1 trails.
EV charger expansion
$5.9 million will be invested in regional electric vehicle charging, with 159 new chargers to be installed across 48 regional towns. The expansion will improve connectivity along key tourism routes and support visitor travel across regional NSW.
Tourism Investment Monitor
Tourism Research Australia’s 2024–25 Tourism Investment Monitor shows NSW recorded the highest number of tourism investment projects nationwide, with 104 projects worth $1.8 billion across aviation, accommodation, recreation, arts and business services. Total investment increased by 10 per cent year-on-year.
E-bike standard reinstated
Australian Infrastructure and Transport Ministers have reinstated the internationally recognised EN15194 e-bike standard, providing immediate clarity for importers and improving safety and quality benchmarks while a new national e-mobility framework is developed.
Visitor economy insurance survey
A survey is being conducted to understand how the availability of affordable public liability insurance can be improved for Australia’s tourism providers.
Office of Tourism and the Visitor Economy (OTVE)
The Australian Government has launched the Office of Tourism and the Visitor Economy (OTVE) at Austrade’s Canberra office, strengthening the profile of national tourism functions and their alignment with trade and investment priorities. The announcement reaffirmed a focus on delivering THRIVE 2030, including boosting regional tourism spend and addressing workforce challenges to support long-term industry growth.
Please note that while we are keen to share information relevant to the sector, it is essential to recognise that the data we're sharing may not accurately reflect our local conditions.
Opportunities to Grow
Grants and funding now open 🌱
NSW Take-Off Fund now open
Airports across NSW can apply for funding under the NSW Take-Off Fund, a $12.5 million program designed to attract new airline services and boost aviation capacity.
Stronger Together Local Councils Major Festival Grants
The Stronger Together Local Councils Major Festival grant funding is allocating $3 million for major festivals run by local Councils across NSW in 2025–26, with up to $250,000 in funding available for each eligible local council.
Aquaculture operators and related businesses can apply for funding between $100,000 and $20 million to modernise infrastructure, improve productivity, strengthen biosecurity, and expand access to new and emerging markets. The program supports projects that advance sustainable aquaculture production, circular economy outcomes, innovation in marine bioproducts and long-term sector resilience.
Snowy Mountains Aboriginal Product Development Program
Supporting Aboriginal businesses to grow capability, activate land assets and expand tourism and related industry opportunities in the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct. Destination Southern may be able to support eligible applicants to help develop strong and competitive submissions.
Aboriginal community organisations and groups can apply for funding between $1,000 and $20,000 to support events and activities celebrating culture, identity and connection to Country. The program is open on a rolling basis until the $1.5 million funding pool is allocated or until 31 March 2026.
Closes on allocation of funding or 31 March 2026 | More info
Destination Southern NSW acknowledges the many Aboriginal Nations and Aboriginal People of the Southern NSW region as the traditional carers and custodians of the land that we all now live and work on. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging. Destination Southern NSW values the diversity of this region and works in partnership with local Aboriginal communities to respectfully celebrate and share Aboriginal culture with visitors to the region and also with locals who live here.
Destination Southern NSW Ltd is supported by the NSW Government and Destination NSW
Destination Southern NSW, PO Box 1025, Goulburn, NSW 2580, Australia
