Welcome to the first edition of Southern Snapshot for 2026.
As the summer holiday period continues, early indicators point to strong demand across Southern NSW, reinforcing the important role tourism plays in supporting local businesses, jobs and communities.
This edition shares a snapshot of activity on the ground, new product and experience development across the region, and key industry insights shaping the year ahead. From strong summer spending and caravan and camping demand to investment, sustainability and capability-building resources, the focus remains on supporting a resilient and high-quality visitor economy across Southern NSW.
Wishing our local operators a strong start to the new year.
Destination Southern Team
Strategy. Advocacy. Capacity. Capability. Destination Southern delivers the foundations of a strong visitor economy. Email | Website | LinkedIn
Banner Image: Shopping, Central Tilba | Credit Destination NSW
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 small regionally-based team, we focus on four key activities that deliver local and regional impact:
Whilst we provide strategy, advocacy and coordination, and build industry capacity and capability to support long-term visitor economy growth, consumer marketing is delivered by councils and Destination NSW.
Regional Highlights
Local stories to celebrate 🎉
An off-grid A-Frame retreat designed for stillness, comfort, and connection | Credit: Beata Dyszkant
Congratulations to Beata Dyszkant and Norbert Peregrym of Kallarroo Farmstay on the opening of the Riverview A-Frame, a private, off-grid, luxury secluded cabin. Situated on 1,000 acres of farmland and sweeping valley and Snowy Mountains views, the cabin is designed for comfort and connection with nature, offering refined interiors, expansive decking, wildlife encounters and an outdoor hot tub.
The Good Sauna provides a haven of peace and stillness perched above sea-side overlooking Gulaga Mountain at Horseshoe Bay, Bermagui | Credit: Good Sauna
Good Sauna launched on Far South Coast
Far South Coast business Good Sauna has launched a traditional wood-fired communal sauna overlooking Horseshoe Bay in Bermagui, with views to Gulaga Mountain. The experience reflects a growing focus on recovery, resilience and reconnection through nature-based and wellbeing tourism offerings. Congratulations to Luke Axisa (Founder/Director), Erin Lynzaat, and Jonaki Adcock on bringing this new experience to life.
South Coast Tap House, Merimbula| Credit: Nigel Ayling
South Coast Tap House opens in Merimbula
Congratulations to Nigel Ayling and team on the launch of the South Coast Tap House, which has opened in Merimbula’s Galleria Arcade, introducing a new small bar inspired by Melbourne laneways. Showcasing locally brewed beers, wines and spirits, the venue features interactive beer education, tap takeovers and a regularly rotating selection, offering visitors a distinctive and evolving experience in the town centre.
Thredbo - Australia’s best ski resort
Thredbo Resort has again been recognised as Australia’s Best Ski Resort at the 2025 World Ski Awards, marking its ninth consecutive year receiving the honour. The resort was also named Best Australian Ski Resort for Families at the Out & About with Kids Readers’ Choice Awards and Best Australian Ski Resort at the Snowsports Industries of Australia Awards. The 2025 winter season delivered strong on-mountain outcomes, including a record number of events, investment in snowmaking at Friday Flat to improve reliability for beginners, and ISO 14001:2015 certification, reinforcing Thredbo’s commitment to environmental management and long-term visitor experience quality.
Sea Otter Australia delivers strong regional impact
Sea Otter Australia has released its 2025 Festival Report, confirming strong demand for a world-class cycling and outdoor event in regional NSW. The inaugural festival in Batemans Bay generated more than $5 million in estimated visitor economy expenditure and demonstrated its value as a long-term asset for the region, with a 10-year licence now secured to support ongoing growth.
Small-scale, locally led investment is strengthening the visitor economy across Southern NSW, with Tarago offering a clear example. Since opening in 2021, The Corner has transformed the town centre into a place where visitors are encouraged to stop, explore and spend, demonstrating how place-based investment and collaboration can support sustainable tourism growth while retaining local character.
New NAB data highlights the critical role summer tourism plays in supporting coastal visitor economies across Southern NSW, with spending in key hotspots up by as much as 80 per cent during the peak holiday period. The impact was particularly strong in Merimbula, where accommodation spending increased by 465 per cent, and Batemans Bay, where restaurants and bars recorded a 209 per cent rise, delivering flow-on benefits for local jobs, suppliers and small businesses.
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 📊
Robin Mack appointed Managing Director of Tourism Australia
Tourism Australia has announced the appointment of Robin Mack as its new Managing Director. Having spent 13 years with the organisation and serving as Acting Managing Director since August, the appointment provides continuity of leadership as Tourism Australia continues to focus on driving sustainable demand and industry growth.
Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge Standards
The Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge Standards provide practical guidance to support respectful, culturally safe engagement on Aboriginal Cultural Heritage. Developed in partnership with Aboriginal communities, the Standards set clear expectations for collaboration and establish a new benchmark for best practice.
Share the shore this summer
As visitor numbers increase over the summer holiday period, protecting coastal environments remains critical. From August to March, threatened shorebirds nest along the NSW coastline, and simple actions such as respecting signage and keeping dogs away from nesting areas can help ensure beaches remain healthy and welcoming for future generations. Find out more here.
Caravan and camping drives visitation
NSW leads Australia in domestic caravan and camping travel, with demand flowing through to the South Coast and Sapphire Coast. Tourism Research Australia data shows caravan and camping remains a key driver of regional visitation, with Tathra Beach Eco Camp's success at the NSW Tourism Awards highlighting the strength of the region's nature-based, sustainable accommodation offering.
Bushfire season preparation
Destination NSW has updated its Quick Tips for Natural Disasters guides to support visitor economy businesses ahead of the summer holiday period. The guides provide practical advice on planning, response and recovery, helping businesses understand risk, prepare staff and reduce the impacts of natural disasters.
Small business insurance
A new report, 'Addressing the small business insurance challenge' from the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlights the growing impact of rising insurance costs and regulatory complexity on small businesses. For visitor economy operators, affordable and accessible insurance remains critical to resilience, safety and confidence, particularly in regions exposed to natural disasters and seasonal risk.
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.
Upskill & Connect
Training, events and industry engagement 🎫
Video guides: accessibility and inclusion in tourism
Destination NSW has released a six-part video series, developed with Get Skilled Access, to support tourism businesses in improving accessibility and inclusion. The series covers practical topics including inclusive events, accessible marketing and supporting neurodivergent travellers.
The NSW and Canberra Region Tourism award programs provide more than recognition; it is a valuable business development opportunity. Completing an application helps operators clarify strategy, refine marketing and risk management plans, strengthen data and benchmark performance, regardless of the final result. Simply entering can deliver marketing exposure, with additional benefits for finalists and winners.
Destination Southern strongly encourages operators to start thinking early and offers support throughout the process, including one-on-one guidance from your Industry Development Manager and updates on workshops or mentoring opportunities as they become available.
Nominations are now open for the NSW Top Tourism Town Awards, recognising outstanding regional destinations and tour guides from coast to country. Delivered by the NSW Tourism Association, the program celebrates communities that bring local stories, experiences and places to life.
Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your town and gain recognition at both state and national levels.
✔️Start early to allow ample time for drafting and feedback.
✔️Ensure your submission aligns with the eligibility criteria and entry requirements.
The Venue Upgrade Grants 2025–26 Infrastructure and Equipment grant aims to strengthen venue capability, improve sustainability and support high-quality live music experiences across NSW. Dedicated live music venues can apply for funding of up to $150,000 to support infrastructure upgrades and equipment purchases.
Applications close 9 February 2026 (11:00am) | More info
Local Audience Development Grants
The Local Audience Development Grants program supports contemporary music events and festivals that build new audiences and encourage participation by young people. Grants of up to $100,000 are available to support new programming that promotes NSW music, strengthens local collaboration and increases access to all-ages live music experiences, particularly in regional NSW.
Applications close 12 February 2026 (2pm) | More info
Special Entertainment Precincts Kickstart Grant Program
The Special Entertainment Precincts (SEP) Kickstart Grant Program supports NSW councils to establish and implement Special Entertainment Precincts, embedding best-practice night-time precinct management and safety principles. Grants from $20,000 to $250,000 are available to support strategic planning, community engagement, technical work and Purple Flag accreditation.
Applications close 13 April 2026 (2pm) | 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
