September Southern Snapshot: new experiences, awards and seasonal support
Banner Image: Couple enjoying a scenic morning walk around Wasp Head, Murramarang National Park. | Credit: Destination NSW
A few words from your South Coast/Snowies Industry Development Manager
I’m fortunate to work across a wonderfully diverse part of our southern region, spanning Australia’s alpine environments down to our wild southern coastline.
This diversity brings inevitable seasonality. Visitation to the Snowies peaks when the snow falls, while sunny days and warmer waters draw visitors to our coastal villages. Our goal is to help smooth out those extremes by working with industry to show that the Snowy Monaro is fantastic outside the white, cold months, and our coastal strip is just as special off-peak.
While year-round visitation is the aim, we also need to remain mindful of the operators themselves. Many tourism businesses in our region are small or family-run, often with fewer than five staff. Their owners are frequently doing everything, from administration and guiding to content creation and marketing, after navigating bushfires, COVID, floods and economic shifts.
We understand that running a successful regional business is demanding, and that quieter periods can provide an important opportunity to rest and reset. Finding a sustainable balance between building year-round visitation and supporting operator wellbeing matters.
We want to support our industry partners through both the busy and quieter times. Please feel free to reach out to us anytime to chat about finding a sensible balance between work and rest. We are here to listen, understand the pressures you are facing and connect you with practical business support where we can. Jenny
Need Support?
Contact us below. We’re here to help.
Read on to discover insights and resources, including:
On the Ground – Destination Southern across the region.
Industry Insights – research, trends and sector updates.
Upskill & Connect – training and development opportunities.
Opportunities to Grow – grants, funding and business support.
A busy August for the Destination Southern team
Bringing tourism leaders, regional partners and operators together while contributing to important strategic discussions at both regional and state levels.
Strengthening collaboration across regional NSW
Images: Destination NSW and Regional Destination Network representatives at the NSW First planning workshop in Sydney. | Credit: Destination NSW
Destination Southern joined Destination NSW and representatives from the other six regional Destination Networks in Sydney for a full-day planning workshop focused on the NSW First Program.
The NSW First Program helps visitor economy businesses develop, promote and sell world-class experiences. The workshop provided an opportunity to consider how Destination NSW and the regional Destination Networks can work together to strengthen the program’s delivery across the state.
Drawing on the extensive experience of our team and the systems and processes we have developed, Destination Southern was able to make a positive contribution and bring practical regional insights to the discussion.
Thank you to the Destination NSW team for bringing everyone together and facilitating such a valuable and productive workshop. We look forward to continuing this collaboration and supporting the delivery of NSW First across Southern NSW.
Bringing tourism leaders and operators together
Images: The smiling faces of Southern NSW, including the Destination Southern Board and team and tourism leaders from across our LGAs and VisitCanberra. | Credit: Destination Southern NSW
Destination Southern brought tourism leaders, regional partners and local operators together during a visit by the Destination NSW Board and senior leadership team to the Southern Tablelands on 5 and 6 August.
Across the two-day program, we:
Showcased wineries, agritourism businesses, villages and visitor experiences across the Southern Tablelands
Convened and contributed to discussions with Destination NSW and VisitCanberra on opportunities to strengthen cross-border collaboration.
Connected local operators with Destination NSW Board members and senior leaders at a stakeholder event hosted at Shaw Estate
Progressed conversations about the regional implementation of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035
Destination NSW Chair Sally Loane highlighted the consistently high standard of tourism products across the region. CEO Karen Jones also noted that several priorities identified in the Visitor Economy Strategy 2035 were already progressing in Southern NSW.
The visit provided an important opportunity to bring regional perspectives directly into strategic discussions and strengthen coordination between local, regional and state tourism organisations.
Destination Southern will continue working with Destination NSW and industry partners to progress shared priorities, support operators and grow the Southern NSW visitor economy.
Alkira Aldridge recognised among NSW’s top tour guides
Congratulations to Alkira Aldridge, Tourism Coordinator and Senior Ranger with Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council, who received Bronze in the 2026 NSW Top Tour Guide Awards.
A proud Thaua woman, Alkira leads the Bilbaan Cultural Experience on the Bundian Way, sharing culture, language and stories while helping visitors understand the deep relationship between Aboriginal people and Country.
This new South Durras tourism experience is proving popular, with places filling quickly and more dates being added.
Join renowned geologist and educator Gary Lewis to explore the area’s ancient Permian rocks. See fossils, an igneous intrusion, evidence of glaciation and a rock moved by a tsunami.
You may recognise Wasp Head as the landmark featured in this eNews banner.
Congratulations to Tathra Beach Eco Camp, named joint NSW Holiday Park of the Year in the More than 100 Sites category at the Caravan & Camping Industry Association NSW 2026 Awards of Excellence.
Presented alongside Discovery Holiday Parks Forster, the award recognises Tathra Beach Eco Camp’s contribution to the quality and strength of the regional caravan and camping sector.
Blackwattle Alpaca Farm named Regional Heroes finalist
Blackwattle Alpaca Farm has been selected as a finalist in Kochie’s Business Builders Regional Heroes awards.
The recognition celebrates Angela and Matthew’s work building a memorable farm experience and highlights the important contribution small tourism businesses make to regional communities and the visitor economy.
Blackwattle Alpaca Farm will now compete against other regional finalists, with the winner decided by public vote.
Support our Regional Hero by voting for Blackwattle Alpaca Farm using the link below, and please share this link with your friends and family!
Southern NSW wineries recognised in Halliday Wine Companion
Ravensworth, Clonakilla, Nick O’Leary Wines, Helm Wines, Mount Majura, Collector, and Eden Road Wines were recognised as 5 Red Star wineries, Halliday Wine Companion’s highest winery classification, acknowledging sustained excellence over many years.
Lark Hill, Four Winds Vineyard, Lake George, Sapling Yard, and Shaw Wines also received strong reviews in the latest edition.
Congratulations to the wineries, winemakers, growers and teams whose dedication continues to strengthen Southern NSW’s reputation as a leading cool-climate wine destination.
Would you like to share your new product, experience or event? Contact your Industry Development Manager to learn more.
Tourism 2035 is a new 10-year strategy focused on growing international demand and strengthening Australia’s competitiveness as a destination.
The strategy aims to increase total overnight spend by high-yield international travellers to between $61 billion and $69 billion by 2035.
Its immediate priorities include marketing to people and AI-powered systems, showcasing Australia’s breadth of experiences, using major events to drive wider visitation and developing a distinctive luxury position based on nature, connection and rare experiences.
For Southern NSW operators, the strategy highlights the growing importance of strong digital visibility, connected visitor experiences and products responding to demand for authentic, nature-based and responsible travel.
Tourism Australia, Austrade and Australia’s State and Territory Tourism Organisations have released an overview of the European Union’s Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive.
The Directive introduces new requirements for environmental and social claims made to consumers from 27 September 2026. The overview will help Australian tourism businesses understand the changes and consider whether their marketing practices meet the new requirements, particularly if they promote their products or experiences to European travellers.
With H5 bird flu (avian influenza) receiving increased attention, tourism businesses may have questions about potential impacts on the visitor economy.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, the lead agency coordinating the NSW response, has prepared a presentation for tourism businesses, operators and community partners outlining the current situation and providing practical information.
Discover the latest trends, research and opportunities shaping agritourism around the world in this free webinar hosted by Sparrowly Group.
Drawing on insights from the inaugural Global Agritourism Conference, held in Scotland in June 2026, the session will explore the sector’s growth and diversity through international data, policy developments and case studies.
New research involving 2,292 Australians found that one in five had changed their most recent holiday because of weather, while one-third had avoided destinations they considered too hot.
Interestingly, nature-based tourists were reluctant to change their plans during adverse weather, despite nearly half of participants being poorly prepared for extreme heat.
The findings are timely as September marks the beginning of the Bush Fire Danger Period on the Far South Coast and the seasonal outlook identifies an increased spring fire risk across parts of southeastern NSW.
Tourism operators can support safe visitor experiences by reviewing weather and bush fire procedures, staff preparedness, activity scheduling and how current information is communicated to visitors.
National data provides context, noting that local conditions may vary across subregions.
Welcoming All Customers: free accessibility workshop
Sparrowly Group is hosting a free Welcoming All Customers online workshop, as part of their Build Better Business Regional Training Roadshow on 16 September, 2026.
The two-hour online session will help you design experiences that are memorable and genuinely accessible to every visitor, covering ideal customers and products, plus practical access and inclusion tools you can apply straight away, including the different types of disability and common pitfalls to avoid.
You will leave with quick wins and a clearer picture of the customers you could be welcoming and how to communicate effectively.
Welcoming All Customers workshop
Date: Wednesday 16 September 2026 Time: 11am–1pm AEST Location: Online via Google Meet Cost: Free
The Australian Taxation Office is delivering free, one-hour online masterclasses to help small business owners understand their responsibilities and strengthen their day-to-day operations.
Running from August to October 2026, upcoming sessions cover e-Invoicing, cash flow, tax deductions, super guarantee obligations, record keeping, GST, hiring workers and other essential business topics.
Participants can hear directly from experienced ATO staff, work through practical scenarios and gain guidance to help establish good habits and avoid common pitfalls.
Build your financial confidence with Xero For Good
Xero has launched Financial Fitness, a free learning program designed to help Australian small business owners better understand their finances. Bite-sized videos, practical guides and mentoring support cover topics including cash flow, budgeting and financial statements.
The program responds to Xero research showing that 35% of surveyed small business owners did not often know whether they had made a profit in the previous month, while 32% were not regularly paying themselves a wage.
The Service NSW Business Bureau provides free, personalised support to help NSW businesses navigate government services and find relevant assistance.
Businesses can receive guidance on licences and permits, grants and funding, government programs, business growth, and disaster support and recovery. Assistance is available over the phone or in person.
The Business Bureau also provides free webinars, tools and resources. Through a Service NSW Business Profile, businesses can manage licences, apply for grants and rebates, and track applications in one place.
Access subsidised digital mentoring for your business
The Australian Government’s Digital Solutions Program helps small and micro-businesses make practical use of websites, digital marketing, business software, AI, cybersecurity and other online tools.
Eligible businesses can access five hours of private mentoring for a $110 co-contribution, along with free workshops, webinars and self-paced tutorials.
The program is available to businesses with an ABN and fewer than 20 employees, including sole traders and startups. In NSW, it is delivered by the Australian School of Employment.
Nominations for the next round of the Blue Plaques NSW program close at midnight on Sunday 13 September 2026.
The Destination Southern region currently has four Blue Plaques recognising Professor Thomas Leech in Cooma, Daniel Gowing in Tathra, Syms Covington in Pambula and Arthur Bryant Triggs in Yass.
Communities are encouraged to nominate another person, group or event that made a lasting contribution to NSW. Individuals must have passed away, or the nominated event must have occurred, more than 20 years ago.
Nomination guidance, including a recording of the August information webinar, is available through the Blue Plaques NSW website.
A final word from Destination Southern’s General Manager
This edition reflects the breadth of activity across Southern NSW, from celebrating outstanding operators and new visitor experiences to strengthening collaboration with Destination NSW, regional partners and industry.
As seasonal conditions and visitor expectations continue to evolve, we know businesses are balancing immediate operational demands with longer-term planning. Whether you are developing a new experience, building your team’s capability or looking for practical business support, Destination Southern is here to help.
I encourage you to explore the opportunities in this edition and reach out to our team if there is an area where we can support your business.
Richard
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.
Grants and Resources
Explore current grants, funding opportunities and practical resources
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, PO Box 1025, Goulburn, NSW 2580, Australia
