Regional NSW has been confirmed as Australia’s leading destination for visitors seeking agritourism experiences, according to new data from Tourism Research Australia (TRA).

From the orchards of the Northern Rivers to cellar doors, distilleries and working farms, agritourism is reshaping the way visitors experience NSW.

In 2024, regional NSW attracted 32.7 per cent of domestic overnight visitors who participated in agritourism experiences in regional Australia, the highest share of any regional area in the country.

NSW also welcomed 700,000 international visitors who participated in agritourism experiences during their stay. These visitors spent a total of 15.7 million nights in the state and contributed approximately $2.5 billion to the economy.

The state took advantage of the strong growth in international agritourism to Australia. NSW saw a 12.3 per cent increase in visitors, 15.7 per cent increase in nights and 22 per cent increase in expenditure among international visitors who engaged in agritourism.

International visitors who participated in agritourism experiences during 2024 were also high value, spending on average $3,448 per trip – which was 9.1 per cent higher than the average spend by all international visitors to NSW.

The NSW Government is supporting regional producers to diversify their income and attract new visitors by simplifying planning regulations, funding agritourism initiatives and promoting immersive experiences across the state.

Minister for Tourism Steve Kamper said: “Regional NSW is one of the most seasonally diverse agricultural regions in Australia and attracts more domestic and international visitors each year than anywhere else in regional Australia.

“Agritourism is key to future-proofing our regional visitor economies – drawing travellers to the four corners of the state, from the Northern Rivers to the Riverina, and Port Stephens to Parkes.

“Whether it's touring a working farm like Tropical Fruit World, sampling wines at our world-class vineyards, foraging for truffles in our cool-climate regions or shucking oysters fresh from the estuary - NSW offers some of the most unforgettable agritourism experiences in the world.”

Tropical Fruit World General Manager Aymon Gow said: “We were thrilled to have the Tourism Minister visit our working fruit farm and give him a taste of the role we’ve played in leading the Tweed’s thriving agritourism landscape.

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase how sustainable agriculture supports and strengthens the visitor economy in NSW.

“Our guests love their food and want a better connection to quality produce and provenance. Providing a first-hand experience of a working farm allows them to truly appreciate where their food comes from.”

Destination NSW supports agritourism growth

Destination NSW is also supporting the second annual AgriTourism Summit, to be held in the Orange region from 12–13 August 2025

The summit will bring together producers, operators, tourism professionals and industry stakeholders to share insights, explore opportunities and drive growth in the fast-evolving sector.

Destination NSW’s NSW First Program is the lead NSW Government initiative supporting agritourism businesses to better understand the tourism industry and develop market-ready visitor experiences.

The program includes the NSW First Agritourism Toolkit, which offers practical advice for both new and established operators. It helps businesses create bookable, visitor-ready agritourism experiences; meet contemporary visitor expectations; and deliver authentic, on-farm activities that connect guests to agricultural practices.

For more information, visit the NSW First Program page.

Truffle boom for NSW

Among the emerging growth opportunities for the NSW agritourism sector is truffle hunting. Australia is now the world's fourth-largest truffle producer and NSW home to an extensive network of truffle farms and visitor experiences across the state.

RedGround Australia is located in the high country of Oberon in Central NSW and offers truffle hunting experiences throughout most of the year. Its truffle harvest has tripled in volume since 2022, drawing visitors from across Australia and around the globe.

RedGround Australia Director Jill O’Grady said: “It’s been an incredible 12 months for RedGround, with our business experiencing significant growth, welcoming visitors from Taiwan, Singapore, United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Germany and the United Kingdom.

“Many of these visitors stayed longer in our region, supporting local accommodation providers and businesses.

“We are grateful for Destination NSW’s support, particularly through their workshops, famils and introductions, which have been instrumental in helping us grow, refine our experiences and how we offer them.

“Agritourism is thriving and it’s exciting to see more visitors drawn to NSW to experience our exceptional produce and unique rural experiences."

Learn more about NSW truffle hunting experiences here.