The NRMA People’s Choice vote has opened for the 2026 NSW Top Tourism Town awards.

The awards program, run by the NSW Tourism Association, brings a focus to regional tourism highlighting gems from coast to country, outback, mountains and river communities, and the tour guides that bring these towns to life.

Local councils, Accredited Visitor Information Centres and local tourism associations nominate their towns and submit detailed entries showcasing visitor itineraries, promotional videos and websites with bookable experiences. Public voting plays a key role in determining the overall winners.

Nominations in the Top Tourism Towns category (population over 5000) are: Ballina, Coffs Harbour, Forbes, Kiama, Moree, Orange, Shellharbour and Wollongong.

Nominations in the Small Tourism Towns category (population between 1500 – 5000) are: Oberon, Gloucester, Gulgong, Shoal Bay and Thirlmere.

Nominations in the Tiny Tourism Towns category (population below 1500) are: Broke, Millthorpe and Mungindi.

Public voting closes on 3 May, with winners announced on 27 May at the LGNSW Destination & Visitor Economy Conference, Maitland.

Last year, Kiama took out Gold for the second year in a row in the Top Tourism Town category, reaffirming its place as one of NSW’s most loved coastal destinations.

Shellharbour was awarded Silver and Ballina received Bronze—backing up its Silver win in 2024.

Newcastle, which claimed Bronze in 2024, secured the NRMA People’s Choice Award, showcasing its growing popularity with visitors.

This year, Kiama setting its sights on a rare tourism trifecta after its back-to-back wins in 2024 and 2025 – a result that would see it inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Kiama Council’s Tourism and Economic Advisory Committee chair Councillor Matt Brown said: “Kiama doesn’t win because we try to be flashy, we win because we’re authentic, we’re proud and we care.

“Our locals care, our businesses care and visitors feel that the moment they arrive.”

The Top Tourism Town awards are supported by NRMA and will feature in the spring edition of its Open Road magazine, putting the destinations in the spotlight for thousands of readers planning their next adventure across NSW.

Locals and visitors can vote for their favourite towns here.

Category winners will represent NSW at the Australian Top Tourism Town Awards, celebrating the best of the best across the country.

The national awards ceremony will be held in early September, at Parliament House, Canberra.