Move over Kiama: the NSW country towns vying for the Top Tourism crown in 2026
From wine hubs to tiny treasures, do these towns have what it takes to win?
Is your favourite weekend escape officially the best in the state?
The race for the NSW Tourism Association's 2026 NSW Top Tourism Town is on, and the Central West of NSW is dominating the leaderboard.
With Orange, Forbes, Gulgong and Millthorpe all named as finalists, the region is ready to prove that the best Australian travel experiences happen west of the Blue Mountains.
Now, it's up to the public to help decide who takes home the crown.
Orange and Forbes are finalists for Top Tourism Town, which is for places with a population above 5000.
Kiama, which is also a finalist, has been named as the Top Tourism Town for the past two years.
Gulgong is a finalist for Small Tourism Town - population between 1500 and 5000 - and Millthorpe is hoping to be crowned as the winner in Tiny Tourism Town.
While residents are encouraged to vote for the top town, the winner is determined based on a range of criteria, not just popularity. Alongside the voting, the towns are also marked on their submission to the NSW Tourism Association and their global review index which is determined based on online reviews.
Orange mayor Tony Mileto said Orange's entry recognises the strength of the region's tourism offering and the people who make it so welcoming.
"Orange continues to stand out as a destination that offers something in every season, incredible produce and wine, beautiful landscapes, creative experiences and a strong sense of community," Cr Mileto said.
"Voting is a really simple way for locals, visitors and businesses to show pride in our town and support the jobs and businesses that rely on tourism."
Meanwhile, Forbes has focused on its rich heritage, vibrant events, beautiful setting along the Lachlan River and strong visitor offering.
Forbes Shire mayor Phyllis Miller encouraged everyone to vote for the town.
"Forbes really is amazing, and this nomination is a fantastic endorsement of the Forbes Shire as a destination and everything we have to offer visitors," she said.
Gulgong's campaign is centred on the theme Small Town, Big Finds.
Mudgee Regional Tourism's chief marketing officer Beau Kassas said Gulgong had been chosen because of the big impression it left on visitors.
"We chose Gulgong as it perfectly showcases how small towns can deliver big impact, something we know locals have always understood," he said.
Meanwhile, Millthorpe's entry has focused on its history, food and the feeling that it's a place where time moves slower.
The winners will be announced on Wednesday, May 27 at the Local Government NSW Destination and Visitor Economy Conference in Maitland.
The NSW winners will then go on to compete at the national awards.
Writing for Central Western Daily, Daily Liberal and Western Advocate.
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