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This intimate Berry retreat was dubbed NSW’s best luxe accommodation

Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
Last night’s NSW Tourism Awards celebrated the trailblazers who are redefining the state’s tourism landscape.

NSW is brimming with brilliant businesses offering incredible experiences, so much so that annual awards are held to celebrate them. The NSW Tourism Awards recognise excellence in the tourism industry across the state. The winners are a go-to list of NSW’s best attractions, tours, festivals, accommodation and food tourism. And none more so than the winner of the 5 Star Accommodation category, Berry’s Mt Hay Retreat.

Gold, silver and bronze awards were judged by a panel of 55 independent judges, and presented across 30 categories celebrating excellence in business practices, visitor experiences and sustainability. In total, 78 winners were presented from 125 finalists, marking one of the largest and most competitive awards in recent years.

“We’ve seen an increase in the standard of entries this year, showing how our tourism industry continues to up the ante, year-on-year," shared NSW Tourism Association CEO Natalie Godward.

“At its heart, these awards are about celebrating our people – the faces and stories behind our tourism experiences – and the pride they bring to New South Wales".

Mt Hay Retreat

outdoor bathtub and view at Mt Hay Retreat
Enjoy your al fresco bathtub.

This intimate retreat is made for romantic getaways. It features sweeping views of 360 acres of farmland, native bush, and the Pacific Ocean, an indoor pool and spa set above mature gardens, and luxurious accommodations designed to provide a serene escape from the everyday bustle.

The six suites are arranged around the top of the hill to ensure spectacular views and ultimate privacy. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto expansive decks, so that no matter where guests are inside the room – spending a lazy day in bed, relaxing on the sofa or sitting at the glass dining table – they can soak in remarkable views at almost all times.

stars above Mt Hay Retreat
Take in gorgeous views, day and night.

La pièce de résistance? An al fresco bathtub, perfect for watching the sunset, glass of wine in hand. Discover more about this winning luxury stay.

The heritage-listed accommodation overlooking award-winning gardens offered by Kalinya Estate came in second, thanks also to its personalised service and dedication to creating memorable experiences for guests.

Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific and The Oriana Orange Retro Hotel & Resort took out gold and silver, respectively, in the 4-4.5 Star Accommodation category.

Culinary delights to discover

Pipit Restaurant
Pipit Restaurant took gold. (Image: Sabine Bannard)

What is a getaway without amazing food? Tweed favourite, Pipit Restaurant, took our gold in the Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services category, and for good reason. With a focus on sustainable proteins and championing local ingredients, Pipit uses an open wood fire to achieve deep flavour in every bite. Enjoy it from the Scandi-style dining room, or get involved in the action with occasional pop-ups and masterclasses.

Harwood Hotel – a pub nestled on the banks of the Clarence River – and Coff’s Harbour’s Aanuka Beach House took out silver and bronze, respectively.

In order, Printhie Wines, Cupitt’s Estate and Courabyra Wines took out the top three spots for best wineries. While Jervis Bay Brewing Co was the winner of the best Tourism Distilleries & Breweries.

For those who prefer to get a little more hands-on, the winners of the Excellence in Food Tourism will be of particular interest to you. Tocumwal Chocolate School took gold for its offering of immersive and expert-led classes focusing on the delicious art of creating chocolate and pastry. Stay while you learn, with a luxe B&B on site. Alternatively, try your hand at Italian cuisine, thanks to silver winner, Italian Cooking Experience with Stefano Marvello. Here, master the art of homemade pasta, traditional Italian village-style bread and more.

The full list of winners

Italian Cooking Experience with Stefano Marvello
Get hands-on at the Italian Cooking Experience with Stefano Marvello. (Image: Destination NSW)

4-4.5 Star Accommodation

  • GOLD: Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific
  • SILVER: The Oriana Orange Retro Hotel & Resort

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences

  • GOLD: Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council
  • SILVER: Bundyi Cultural Tours

Adventure Tourism

  • GOLD: Oz Jet Boating
  • SILVER: Northern Rivers Rail Trail
  • BRONZE: Soul Surf School

Caravan & Holiday Parks

  • GOLD: Tathra Beach Eco Camp
  • SILVER: Ingenia Holidays Nambucca Heads
  • BRONZE: Holiday Haven Lake Tabourie

Cultural Tourism

  • GOLD: Old Dubbo Gaol – Dubbo Regional Council
  • SILVER: Port Macquarie Museum
  • BRONZE: Adam Edwards Photography

Ecotourism

  • GOLD: Vision Walks – Eco Tours
  • SILVER: Kestrel Nest EcoHut
  • BRONZE: Showtime Kayaking

Excellence in Accessible Tourism

  • GOLD: Blue Mountains Climbing School

Excellence in Food Tourism

  • GOLD: Tocumwal Chocolate School
  • SILVER: Italian Cooking Experience with Stefano Marvello

Festivals & Events

  • GOLD: Crank It Up Festival
  • SILVER: Narooma Oyster Festival
  • BRONZE: Savour The Tweed

Hosted Accommodation

  • GOLD: The Belfry Guesthouse
  • SILVER: Amaroo Valley Springs
  • BRONZE: The Health Lodge

Local Government Award for Tourism

  • GOLD: City of Wagga Wagga
  • SILVER: Destination Central Coast
  • BRONZE: My Clarence Valley

Major Festivals & Events

  • GOLD: Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash
  • SILVER: Deni Ute Muster 2024
  • BRONZE: Bluesfest Byron Bay

Major Tour & Transport Operators

  • GOLD: ULTIMATE Travel
  • SILVER: Moonshadow – TQC Cruises
  • BRONZE: Brighton Coach & Tours

Major Tourist Attractions

  • GOLD: Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo
  • SILVER: 4WD Tours R Us

New Tourism Business

  • GOLD: The Silos Accommodation
  • SILVER: Foxdog Distillery + Brewery
  • BRONZE: Reflections Holidays – Wilderluxe Lake Keepit

Self-Contained Accommodation

  • GOLD: Contained in Nimbin Accommodation
  • SILVER: Palmers Lane Estate
  • BRONZE: The Drawing Rooms of Berry

Tour & Transport Operators

  • GOLD: Vision Walks – Eco Tours
  • SILVER: Oz Jet Boating
  • BRONZE: 4WD Tours R Us

Tourism Marketing & Campaigns

  • GOLD: The Tweed Tourism Company
  • SILVER: Orange360 – Enjoy the Now
  • BRONZE: Visit Wollongong – Discover the Hidden Gems of the Illawarra

Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services

  • GOLD: Pipit Restaurant
  • SILVER: Harwood Hotel
  • BRONZE: Aanuka Beach House

Tourism Retail, Hire & Services

  • GOLD: Better by Bike
  • SILVER: City of Coffs Harbour
  • BRONZE: Outback Jess – Spotto Books

Tourism Wineries

  • GOLD: Printhie Wines
  • SILVER: Cupitt’s Estate
  • BRONZE: Courabyra Wines

Tourism Distilleries & Breweries

  • GOLD: Jervis Bay Brewing Co
  • SILVER: Earth Beer Company

Tourist Attractions

  • GOLD: Northern Rivers Rail Trail
  • SILVER: Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens
  • BRONZE: Old Dubbo Gaol – Dubbo Regional Council

Unique Accommodation

  • GOLD: Sierra Escape
  • SILVER: Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo
  • BRONZE: Wilga Station

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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Uncork and unwind: The Hunter Valley’s newest wellness escape

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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    Who says a healthy holiday always has to mean meditative silence?

    Sitting on the balcony wrapped in a bathrobe, you warm your cold hands around a green tea as steam rises from the mug. The lorikeets haven’t come out yet, but the sunrise hot-air balloons have. Below, scrubby bushland gives way to rows of vines, where, in a few hours, the Hunter Valley’s cellar doors will begin pouring Semillon.

    You might have booked the new Avani Cypress Lakes for a reset – but that doesn’t mean retreating from everything around you. Here’s how the Hunter Valley’s new resort is doing wellness without shutting the world out.

    Location

    Medititation Hill at Avani Cypress Lakes Resort
    Take in 360-degree views from Meditation Hill.

    The brand-new Avani Cypress Lakes Resort is spread across 340 acres in Australia’s oldest wine-growing region. Rebranding in October 2026, it brings the former Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort and neighbouring Elysia Wellness Retreat together under the Avani name. It will also become Avani’s largest property in Australasia.

    A long lunch among the vines is a siren song, but it might be even more of a temptation to spend the whole holiday at the resort. If you’re eager for the whole picture as soon as you get there, start your stay with a tramp up Meditation Hill for 360-degree views across the land, before discovering the rest of the resort.

    Style and character

    one bedroom villa at Avani Cypress Lakes Resort
    Make use of a private balcony in each villa.

    Once you enter, be whisked (ever so gently) away to one of the resort’s 204 rooms and suites. Bedrooms come dressed in plush white linen, textured cushions and sleek upholstered headboards, with a palette that takes its cues from the outside, bringing in eucalyptus green and rich ochre that offset the creams, beiges and warm taupes.

    For those group getaways, choose from one-, two- or three-bedroom villas, each with a private balcony, separate living areas and kitchen facilities. The one- and two-bedroom villas come with kitchenettes, while the three-bedroomers have full kitchens for those planning to make themselves properly at home with Hunter Valley cheeses and local wine bottles, and the Premier Villa offers a serious upgrade.

    If a wellness retreat is already whispering your name between the gentle chimes of Tibetan bells, the Wellness Suites come with private balconies and put AvaniWell’s saunas, pools and day spa experiences right on the doorstep for the 16-plus crowd.

    It’s all part of the resort’s balance between switching off and being social when the mood strikes.

    AvaniWell

    AvaniWell is set to become Australia’s largest integrated resort wellness precinct. And with 26 treatment rooms and more than 50 day-spa treatments and therapies, there’s plenty to tempt you away from the golf green and into that fluffy spa robe.

    If the existing Elysia treatments are anything to go by, heated volcanic stones, gua sha face massages, Hawaiian Kahuna massages, Himalayan salt scrubs, remedial massages and even Watsu therapy are all on the menu. The Watsu takes place in a purpose-built magnesium pool heated to body temperature, where floats support you as a practitioner guides you through delicious stretches.

    But relaxation doesn’t run to a schedule. You can dip in for a single treatment or make a few days of it, with a year-round calendar of activities to pick and choose from. You can also make some moves on one of the eight Pilates reformers, relax in an infrared sauna or cool off in an outdoor cold-plunge pool or unwind in the magnesium pool.

    Beyond that, three pickleball courts and the golf course should tempt you out of your slippers.

    Dining

    Fusion Restaurant at AvaniWell Avani Cypress Lakes Resort
    Enjoy a nourishing meal at Fusion.

    Avani’s story began in Sri Lanka, so it’s perfect that it’s bringing a taste of the island to Australia’s fusion-loving food scene. Enter Chakraya, the resort’s Sri Lankan-inspired restaurant. From its warm timber tones to its flavours, this high-end dining spot takes its inspiration from the island’s traditions.

    After a night at Chakraya, move from warm and intimate to light and airy at Fusion restaurant. The interiors are as fresh as the food, with nourishing dishes that complement the AvaniWell vibe and are just the thing in between your sauna session and Pilates class.

    Later, it’s time to get the residents of the three-bedroomer together at the Bistro & Bar (open from breakfast to dinner). Here, it’s all about the casual classics, eaten in blissed-out calm.

    Other facilities

    aerial of Avani Cypress Lakes Resort
    Find a golf cours, kids program and more on the property.

    When there’s business to attend to, the resort has 24 meeting and event spaces for everything from conferences to weddings. But the fairway always beckons. Designed by Steve Smyers, the 18-hole championship golf course has dramatic elevation changes and fairway contours, 60 bunkers, generous greens and epic views across the vineyards to the Brokenback range. Mind it doesn’t sting your swing.

    For the little ones, the AvaniKids program will keep them busy with creative activities and outdoor adventures. But if you’d rather wait it out in style while everyone else is off golfing or gallivanting, take your pick: a luxuriously long swim in one of three outdoor pools, a cabana by the upgraded pool bar or settling in for a film at the outdoor cinema right as those evening crickets start up.

    Start your wellness reset in the Hunter Valley at avanihotels.com.