New South Wales is Australia's favourite regional holiday destination

Regional NSW was Australia's favourite regional holiday destination in the year ending March 2024, attracting 66 million domestic visitors. 

Source: TRA. International tourism trends for NSW as of December 2023.

The latest data from Tourism Research Australia (TRA) shows regional NSW also recorded the highest year-on-year growth in regional Australia during the period and experienced the best post-pandemic recovery. Domestic overnight visitor numbers to regional NSW in the year ending March 2024 were the second highest on record at 27.1 million.

When compared with the closest corresponding period pre-pandemic (year ending March 2020), visitation was up 4.9%. The top three regions were the Hunter at 114.7% of March 2020 results, the South Coast at 113.2%, and New England North West at 112.3%.

Domestic overnight visitor growth was up 3.3% year on year for regional NSW. New England North West had the strongest growth (up 16.5%), followed by the Central Coast (11.2%).

Destination NSW Acting CEO Ian Maltman said: “These results confirm regional NSW is leading post-pandemic visitor economy rebound in regional Australia.

“Destination NSW has a laser focus on ensuring the visitor economy continues to grow in regional NSW through its capability-building NSW First industry programme, marketing initiatives and vibrant events calendar.”

“NSW is home to Australia's most diverse landscapes - visitors can drive from the Snowys to the Sapphire Coast in a few hours, experience the vastly different climates of Byron Bay and Broken Hill, the sandstone cliffs of the Blue Mountains to the volcanic rock of The Warrumbungles," Maltman added.

“In addition to its spectacular geography, regional NSW is also home to some of Australia's most iconic events, ranging from the Tamworth Country Music Festival to the Narooma Oyster Festival and the world's biggest ute muster in Deniliquin.

“This collision of diverse natural wonders and vibrant culture energises visitors and ensures they return over and over again.”

Regional NSW was also the domestic daytrip capital of Australia in the year ending March 2024, recording 38.9 million domestic daytrips, 84.8 % of March 2020 levels.

The top destination for domestic daytrips were the Hunter, which welcomed 7.27 million trips (up 5.3%) and the North Coast, which hosted 7.25 million trips (up 17.6%). The North Coast and the Hunter were also the top destinations for international visitors to NSW, with 275,400 visits and 156,800 visits respectively.

Regional NSW received 694,400 international visitors who stayed 15.3 million nights and spent an estimated A$1.1 billion. The fastest-growing source markets for Asian visitors to regional NSW were India (up 15.8%) and Indonesia (up 116.5%).

Visit Vivid Sydney to experience the world's largest festival of light, music and ideas

Source: Vivid Sydney/Destination NSW.

Vivid Sydney, the world's largest festival of light, music and ideas will light up the Harbour City all the way to 8 June. The festival welcomed 1.43 million people last year.

"For 18 days and nights visitors will experience Sydney like never before as the city bursts with creativity and sheer, brilliant light. It's truly an un-missable event, and one which we are very proud of," said NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres. 

Sydney's iconic landmarks, its Harbour and urban spaces have all been transformed by 3D projections and over 60 light installations, including the iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House.

Vivid Light stretches across The Rocks, Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Walsh Bay, Martin Place in the Central Business District, The Star & Pyrmont as well as new areas for Vivid in 2015 - Central Park in Chippendale, awarded the world's best tall building, and Chatswood to the city's north.

Lighting artists from around the world were invited to submit their creative ideas, with 140 chosen from 16 countries to create works during Vivid Sydney.

The Vivid Music programme of cutting edge music including Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House showcases unique performances and collaborations, presenting over 90 performances in venues across the city including Grace Jones, Sufjan Stevens, Daniel Johns and Australia's own The Hoodoo Gurus.

Vivid Ideas brings audiences some of the most intelligent and creative minds, who will be together for talks, seminars, conferences, workshops and forums on a grand scale. With 150 sessions and over 400 speakers, the Vivid Ideas programme boasts highlights such as multi-Emmy-winning writer Matthew Weiner -- series creator and exec producer of Mad Men and former executive producer of The Sopranos, who will share insights following his worldwide success in the creative industry.

"Each and every year, Vivid Sydney aims to connect and inspire people in a shared, vibrant, multi-coloured experience. Vivid Sydney puts art into the hands of the public, giving visitors a visually triumphant feast of artistic and technical innovation," said Sandra Chipchase, Chief Executive Office of Destination NSW, the State Government's tourism and major events agency, which owns and manages Vivid Sydney.

Some Vivid Sydney picks:

Source: Vivid Sydney/
Destination NSW.

The famous Sydney Opera House will once again transform the sails into a colourful living mural with help from UK company Universal Everything. Harbour Lights will see a fleet of boats change colours as they ferry through the waterways, and Paint The Town will let visitors take control of the city's skyline and illuminate it in a rainbow of bright lights.

Visit the Argyle Cut to hear from Sir David Attenborough

Get lost in the magic of Mother Nature and hear a few words from Sir David Attenborough at The Argyle Cut from 7pm each week night, and 6pm on weekends. Life Story is based on four years of footage that was captured for BBC's Life Story TV series and will bring The Argyle Cut to life with flowing natural imagery of birds, marine and animal life.

Hug a three-metre crocheted Dolly

Visit Dolly for a Vivid Sydney hug, and take a photo with the Sydney Opera House in the background (hashtag #ilovesydney).

Martin Place hang-out

Spend some time in Martin Place to see light installations like Robotanic, Spectra and Drum Circle. Take on friends with Intel's "a game of drones" before heading to Transcendence, an incredible construction that boasts Intel Real Sense technology, live art projections and some of Sydney's best food offerings including Porteno, Thievery, Agape Organic, Cantina Mobil and the Cow and the Moon.

Chatswood and Sydney University

Vivid Sydney has expanded in 2015 so be sure to get to Chatswood to learn the underwater aquatic story of Norbert and The Nautilus and visit the Cabana Bar and 4 Pines Rooftop Bar at Night Markets at The Concourse for refreshments.

The University of Sydney's Vivid Path to the Future programme kicks off from Monday 25 May. Think awe-inspiring building projections and a jam-packed music programme at the Seymour Centre.

Selfie lovers delight

Chat with roaming Canon ambassadors along the Circular Quay Light Walk who will give tips on how to take the perfect shot of Vivid Sydney, whether it's on a smartphone or SLR. Then head to the You Are Here installation to master the perfect selfie with the Sydney Opera House as the background.

For gamers and YouTube fans 

The first ever event of its kind in Australia, Game I ON is worth a visit for anyone who is into gaming, social media, YouTube, vlogging and creating or developing. Some of YouTube's biggest stars including fouseyTUBE, Jayesslee and The Royal Stampede will share their digital secrets at the Australian Technology Park till 24 May.

Interested?

Get the full Vivid Sydney programme

Sydney ICC Hotel to be known as the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour

Source: Accor. Artist's rendition of the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour.

Australia’s largest hotel group, Accor, has signed a management agreement for the new International Convention Centre (ICC) Hotel in Sydney to operate under its luxury brand Sofitel. The hotel will be known as Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour.

Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour forms part of the NSW Government’s A$2.5 billion transformation of Darling Harbour, which includes the creation of Sydney’s new convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct.

“Australia is becoming a hot spot for international luxury brands and the increasing number of ultra-high net-worth individuals. Foreign capital, higher disposable incomes and independent Chinese travellers are fuelling the growth, and in recent months, Australia has seen strong demand from offshore investors for 5-star hotel assets," noted Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer Simon McGrath. 

“Over the course of 50 years Sofitel has been a symbol of French elegance in luxury hospitality. The new Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour hotel will offer exceptional quality accommodation and service, matching the hotel’s iconic location and cutting-edge design to become the city’s most popular luxury address."

“We believe that the new Darling Harbour precinct will be one of the world’s most exciting urban renaissance projects with the new ICC Sydney and the upgrades to the neighbouring Pyrmont, Ultimo and Haymarket districts set to make Darling Harbour a first-choice destination for business, convention and leisure travellers,” said Australian hotel owner Dr Jerry Schwartz,  who recently signed a conditional agreement to purchase the ICC Hotel.

Construction of the 35 storey Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour hotel is expected to start towards the end of 2014, and it is due for completion in the second quarter of 2017. It will feature a unique and instantly recognisable architectural design with circa 600 accommodation rooms to support the new ICC Sydney and Sydney’s growing accommodation demand.

Other luxury Accor hotels include the Sofitel So Singapore, Sofitel So Auckland and Sofitel Wellington.