Destination NSW

NSW is the big winner from the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 host city announcement, with our state set to host more games than any other. The final, both semi-finals, the bronze final, two round of 16 matches and five pool matches will take place in Sydney, reflecting the city’s position as a premier destination for world-class sporting events. Additionally, four matches will be held in Newcastle.   The tournament is expected to bring 215,000 visitors to NSW and inject more than $610 million into the visitor economy, while hundreds of millions of TV viewers across the globe will also experience the action.     Destination NSW has partnered proudly with World Rugby to secure hosting rights for the tournament, with our Chairman Sally Loane, Acting CEO Karen Jones and General Manager Events Julie Turpie, GAICD joining Minister for Tourism John Graham for the announcement. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gZfBhtYm   Register your interest to attend the tournament at rugbyworldcup.com/2027   #feelnew #feelnsw #feelnewsydney #visitoreconomy #RWC2027 #rugbyworldcup  

Hundreds of thousands of people in Sydney and across regional NSW came together yesterday for Australia Day events and activities.   Destination NSW delivered the Australia Day in Sydney program, which invited families, friends and communities to reflect, respect and celebrate.   From dawn and into the night, the program invited everyone to mark the day in their own way.   #feelnew #feelnsw #feelnewsydney #visitoreconomy #destinationnsw #AustraliaDayNSW #AusDaySyd  

The Sydney Opera House sails were illuminated this morning for the Australia Day Dawn Reflection, which featured the ‘River Life’ artwork by Wiradjuri man James P. Simon. The Dawn Reflection, now in its fifth year, was an opportunity to rise and greet the day with respect. Read more about the artwork and artist here: https://lnkd.in/gafbJgqR Destination NSW is delivering the Australia Day in Sydney program, which will see tens of thousands of people come together surrounded by the natural beauty of Sydney Harbour on Eora Country. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gP_MV-Wu #feelnew #feelnsw #feelnewsydney #visitoreconomy #destinationnsw #AustraliaDayNSW #AusDaySyd

The 53rd Toyota Tamworth Country Music Festival is in full swing, drawing thousands of visitors to Australia’s country music capital.   The event kicked off on 17 January and features a program of more than 700 talented artists, 300 buskers and 10 days of free and ticketed performances.   As Australia’s largest country music event, the festival drives significant overnight visitation to the New England region and plays a vital role in achieving the state’s bold new target of a $91 billion visitor economy by 2035.    Destination NSW is proud to support events such as the Tamworth Country Music Festival, which drive economic benefits, celebrate the cultural vibrancy of our state and position NSW as a must-experience destination.   Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gTpiiydG   #FeelNew #FeelNSW #VisitorEconomy #DestinationNSW #TCMF2025

Destination NSW is cranking up its focus on music tourism in 2025, with more headline artists and regions added to the Great Southern Nights line-up across NSW from 21 March to 6 April.     Alison Wonderland, Budjerah, Mallrat, The Screaming Jets, Thirsty Merc, Marcia Hines, The Paper Kites and more have joined a line-up that already features Missy Higgins, Ben Lee, Bootleg Rascals, Charley, King Stingray, The Cat Empire, Hoodoo Gurus, Lime Cordiale and Birds of Tokyo.    Great Southern Nights will bring vibrancy to Inner and Western Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and the Central Coast - as well as regional locations including the Hunter Valley, Bathurst, Byron Bay, Broken Hill, Orange, Tamworth and Tilba.   Great Southern Nights is delivered proudly by Destination NSW in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).   Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gJvqSMYe   #feelnew #feelnsw #feelnewsydney #destinationnsw #visitoreconomy

The latest edition of the Destination NSW Insights newsletter is out now, featuring a record New Year's Eve for Sydney hotels, the fastest rebounding international market to NSW, the official program launch for Australia Day in Sydney 2025, the NSW holiday destinations with the highest expenditure, Sydney named as a top 10 global destination to visit in 2025 and much more. Read the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/gMuX6PBn Subscribe to our newsletters here: https://lnkd.in/g2PJkTGS  📷 NYE by Daniel Tran #feelnew #feelnsw #visitoreconomy #destinationnsw #feelnewsydney

The official program for Australia Day in Sydney 2025 has been unveiled, with tens of thousands of people expected to come together to enjoy free events and activities.    From dawn and into the night, this year’s program invites everyone to mark the day in their own way. Events such as the Dawn Reflection and WugulOra Morning Ceremony will encourage the community to reflect and respect our shared history and First Nations cultures.      Destination NSW is delivering the Australia Day in Sydney event program, which will conclude with a celebration of music and fireworks at the Australia Day Live concert, set against the backdrop of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Free tickets for the concert will be available from 10am AEDT on 15 January at www.sydneyoperahouse.com.    Minister for Tourism John Graham joined with 2025 Chair of Australia Day Council of NSW Yvonne Weldon AM, Australia Day Live co-host Dr Megan Burslem, Australia Day Live Co-Creative Directors William Barton and John Foreman AM, Australia Day 2025 Access & Inclusion Manager Paul Nunnari PSM, Australia Day Ambassador Corey Payne and Australian citizenship recipient Prashasti Jolly for the program launch.   Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gFsTvkjc   #feelnew #feelnsw #feelnewsydney #destinationnsw #visitoreconomy #AustraliaDayNSW #AusDaySyd

Karen Jones today commenced as Acting CEO of Destination NSW, taking the reins for an interim period of approximately six months. Karen brings more than 27 years of leadership experience in state and local government. Most recently, she served as CEO of the Office of Sport, where she led initiatives such as the ‘10 World Cups in 10 Years’ campaign, the Office of Sport’s Strategic Plan and the Play Her Way Strategy. Karen will lead the Destination NSW team and work closely with industry partners to ensure the state remains Australia’s top destination and events capital. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gMaQ3axe #destinationnsw #feelnew #feelnsw #feelnewsydney #visitoreconomy

More than 250 fans have boarded the Elvis Express bound for Parkes Elvis Festival.   The train was farewelled at Sydney’s Central Station by Minister for Regional Transport Hon Jenny Aitchison MP, NSW TrainLink Chief Executive Roger Weeks and Mayor of Parkes Shire Council Neil Westcott.   Passengers are being treated to singalongs and live performances by tribute artists, while taking in the beautiful scenery through the Blue Mountains and central western NSW.   The Parkes Elvis Festival runs from 8-12 January 2025 and is the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest celebration of The King. Since the first event in 1993 the festival has grown to attract more than 11,000 visitors to Parkes each year, injecting $11 million in ex-region expenditure into the local economy.   The Parkes Elvis Festival is supported proudly by Destination NSW. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gqbHWq9J   #destinationnsw #feelnew #feelnsw #visitoreconomy

This year’s Australia Day Ambassadors have been announced, with innovators, educators, musicians, healthcare professionals, elite athletes and environmental advocates among the inspirational people chosen by the Australia Day Council of NSW.   These outstanding citizens and local heroes will travel throughout the state, from Bega Valley to Blacktown and Griffith to Glen Innes, participating in citizenship ceremonies, festivals, cultural performances and charity events.    A full list of 2025 NSW Australia Day Ambassadors and the communities they will visit is available at: https://lnkd.in/gwqBX33i.     Destination NSW is delivering the Australia Day in Sydney event program. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gMFgjpnP   #feelnew #feelnsw #visitoreconomy #destinationnsw #AustraliaDayNSW #AusDaySyd