More than 250 people from Wollongong to Eden attended the gala presentation evening at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club on Wednesday night.

Mollymook Beach Waterfront won best hosted accommodation, Walking on Water won gold in adventure tourism, and Burrill Lake Tourist Park won the family friendly accommodation award after claiming bronze in tourist and caravan parks up to 3.5 AAA rating.

There were other successes for the Milton Ulladulla region, including the Milton Ulladulla ExServos Club being awarded silver in the registered clubs division, Bendalong Point Tourist Park won bronze in the category for tourist and caravan parks with the four AAA rating and above, and The Escape at Shallow Crossing claiming bronze in  the ecotourism category.

However the night was dominated y the Shoalhaven, which claimed 13 of the 28 awards on offer.

Acting chairwoman of the South Coast Regional Tourism Organisation Diane Johnston said she was thrilled at the standard of entries received for the awards.

“All the companies that entered and made it to being a finalist are the best tourism businesses on the South Coast of NSW,” she said.

“The winners and all the place-getters are the best of the best.”

Chairman of the judges Ken Merrifield congratulated all tourism businesses which entered the awards, particularly the finalists.

“The objective of these awards is to recognise those businesses who are striving to offer the best possible product and the best possible service to the visitors to the South Coast,” he said.

“The judging process is vigorous and fair.

“All entries are judged on their merits and all site visits are conducted to a standard that has been applied to all equally.

“It is a process that takes two months and ensures the integrity of the South Coast Tourism Awards.

“We are amazed at the standard of entries that were received this year, the breadth of product on offer and the professionalism and dedication of the people who own and run the businesses”

South Coast Tourism executive officer Tom Phillips said Tourism contributed $2.1 billion a year to the South Coast economy and directly employed more than 19,700 people.

“These Tourism Awards allow the best of our tourism industry to show off what they can do and to demonstrate to the world at large that the Tourism product here on the South Coast of NSW is second to none,” he said.

1.    Adventure Tourism – Walking On Water, Ulladulla

2.    Heritage and Cultural Tourism – Nan Tien Temple, Wollongong

3.    Ecotourism – Cat Balou Cruises, Eden

4.    Indigenous Tourism – Galamban Extraordinary Aboriginal Experience, Wreck Bay, Jervis Bay Territory

5.    Tourist Attractions – Bodalla Cheese Factory, Bodalla

6.    Tourism Restaurants – Lagoon Restaurant, North Wollongong

7.    Tourism Cafes – Sprout Eden, Eden

8.    Regional Winery, Brewery or Pub – Silos Estate and Wileys Creek, Berry

9.    Marketing and Promotion – Discover Jervis Bay, Jervis Bay

10.  Visitor Information Centres – Shellharbour Visitors Centre, Shellharbour Village

11.  Tour and/or Transport Operators – Dolphin Watch Cruises, Huskisson

12.  Registered Clubs – Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club, Warilla

13.  Meetings, Functions and Business Tourism – The Sebel Harbourside, Kiama

14.  Event or Festival – Kiama Show, Kiama

15.  General Tourism Service or Product – Daisycare Nanny Agency, Bomaderry

16.  Tourism Retailing – Kangaroo Valley Fudge House and Ice Creamery, Kangaroo Valley

17.  New Tourism Development – Trees Adventure, North Nowra

18.  Accommodation – Budget Accommodation – Sapphire Waters Motor Inn, Merimbula

19.  Accommodation – Executive Accommodation – Fairway Motor Inn, Merimbula

20.  Accommodation – Self Catering and Serviced Apartments – Carries Cottage, Nelligen

21.  Accommodation – Holiday Letting - Escape@Culburra, Culburra Beach

22.  Accommodation – Holiday Letting Services – Jervis Bay Rentals, Huskisson

23.  Hosted Accommodation – Mollymook Beach Waterfront, Mollymook

24.  Tourist and Caravan Parks up to 3 ½ AAA rating – Tathra Beach Family Park, Tathra

25.  Tourist and Caravan Parks 4 AAA Rating and above. – Big 4 Broulee Beach Holiday Park, Broulee

26.  Unique Accommodation- Barrengarry Boutique Farm Cottages, Kangaroo Valley

27.  Family Friendly Award – Burrill Lake Tourist Park, Burrill Lake

28.  Tourism Small Business Operator – Cat Balou Cruises, Eden