Double winners! Pictured L to R: Dean Cooper, Northern Rivers Rail Trail - Regional Lead; Annalyse McLeod, Marketing & Guest Experience Lead, Northern Rivers Rail Trail; Cameron Arnold, Chair of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail Supporters and Tiffany Stodart, Manager Destination Communication & Customer Experience, Tweed Shire Council.
The winners were announced at a Gala Dinner on Thursday 30 July 2026 at Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour, celebrating excellence across the North Coast visitor economy.
The Tourist Attractions Gold is particularly significant, placing the Rail Trail on track for Hall of Fame status at the NSW Tourism Awards if it achieves a third consecutive state-level win.
Dean Cooper, Regional Lead for the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, said the result was a powerful recognition of the Rail Trail's growing impact, strong partnerships and commitment to welcoming every visitor.
"Winning Gold in both Tourist Attractions and Accessible Tourism is an incredible honour. It recognises the Rail Trail as a leading visitor experience, but also something much deeper: our vision to create a place where everyone feels welcome, supported and able to take part," Dean said.
"Accessibility is not a compliance item for us. It is a core value that guides how we design, deliver and grow the Rail Trail. Entering Accessible Tourism for the first time, and being recognised in this category, is something our whole team is incredibly proud of."
"This award reflects years of work across staff training, infrastructure improvements, digital access, visitor information and the full on-ground experience. It has helped us move beyond physical access and look at the whole visitor journey, from planning a trip to enjoying the Trail and connecting with our villages."
The Rail Trail continues to grow as a key piece of regional visitor infrastructure, connecting people to the landscapes, stories, villages and flavours of the Northern Rivers.
The result follows continued momentum across multiple open sections of the Rail Trail and strengthens its position as one of Australia's emerging premier walking and cycling experiences.
The 2026 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards, presented by Destination North Coast in partnership with the NSW Tourism Association, attracted strong competition from operators across the region.
"We are grateful to Tweed Shire Council, Richmond Valley Council and Lismore City Council for their leadership, and to our trail users, local villages, supporters, volunteers and commercial operators. The Rail Trail belongs to the community, and this recognition belongs to everyone who helps bring it to life," Dean said.
For a full list of award winners and finalists, go to: RegionalTourismAwards2026.
Accessibility is a core value that guides how the NRRT is designed and delivered.
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Double winners! Pictured L to R: Dean Cooper, Northern Rivers Rail Trail - Regional Lead; Annalyse McLeod, Marketing & Guest Experience Lead, Northern Rivers Rail Trail; Cameron Arnold, Chair of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail Supporters and Tiffany Stodart, Manager Destination Communication & Customer Experience, Tweed Shire Council.
Photo 2: Accessibility importance
Accessibility is a core value that guides how the NRRT is designed and delivered.
Dean Cooper, Northern Rivers Rail Trail - Regional Lead & Annalyse McLeod, Marketing & Guest Experience Lead, Northern Rivers Rail Trail celebrate their wins.
