Tumbafest has claimed gold in the Festival and Events category at the 2023 NSW Tourism Awards for the second time in as many years.
Set on the banks of the Snowy Valley in the Riverina town of Tumbarumba, Tumbafest has been celebrating music, wine and food since 1997, and with its latest success has cemented itself as one of the premier festivals in the state.
Held annually on the last weekend of February, the two-day festival is one of the biggest highlights on the region’s calendar, attracting thousands of people to the area.
Tumbafest event manager Karly Fynn said the award win reflected the festival’s contribution to the local economy and the broader tourism industry.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded gold in the Festival and Events category for the second consecutive year,” she said.
“It’s an incredible honour and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Tumbafest Committee.
“The recognition was amazing the first time around, but to achieve this again is extra special. These back-to-back wins not only fill us with pride but also solidify Tumbafest as a flagship event, not just in the Snowy Valleys region but throughout NSW.”
Tumbafest Committee chair Tamikah Hoffman said the award wasn’t just a win for Tumbafest but also for Tumbarumba and the wider community.
”It was great to share in the success with our friends at Courabyra Wines, who took out silver in their award category [Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries], and we would also like to congratulate Kestrel Nest EcoHut for winning bronze in their category [Ecotourism], and to Three Blue Ducks at Nimbo Fork for being a finalist for 2023,” she said.
“We hope that this recognition will further boost the region’s profile and encourage more people to visit the Snowy Valleys and experience all of our tourism offerings all year round.”
By winning gold at the state awards, Tumbafest has now become a finalist at the National Tourism Awards in Darwin next year, where it will be judged by a panel of industry experts against other state winners.
Preparations for the 2024 Tumbafest are in full swing. The event will be held on Saturday and Sunday, 24 and 25 February. For more information, click here.