NSW & ACT Outdoor Industry Awards Launched to Celebrate Excellence Across the Industry

The inaugural NSW & ACT Outdoor Industry Awards were officially launched this morning by Outdoors NSW & ACT at its Connect & Share gathering, marking a significant milestone for the state’s growing and diverse Outdoor Industry.

The Awards have been established to recognise excellence, leadership and innovation across outdoor education, outdoor recreation, adventure tourism, therapy, events and supporting organisations throughout NSW and the ACT.

CEO Lori Modde said the Awards represent more than recognition — they help define what excellence looks like in the Outdoor Industry.

“Our Outdoor Industry plays a critical role in education, wellbeing, tourism, community connection and environmental stewardship. These Awards celebrate the individuals and organisations who are setting the benchmark — not only in program delivery, but in sustainability, inclusion, professional standards and industry leadership.”

The Awards include categories recognising:

• Emerging Outdoor Professionals

• Outstanding Contribution to the Outdoor Industry

• Adventure Tourism Organisation of the Year

• Recreation Organisation of the Year

• Therapy Organisation of the Year

• Adventure Event of the Year

• Outdoor Play Award

• Supporting Organisation of the Year

Education-specific categories will enter via the Outdoor Education Australia platform, while all other categories will be submitted through the Outdoors NSW & ACT website.

Two major honours — Outdoor Organisation of the Year and the Industry’s Choice Award — will not be directly entered. These will be selected from finalists across categories, ensuring they represent true peer and industry recognition.

The Awards aim to highlight organisations that demonstrate:

• Environmental sustainability

• Social and cultural inclusion, including connection to First Nations communities

• Professional and business development

• Effective client engagement

• Contribution to strengthening the broader Outdoor Industry

Entries are now open now and close 10 May, with winners to be announced at the inaugural Outdoor Industry Awards evening in July 2026.

For more information or to submit an entry, visit: https://outdoors.kartra.com/page/2026AwardsInformation