Four local businesses and the jewel in the Mountains’ crown – the National Park – have been named finalists in this year’s NSW Tourism awards.
The Blue Mountains National Park is a finalist in the major tourism attractions category, competing for the prize against BridgeClimb Sydney and the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
Leura’s quaint teapot shop and cafe, Bygone Beautys, is a finalist in two categories: tourism attractions (one step down from major attractions) and cultural tourism.
It is up against Cape Byron State Conservation, Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail, Oakvale Farm & Fauna World, Outback Astronomy, Sealy Lookout, Orara East State Forest and Symbio Wildlife Park for the tourism attraction award.
In the cultural tourism, rivals are Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail, Sydney Harbour Culture, History and Heritage Tours, Old Dubbo Gaol and Port Macquarie Museum.
Ask Roz, the app which provides up-to-date information about everything going on the Mountains, is a finalist in the specialised tourism category, where it won gold last year.
Ask Roz allows users to type in what area they are in, or going to be travelling to, and they can find out anything from what events might be happening to the best bushwalks, places to eat and drink, photo opportunities, what to do on a rainy day, even where there are public toilets.
It also gives weather reports, link to local newspapers and highlights special offers from local businesses.
The Fairmont Resort at Leura (a silver medallist last year) is also a finalist in two categories: Business event venues and deluxe accommodation.
And Mountain Whispers, a group of four cottages in Leura-Katoomba (and also a silver medallist last year), is a finalist in luxury accommodation, up against Circa 1936 at Corowa at The Darling at Pyrmont.
The winners will be announced at a dinner in Sydney on November 16.