The Hunter Valley has claimed the title of New South Wales’ most popular day trip destination, attracting 8.6 million visitors in the year ending March 2026, according to new Tourism Research Australia data released by the State Government.
The region topped the state’s day trip rankings, ahead of the North Coast with 6.7 million visitors and the South Coast with 5.2 million. The figures highlight the region’s enduring appeal as a destination for food, wine, nature and short breaks, with two million visitors across NSW participating in a wine experience during the same period and 22.2 million engaging in nature and outdoor activities.
The Hunter Valley’s strong performance is part of a record-breaking year for NSW tourism overall. The state welcomed 129.3 million domestic and international visitors who spent a record $61.9 billion, a 16 per cent increase on the previous year. Regional NSW as a whole welcomed 64.4 million visitors who spent $27.2 billion, confirming the bush and regional communities as key drivers of the state’s visitor economy.
Tourism and Jobs Minister Steve Kamper said the results demonstrated the strength of the government’s Visitor Economy Strategy 2035.
“These results show that our tourism agenda is delivering real benefits for communities from the coast to the bush, supporting local businesses and creating jobs,” Mr Kamper said.
“International visitors are flocking to NSW in record numbers, staying longer and spending more than ever before.”
Domestic tourism remained the backbone of the sector, with 125.1 million domestic visitors travelling across NSW, up 6.3 per cent year on year, while international visitor expenditure reached a record $15.2 billion, 36 per cent above pre-pandemic levels.
