NEW South Wales' caravanning and camping industry turned back the clock when it held its premier annual event.

The Caravan and Camping Industry Association of NSW (CCIA) Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner at the Sheraton in Sydney took on a distinctive historical atmosphere.

It was staged with a "Rum Rebellion" flavour to mark the 200th anniversary of the appointment of Lieutenant Colonel Lachlan Macquarie as Governor of New South Wales.

More than 250 guests attended the glittering event which showcased the top performers in the State's flourishing caravanning and camping industry.

CCIA chief executive officer Barry Baillee said the prestigious evening recognised caravan and holiday parks, manufactured home villages and estates, caravan and RV manufacturers and dealers as well as industry suppliers.

"The Awards of Excellence is the industry’s highlight event which recognises business excellence in the caravan and camping sector," he explained.

"It is the highest accolade that a caravan, RV or camping business can achieve."

During the evening, 27 Gumnut Awards were also presented to caravan parks and businesses for their outstanding commitment to environmental sustainability.

The CCIA Awards of Excellence served as a grand finale to a two-day conference titled Responding to the Market.

Award winners were:

Best of the Best NSW Resort/Holiday Park: BIG4 Tweed Billabong Holiday Park, South Tweed Heads.

Best of the Best NSW Trade Business: Jayco Sydney, St Marys.

Best Resort/Holiday Park – 4½ to 5 Stars ((more than 100 sites): BIG4 Tweed Billabong Holiday Park, Arrawarra
Commendation: Darlington Beach Holiday Park, Arrawarra & Park Beach Holiday Park, Coffs Harbour.

Best Resort/Holiday Park – 4½ to 5 Stars (less than 100 sites): BIG4 Deniliquin Paringa Holiday Park, Deniliquin. Commendation: Kiama Harbour Cabins, Kiama.

Land and Property Management Authority Environmental Excellence Award for Holiday Parks: Clarkes Beach Holiday Park, Byron Bay.

Best South Coast Holiday Park – 3½ to 4 Stars  (more than 100 sites): Seven Mile Beach Holiday Park, Gerroa. Commendation: Sydney Gateway Holiday Park, Parklea.

Best South Coast Holiday Park – 3½ to 4 Stars (less than 100 sites): Surf Beach Holiday Park, Kiama.

Best North Coast Holiday Park – 3½ to 4 Stars (more than 100 sites): BIG4 Soldiers Point Holiday Park, Soldiers Point.
Commendation: Casino Village RV Resort, Casino.

Best North Coast Holiday Park – 3½ to 4 Stars (less than 100 sites): BIG4 Soldiers Point Holiday Park, Soldiers Point.

Best Inland Holiday Park – 3½ to 4 Stars (less than 100 sites): BIG4 Forbes Holiday Park, Forbes.

Best Inland Holiday Park – 3½ to 4 Stars (more than 100 sites): Discovery Holiday Park, Jindabyne.
Commendation: Austin Tourist Park, Tamworth.

Best NSW Residential Park: Casino Village RV Resort, Casino.

Best Manufacturer Caravans, Camper Trailers & Tents: The Complete Campsite, West Gosford.

Best Manufacturer Motorhomes, Campervans & 5th Wheelers: Winnebago Industries, Emu Plains.

Best Manufactured Home Builder: Alvannex Pty Ltd, Batemans Bay.

Best Manufactured Home Village/Estate: Albury Lifestyle Village, Springdale Heights Albury.
Commendation: Kincumber Nautical Village, Kincumber.

Best Dealer/Retailer/Wholesaler – Sydney: Jayco Sydney, St Marys.

Best Dealer/Retailer/Wholesaler – Regional: Watsons Caravans & RVs Coffs Harbour, Coffs Harbour.

Best Hire Company: Gold Coast Tweed Camper & Caravan Hire, Banora Point.

Best Service and/or Product Provider: Winnebago Industries, Emu Plains.

Excellence in Environmental Innovation – Park: Beachcomber Holiday Park, Potato Point & Sydney Gateway Holiday Park, Parklea.

Excellence in Environmental Innovation – Trade: Jayco Sydney, St Marys.
Commendation: Gold Coast Tweed Camper & Caravan Hire, Banora Point.

Employee of the Year – Trade: Symmon Bruce from Winnebago Industries.

Employee of the Year – Park: Marilyn Charles from Griffith Tourist Caravan Park.

Park Bronze Gumnut Awards

Casino Village RV Resort, Casino.
Hawks Nest Holiday Park, Hawks Nest.
Pembroke Tourist & Leisure Park, Armidale.
Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Park, Byron Bay.
Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort, Woolongong.

Park Silver Gumnut Awards

Ballina Headlands Leisure Park.
BIG4 Bungalow Par, Buril Lake.
BIG4 Forbes Holiday Park, Forbes.
Clarkes Beach Holiday Park, Byron Bay.
Kendall’s on the Beach Holiday Park Kiama.
Surf Beach Holiday Park, Kiama.
Kiama Harbour Cabins, Kiama.
Werri Beach Holiday Park, Gerringong.
Lake Tabourie Tourist Park, Lake Tabourie.
Park Beach Holiday Park, Coffs Harbour.
Sawtell Beach Caravan Park, Coffs Harbour.
Poplar Tourist Park, Camden.
Tathra Beach Holiday Park, Tathra.
Seven Mile Beach Holiday Park, Gerroa.

Trade Bronze Gumnut Awards

Alvannex Pty Ltd, Batemans Bay.
Jayco Sydney, St Marys.

Trade Silver Gumnut Awards

Winnebago Industries, Emu Plains.

Park Gold Gumnut Awards

Beachcomber Holiday Park, Potato Point.
Currarong Beachside Holiday Park, Currarong.
Lake Conjola Entrance Holiday Park, Lake Conjola.
Swan Lake Tourist Village, Swan Lake.
Ulladulla Headlands Tourist Park, Ulladulla.

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