Regional Cultural Tourism Report

Regional Cultural Tourism Report

Arts North West is part of the NSW Regional Arts Network (RAN), a statewide network of 15 Regional Arts Development Organisations (RADOs). Together, the network works to strengthen arts, culture and creative industries across regional NSW. Recognising the growing importance of cultural tourism, RAN began a multi-year project to understand how arts and culture contribute to regional visitation, economic development and community wellbeing.

In 2024, RAN commissioned leading cultural research agency Patternmakers, with support from Create NSW, to deliver a statewide Cultural Tourism Research Project. Arts North West contributed more than 3,500 regional data inputs, building a clearer picture of how visitors engage with arts, culture, heritage, festivals, public art and creative experiences across regional NSW. The research showed the significant role arts and culture play in attracting visitors, supporting local businesses and creating vibrant regional communities.

2024 Cultural Tourism Report (full version)

What happened next?

Building on these findings, RAN partnered with Patternmakers and Destination NSW in 2025 to develop practical resources that help artists, tourism operators, councils and cultural organisations work together to grow arts and cultural tourism. The project team interviewed a range of stakeholders and gathered examples of how arts and cultural tourism is working in communities across the state.

The resulting toolkit offers practical strategies, case studies and planning templates. It is designed to break down sector silos and support stronger collaboration between the arts, tourism and local government sectors. It provides an important foundation for growing cultural tourism across regional NSW and helping communities make the most of the social, cultural and economic benefits of their creative assets.

Resources for supporting arts and cultural tourism in regional NSW

Arts and cultural tourism means travel experiences centred on creative life, heritage and cultural expression. This includes visiting galleries and museums, attending festivals and live performances, taking part in First Nations cultural experiences, and exploring heritage places, public art, literature, music, food culture and creative workshops.

Arts and Cultural Tourism Toolkit

What is this resource?

A set of tips, examples and opportunities to support arts and cultural tourism in NSW, with a particular focus on regional NSW.

Who is it for?

The resource is designed for three key groups:

• artists and cultural organisations
• tourism operators and event organisers
• enabling agencies and councils

These sectors often work in separate silos. This resource brings them together to explore how they can work for mutual benefit.

What can I use it for?

• Learn more about cultural tourism in Section 1
• Skim the quick tips in Section 2 for ideas
• Browse the examples in Section 3 for inspiration
• Use the templates in workshops or planning days
• Share the resource with colleagues who might find it helpful
• Reference the resource and the research report in decision-making and investment

How to use it

This interactive PDF lets you move quickly to the sections most relevant to you. The tabs at the top of each page jump to the main sections.

About the Regional Arts Network

The Regional Arts Network is a group of 15 Regional Arts Development Organisations, developed over the past 30 years with core funding from the NSW Government and support from local councils. The RADOs provide services and leadership for sustainable arts and cultural development in regional NSW, including opportunities for creative professionals and strategic projects.

Acknowledgements

These resources were prepared for the NSW Regional Arts Network by Andrew Gray, as part of the Regional Futures initiative, and Tandi Palmer from Patternmakers. They were supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW, with advice from Destination NSW.

Partners: NSW Regional Arts Network and Patternmakers, with advice from Destination NSW
Coordinated by: Arts OutWest, on behalf of the NSW Regional Arts Network
Project officer: Andrew Gray, with Tandi Palmer from Patternmakers
Funding: Create NSW
Location: Statewide
When: Developed 2025, launched 2026

Cover image: The Living Desert and Sculptures, Broken Hill. Credit: Destination NSW, photographer Jason Ierace.

Arts North West Cultural Tourism Workshops

Arts North West welcomed regional artists, tourism operators, councils, cultural organisations and community leaders to two Cultural Tourism Toolkit Workshops, facilitated by cultural tourism specialist Andrew Gray.

Developed in response to the 2024 Regional Cultural Tourism Report, the workshops explored how arts and culture can drive visitation, strengthen local economies and create authentic visitor experiences. Participants built practical skills in identifying cultural assets, developing tourism-ready experiences, building cross-sector partnerships and promoting regional stories.

We were thrilled to welcome 8 participants at Club Quirindi and 14 participants at NERAM in Armidale. The discussions showed the strength of cultural tourism across the New England North West.

A huge thank you to Andrew Gray for sharing his knowledge and experience, and to everyone who came along and contributed. We look forward to seeing these ideas grow into cultural tourism opportunities across our region.

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