Kiwis are heading to New South Wales because of its jam-packed events calendar, and Destination NSW is recommending agents take advantage of the state’s event-full line-up and get their clients to combine their concert, festival or sports match with a few days out exploring the state’s beaches, wineries and mountains.
The tourism body reports ‘real positive’ interest from Kiwis in its 2026 events on in Sydney including Vivid Sydney (22 May-13 Jun), Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour’s The Phantom of the Opera (27 Mar-03 May), and Disney’s The Lion King (from Apr). As such the STO has been working with partners here to promote the events and offer an easily sellable product for consultants.
This trend is likely to continue into 2027, it says, when the city will welcome the Netball World Cup and Rugby World Cup, on top of annual attractions such as Vivid Sydney.
. . . Add Ons
With this in mind, Destination NSW is urging agents to in turn urge clients to spend a few nights in Sydney for their chosen event and then add on a beach holiday such as Port Stephens, a wine escape the Hunter Valley or time in nature in the Blue Mountains.
In fact, Kiwis don’t even need to be travelling to Sydney to venture to regional NSW, with Byron Bay and Tweed a recommended add-on for those on the Gold Coast.
The STO says wholesalers in New Zealand have lots of great options for agents to extend client’s NSW trips. And it’s likely not difficult for agents to do this, given the average length of stay is now 8.7 nights for New Zealanders, and on average 22% of Kiwis are already heading out to regional NSW. “There’s a real opportunity to go further, add more to the holiday,” adds DNSW.
. . . Lock It In
The key advice from Destination NSW is ‘lock it in’, as some nights are selling out quickly for events such as the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour’s The Phantom of the Opera. Accommodation is also filling up due to the number of events on offer across the city. It warns that clients will miss out if bookings are left too late. The other advice for agents is to keep their eyes peeled for more from DNSW over the coming months, including a famil opportunity in partnership with the Aussie Specialist program. See more on NSW HERE, and its events HERE.
