THE best of the best in tourism operators across the region have been shortlisted for awards - and Forbes' very own Grazing Down the Lachlan is on the list.
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Grazing has been named as a finalist in the Regional Tourism Awards for Destination Country and Outback, held annually to acknowledge excellence in tourism in regional NSW.
Grazing is a finalist in the Festivals and Events category, alongside Bathurst Winter Festival (Bathurst), Deni Ute Muster (Deniliquin), Field to Forest Festival (Oberon), Tamworth Country Music Festival (Tamworth) and Trundle ABBA Festival (Trundle).
Chair of Grazing Down The Lachlan Committee, Wendy Muffett said, "we are truly excited that Grazing is among such a stellar line up of regional events".
"Grazing would not be possible without our amazing tribe of volunteers, sponsors and the support of our local community."
Grazing Down the Lachlan is a comparatively new event, it started in 2017 driven by a small volunteer committee.
Some 700 people enjoyed that first long lunch along the Lachlan River, more than 850 attended in 2018.
READ MORE: Photos from amazing Grazing 2018
Grazing is now over three days with "Meet your makers" on Friday night, and the "amazing Grazing breakfast" followed by Wiradjuri cultural activities open to the community on Sunday.
It features the food and wine of this region as well as our natural environment and agriculture. Wiradjuri culture also features in every aspect of the event, Mrs Muffett said.
The 2019 event is now well in the planning for September 21, with general ticket sales opening at 6pm Thursday July 11.
Early release tickets to those who bought "Friends of Grazing" are selling quickly, and this year's numbers are capped at 900.
Tourism Award winners will be announced at a gala evening on Saturday 27 July at Dubbo's Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Regional Tourism Awards chair Jane Barnes said the final contenders were an impressive cohort.
"With our event still in its infancy, the Awards are an opportunity for us to connect and learn from other event organisers, gain industry insights from the best in the business, and help to promote Grazing and our 'zero-waste, no impact' philosophy to new audiences," Mrs Muffett said.