From restoring heritage hotels, reimagining historic landmarks and safeguarding Aboriginal cultural knowledge, to a community-led campaign to preserve a treasured civic asset and the conversion of a workers’ social club into a cultural venue, the 2026 National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards celebrated inspiring heritage conservation projects and people from across the state.

The Heritage Awards is NSW’s biggest annual celebration of excellence in the conservation of Aboriginal, built, natural and cultural heritage, and is a signature event of the Australian Heritage Festival, coordinated every year by the National Trust.

Entertainment Hall White Bay.jpg — *Interiors | Entertainment Hall White Bay | DunnHillam Architecture + Urban Design with Placemaking NSW (Supplied)*

Twenty winners were honoured this year across nine project categories, four individual awards, a special President’s Prize, the highly sought-after Judges’ Choice Award and the People’s Choice Award.

“We’re always impressed by the level of talent and passion on display across the state,” says Debbie Mills, Chief Executive Officer of the National Trust (NSW). “This year’s winners stretch from Byron Bay to the Far South Coast and out to Coolamon in the Riverina – an impressive breadth of projects that set the standard for heritage conservation across NSW’s diverse regions.”

Pyrmont Community Centre.jpg — *Judges’ Choice | Pyrmont Community Centre | Welsh + Major in association with City of Sydney | Photo: Clinton Weaver*

The Pyrmont Community Centre won the coveted Judges' Choice Award with the jury describing the impressive adaptive reuse works as “thoughtful and sensitive, balancing respect for the building’s heritage with confident new interventions, enhancing accessibility and ensuring its ongoing relevance to the growing Pyrmont community”.

The Grand Dining Room Renovation at the Carrington Hotel took out the People’s Choice award, recognising the revitalisation of one of the most significant Victorian interiors in the Blue Mountains.

Coolamon Hotel Redevelopment - GPG Architecture_Stephanie_Hunter_Studio.jpg — *President’s Prize | Coolamon Hotel Redevelopment | GPG Architecture | Photo: Stephanie Hunter Studio*

The prestigious President’s Prize was awarded to the Coolamon Hotel Redevelopment – an impressive five-year conservation project that not only restored the building but also created a legacy for the local community. According to the National Trust of Australia (NSW) President Bruce Pettman, the rebirth of the Coolamon Hotel is testament to the rich history of country pubs in Australia and their impact on people, economies and cultural heritage.

Commending the winners for their exceptional work in protecting and showcasing NSW’s heritage, Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe says, “These projects are vital to ensuring our unique places and stories are recognised, valued and preserved for generations to come.”

Sally Barnes, Heritage Council of NSW Chair, observes, “It’s rewarding to see how heritage continues to enrich our surroundings in so many ways, maintaining a strong and enduring connection with contemporary communities.”

Q Station Inscriptions Conservation - Celtic.jpg — *Objects | Q Station Inscriptions Conservation – Celtic | Q Station, Manly and International Conservation Services (Supplied)*

“I’d like to thank all the finalists who have made a significant contribution to ensuring Aboriginal cultural knowledge is shared, recognised, protected and better managed in NSW,” adds Steve Meredith, Member of the NSW Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee.

Chaired by Matthew Devine, the Awards Jury included Barrina South, David Burdon, Ingrid Mather, Julie Baird, Stirling Smith, Tamsin McIntosh, and 2025’s Young Achiever recipient, Steven Barry.

Sandhills Wetlands.jpg — *Landscape | Restoration of the Sandhills Wetlands | Byron Shire Council (Supplied)*

The 2026 National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards winners are:

Aboriginal Heritage (proudly sponsored by Extent Heritage)

Cultural Knowledge Standards – entered by Aboriginal Affairs NSW – Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and Land Strategy Team

Advocacy

Save Gosford Library – entered by Merril Jackson OAM

Architecture

The Lands by Capella – entered by Hassell in collaboration with Purcell Architecture

Built Conservation (proudly sponsored by Heritage 21)

Small: GSDA Dwelling No.1 Recovery – entered by Hector Abrahams Architects
Large: Town Hall House Remediation – entered by Urbis and City of Sydney

Education and Interpretation

Education: The Water We Share: Past Present Future – entered by Museums of History NSW
Interpretation: Munjip Trail – entered by Eurobodalla Shire Council

Events, Exhibitions and Tours

Events: NSW Aboriginal Archaeology Future Forum – entered by Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc
Exhibitions: Model Newcastle: Big Stories, Little Things – entered by Newcastle Museum

Interiors and Objects

Interiors: Entertainment Hall White Bay – entered by DunnHillam Architecture + Urban Design with Placemaking NSW
Objects: Q Station Inscriptions Conservation – entered by Q Station, Manly and International Conservation Services

Landscape

Restoration of the Sandhills Wetlands – entered by Byron Shire Council

Resources and Publications

Adapt! Designing New Lives for Old Buildings – entered by Uro Books, Hannah Lewi (University of Melbourne) and Cameron Logan (University of Sydney)

Judges’ Choice

Pyrmont Community Centre – entered by Welsh + Major in association with City of Sydney

President’s Prize

Coolamon Hotel Redevelopment – entered by GPG Architecture

People’s Choice

Grand Dining Room Restoration – entered by The Carrington Hotel

Young Achiever Award (proudly sponsored by GML Heritage)

Erica Wright, 2025 Vera Deacon History Intern

Heritage Skills Award

Gary Cooper, Heritage Plasterer

Lifetime Achievement Award (proudly sponsored by Museums of History NSW)

Dr Roy Lumby, Heritage Specialist

Cathy Donnelly Memorial Award

Dr Mary Casey, Heritage Consultant

Main image: Architecture | The Lands by Capella | Hassell in collaboration with Purcell Architecture | Photo: Timothy Kaye

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