Nominees for the 2026 National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards have been announced, showcasing a wide-ranging selection of projects and initiatives that celebrate and protect heritage across New South Wales.

The annual awards, a signature event of the Australian Heritage Festival coordinated by the National Trust, recognise excellence in the conservation, protection and interpretation of the state’s natural, cultural and built heritage.

“Every year we are inspired by the dedication to conserve and promote New South Wales’ rich heritage,” says Debbie Mills, CEO of the National Trust (NSW). “All entrants are to be applauded for their important work, with particular congratulations to those shortlisted for their achievements.’’

This year’s judging panel was led by Matthew Devine, Chair of the National Trust Heritage Awards Jury, alongside Barrina South, David Burdon, Ingrid Mather, Julie Baird, Stirling Smith, Tamsin McIntosh, and 2025’s Young Achiever recipient, Steven Barry.

Architecture Finalist_Wesley College The Attic_PMDL Architecture and Design.jpg — *Architecture Finalist: Wesley College 'The Attic', Camperdown – entered by PMDL Architecture + Design*

Highlighting the broader impact of the nominated projects, Penny Sharpe, Minister for Heritage observes that they “not only deepen connections between diverse communities and heritage, but also play a vital role in safeguarding these places and stories for generations to come”.

According to Steven Meredith, Chair of the NSW Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee, many of the shortlisted projects will contribute to enhancing the protection and promotion of critical Aboriginal cultural heritage across New South Wales.

Sally Barnes, Chair of the NSW Heritage Council, acknowledges the finalists for “their passion and commitment to conserving built, natural and cultural heritage for the community to enjoy”.

Congratulating the nominees, Sam Kidman, Executive Director of Heritage NSW, adds, “The Awards provide a vital platform to recognise the dedication and expertise of those working to preserve our state’s heritage.”

Public voting for the People’s Choice Award is open until 11.59pm on Thursday 30 April.

The winners will be announced at the National Trust Heritage Awards ceremony on Friday 15 May at Doltone House in Pyrmont.

Secure your tickets early.

2026 National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards Judging Panel.jpg — 2026 Judging Panel: Matt Devine, Chair of the National Trust Heritage Awards Jury (centre front), joined by (L-R) Julie Baird, Stirling Smith, David Burdon, Ingrid Mather, Steven Barry and Tamsin McIntosh.

2026 National Trust Heritage Awards Shortlist

Aboriginal Heritage | Proudly sponsored by Extent Heritage

Cultural Knowledge Standards – entered by Aboriginal Affairs NSW - Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and Land Strategy Team
Ngabu, Walsh Bay – entered by City People and Aunty Lola Ryan
Saltwater People Stories – Sydney Fish Market, Blackwattle Bay – entered by Cultural Capital & Tilt Industrial Design

Advocacy

Save Gosford Library – entered by Merril Jackson

Architecture

Coolamon Hotel Redevelopment – entered by GPG Architecture
Crossroads Marrickville – entered by Mackenzie Pronk Architects
Entertainment Hall White Bay, Rozelle – entered by DunnHillam Architecture + Urban Design
Pyrmont Community Centre – entered by Welsh + Major in association with The City of Sydney
The Lands by Capella, Sydney – entered by Hassell in collaboration with Purcell Architecture
Wesley College 'The Attic', Camperdown – entered by PMDL Architecture + Design

Built Conservation | Proudly sponsored by Heritage 21

Conservation of Rocky Hill War Memorial, Goulburn – entered by Goulburn Mulwaree Council
GSDA Dwelling No.1 Recovery, Castlecrag – entered by Hector Abrahams Architects
Orient Hotel, The Rocks – entered by OCP Architects
Rouse Hill Estate External Conservation – entered by Museums of History NSW
St Stephen's Uniting Church, Sydney – entered by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects
Susannah Place Conservation Works, The Rocks – entered by Placemaking NSW
Town Hall House Remediation, Sydney – entered by Urbis and City of Sydney
Ultimo TAFE Building A Facade Conservation – entered by NSW Public Works
Upper Castlereagh Public School – entered by G&C Waller Builders Pty Ltd

Education and Interpretation

Cockatoo Island Self-Guided Interpretive Audio Tours – entered by Art of Multimedia
Munjip Trail, Eurobodalla – entered by Eurobodalla Shire Council
Operation Seagull – entered by Our Past
The Water We Share: Past Present Future – entered by Museums of History NSW

Events, Exhibitions and Tours

Birds of Australia STORYBOX – entered by Australian Museum
Model Newcastle – entered by Newcastle Museum
NSW Aboriginal Archaeology Future Forum, Wollongong – entered by Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc.
Seeing Sydney, Knowing Country – entered by Museums of History NSW

Interiors and Objects

Chinatown Ceremonial Gates, Haymarket – entered by City of Sydney
Entertainment Hall White Bay, Rozelle – entered by DunnHillam Architecture + Urban Design
Grand Dining Room Renovation, Katoomba – entered by The Carrington Hotel
JOY, Darlinghurst – entered by City of Sydney
Q Station Inscriptions Conservation, Manly – entered by Q Station and International Conservation Services
Woolley Palm Beach House – entered by Donald Campbell Design

Landscape

Hungry Point Reserve Cliff Top Walk, Cronulla – entered by Taylor Brammer Landscape Architects Pty Ltd
Restoration of the Sandhills Wetlands, Byron Bay – entered by Byron Shire Council
The GreenWay, Inner West – entered by Inner West Council
The Vaucluse House Waterfall, Ponds and Rill Conservation – entered by Museums of History NSW

Resources and Publications

"The Model Suburb": A History of the Malvern Hill Estate – entered by Burwood & District Historical Society Inc.
Adapt! Designing New Lives for Old Buildings – entered by Uro Books, Hannah Lewi (University of Melbourne) and Cameron Logan (University of Sydney)
Archaeologies of Food in Australia – entered by Dr Madeline Shanahan
Caring for Country: First Knowledges for younger readers – entered by Thames and Hudson Australia
Luna Park – entered by Helen Pitt
Painting with Stone: The Story of The Melocco Brothers – entered by Zeny Edwards
Woollahra Modern Buildings Studies – entered by Woollahra Municipal Council, GML Heritage, Robertson & Hindmarsh Architects

Special categories

Individual and special awards to be announced at the National Trust Heritage Awards, including:

Young Achiever | Proudly sponsored by GML Heritage
Heritage Skills
Lifetime Achievement | Proudly sponsored by Museums of History NSW
Cathy Donnelly Memorial
Judges’ Choice
President’s Prize
People’s Choice

Main image: Architecture Finalist | The Lands by Capella, Sydney | Entered by Hassell in collaboration with Purcell Architecture

All images supplied

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