The finalists include Batemans Bay Manor Bed and Breakfast, Big 4 Broulee Beach Holiday Park, Bodalla Dairy Shed, Carries Cottage, the Eurobodalla River of Art Festival, Lakesea Park, Maloney’s Beach Café and Cellar, the Narooma Oyster Festival, the Original Gold Rush Colony and Region X – The Batemans Bay Marine Park Experience.

Each business submitted an entry into the regional awards and was named as a finalist after judges inspected each business or conducted interviews with the entrants.

The categories range from accommodation and tours to events, festivals and new tourism developments.

The finalists will now compete against other tourism-based businesses across the South Coast region in 31 award categories, which will be announced at a black tie gala event at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club on Wednesday, August 27.

Eurobodalla Shire Council is a major sponsor of the awards this year.

Mayor Lindsay Brown said the entries were of an extremely high standard.

“I would like to congratulate the finalists and wish them all the best at the awards ceremony,” Cr Brown said.

“South Coast Tourism Awards is the principal tourism event on the South Coast of NSW and celebrates excellence in this $2 billion per year industry.”

Cr Brown said the gala event’s location in Eurobodalla was a first since 2007.

“We are delighted the event is being held in our Shire this year,” he said.

“I would like to invite all of our local businesses to come along and help us celebrate.

“The awards recognise and celebrate the hard work that goes into making an excellent tourism business that ensures Eurobodalla visitors have the best possible tourism experience when they’re here.”

Tickets to the 2014 South Coast Tourism Awards gala evening on August 27 cost $150 per person.

To book your place, contact executive officer Tom Philips by August 10 via email to scrtoexec@gmail.com or by phone 0499 089 811.