Shellharbour is proud to welcome the Australian Regional Tourism Convention in 2027, providing the opportunity to experience one of Australia’s most dynamic and rapidly evolving coastal destinations.
Located just 90 minutes south of Sydney and within easy reach of both Sydney and Western Sydney Airports, Shellharbour offers an enviable blend of accessibility, natural beauty and contemporary tourism infrastructure. Set between the sparkling Pacific Ocean and the dramatic Illawarra Escarpment, the city is renowned for its pristine beaches, National Surfing Reserve, lush hinterland and breathtaking coastal landscapes.
Visitors will experience the innovation masterpiece that is the award-winning Shellharbour Marina precinct, alongside the newly opened five-star Crowne Plaza Shell Cove Marina Hotel, which has elevated the region’s luxury accommodation and events offering. Visitors can also discover unique attractions including the HARS Aviation Museum, home to one of Australia’s largest collections of historic aircraft and currently restoring the iconic QANTAS Boeing 707 gifted by John Travolta. Combined with exceptional nature-based experiences, vibrant dining and a thriving visitor economy, Shellharbour provides an inspiring backdrop for Australia’s premier regional tourism convention.
Joel Chadwick, ART Chair, says, “We are delighted to announce Shellharbour as the host of the 2027 Australian Regional Tourism Convention. Shellharbour’s unique combination of natural beauty, tourism innovation and strong community makes it an exciting destination for our national tourism community to come together, share knowledge and explore opportunities for regional tourism growth. We look forward to working with Shellharbour City Council and local industry partners to deliver an engaging and inspiring program that showcases the destination and celebrates the strength of regional tourism across Australia.”
Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer says, “We’re incredibly excited to welcome tourism leaders from across Australia and showcase our beautiful corner of the country to a national audience. From our stunning coastline and vibrant dining scene to our unique experiences and warm community spirit, this is an opportunity to put Shellharbour firmly in the spotlight.
“It’s also a chance to showcase the significant investment, vision and engineering innovation that brought the Shellharbour Marina to life. Through careful planning and delivery, a once largely undeveloped waterfront area has been transformed into a world-class marina and event precinct for residents and visitors alike. Today, it stands as a landmark Council project, supporting tourism, recreation, and economic growth, and there is no better setting to host the nation’s leading tourism professionals.”
“This convention will allow delegates to experience firsthand everything that makes Shellharbour such a compelling destination, while creating lasting economic and promotional benefits for our community.”
The ART Convention brings together key sectors of the regional tourism industry to share ideas, explore best practice and support the development of sustainable regional destinations. Supported by valued sponsors and partners, the event is a highlight of the regional tourism calendar, with the 2027 Convention offering an exciting opportunity to connect with industry leaders and experience all that Shellharbour has to offer.
Mark your calendar for the 2027 ART Convention and join us in Shellharbour for an inspiring opportunity to learn, connect and collaborate with the regional tourism community.
