They have been nominated in the 'greater than 5000 residents' category, and from Gunnedah's Dorothea Mackellar silo art to Tamworth's vibrant and bustling Peel Street, both cities have shown they have a lot to offer.

Tamworth Regional councillor Judy Coates said it was fantastic to see Tamworth named as a top tourism destination following several tough years due to COVID and drought.

"The past couple of years have been challenging, so seeing Tamworth named as a finalist is a testament to the community and business collaboration in our region," she said.

"Tamworth has a lot to offer with cultural attractions, special places and experiences, and being named a finalist is wonderful recognition for the region, and we should all be very proud."

Further west, the feeling of pride is also being felt strongly following their nod.

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Gunnedah Shire Council's tourism team leader Nikki Robertson said she believes the town's many different festivals and events have contributed to the nomination.

"It's fantastic to be in the finals and it shows that we can mix it with well-known destinations," she said.

"We have quirky and beautiful attractions that reflect Gunnedah and show people what we're all about.

"We are a destination for events like AgQuip, our wonderful Gunnedah Show, and Weeks of Speed, and we can continue to grow from here."

The awards are decided by the public, and voting is open until 5pm on Wednesday, 27 April, via the Business NSW website.

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