The shortlist for the 2026 National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards has been revealed, showcasing a diverse and compelling range of heritage conservation, protection and interpretation projects from across New South Wales.
An annual highlight on the state’s cultural calendar, the awards celebrate excellence across natural, cultural and built heritage.
This year’s finalists reflect a growing emphasis on community connection, storytelling and sustainable preservation practices.
“Every year we are inspired by the dedication to conserve and promote New South Wales’ rich heritage,” said 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.’’
The 2026 Judging Panel was led by Matthew Devine, Chair of the National Trust Heritage Awards Jury.
He was joined by Barrina South, David Burdon, Ingrid Mather, Julie Baird, Stirling Smith, Tamsin McIntosh, and 2025’s Young Achiever recipient, Steven Barry.
Penny Sharpe, Minister for Heritage, reflected on the significance and diversity of this year’s nominees, noting 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”.
Steven Meredith, Chair of the NSW Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee, highlighted the importance of Aboriginal-led and collaborative projects, while Sally Barnes, Chair of the NSW Heritage Council, praised the finalists for “their passion and commitment to conserving built, natural and cultural heritage for the community to enjoy”.
“The Awards provide a vital platform to recognise the dedication and expertise of those working to preserve our state’s heritage,” said Sam Kidman, Executive Director of Heritage NSW.
“Congratulations to all those shortlisted.”
Public engagement remains central to the awards, with voting now open for the People’s Choice Award until 11:59 pm on Thursday, 30 April.
Winners will be announced at a ceremony on Friday, 15 May at Doltone House in Pyrmont, presented by journalist and author Sarah Macdonald, with civil engineer Jillian Kilby as keynote speaker.
The awards form a key part of the Australian Heritage Festival, supported by the NSW government through Heritage NSW.
2026 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 include Young Achiever, Heritage Skills, Lifetime Achievement, Cathy Donnelly Memorial, Judges’ Choice, President’s Prize and People’s Choice.
