A cross-border industry development day for operators, councils and tourism leaders
Tourism isn’t just weekends away and full cafés - it’s one of the most powerful drivers of regional resilience. It creates jobs, grows local business, and keeps money circulating through our towns - from accommodation and hospitality to retail, tours, events and visitor experiences. When tourism is strong, main streets thrive.
The Regional Tourism Forum Riverina Murray 2026 is where that momentum gets built. Delivered by Destination Riverina Murray in partnership with Murray Regional Tourism, this operator-first, outcomes-focused day brings together the people shaping the visitor economy across the cross-border Murray and Riverina, tourism operators, councils, industry stakeholders and partners.
This industry development day is designed to help tourism businesses become stronger, more market-ready, and better connected. You’ll hear from guest speakers, keynote presenters and industry experts, alongside real operator case studies from the Riverina Murray and beyond, bringing fresh thinking, proven strategies and practical insight on the topics that matter most.
View the full program here
Keynotes including:
- Cultural Connection: Bullanginya Dreaming
- Visitor Economy Data Deep-Dive
- Brand & Storytelling
- Emerging Tourism Sectors
- Local Collaboration: The Canola Trail
Featured workshops:
- Product & Experience Development
- Planning and Development Applications
- Data-Informed Decision Making
- Quick Fixes for your Tourism Business
- Agritourism
- Cross-Border Emergency Preparedness
Because growth doesn’t happen in isolation. This forum is a rare opportunity to step out of the day-to-day and connect with those facing the same challenges and opportunities, while walking away with clearer next steps. Whether you’re building a new experience, scaling an existing tourism product, working in council or destination development, or simply trying to do more with less, this is for you. You will walk away with:
- Practical tools you can use immediately: Take home templates, ideas and approaches you can apply straight away across marketing, PR, digital and product.
- Clearer pathways for planning and development approvals: Hear directly from councils, consultants and operators on how to navigate approvals and development pathways - with fewer headaches and more confidence.
- Visitor economy insights to guide smarter decisions: Understand who your visitors are, when they travel, what they value, and how that should shape your marketing, product development and investment.
- Fresh thinking on product development and experience design: Explore what’s trending in regional tourism (wellness, agritourism, cultural connection & nature-based experiences) and how to turn those trends into bookable, market-ready offerings.
- Stronger cross-border relationships and partnerships: This forum is built for connection. Meet operators, councils and partners across the Riverina and Murray and find collaboration opportunities that help you cut through.
- Confidence, clarity and momentum: Leave with direction and next steps, and the energy that comes from being in the room with people who get it.
This isn’t your typical conference, and that’s exactly the point. This is a day for you to be the visitor. Instead of spending the day in one room, you'll venture through the scenic mid-Murray to Tocumwal NSW just as a visitor would - travelling between curated sessions and workshops hosted at surprise venues, sharing a relaxed lunch in town, and finishing with an evening networking event at a bespoke brewery. It’s immersive, operator-first, and designed to offer a fresh perspective, while showcasing the visitor economy in action.
Standard registration includes:
- Full-day forum program including keynotes, panels, workshops, breakout sessions, case studies, and valuable take home resources
- Complimentary barista-made coffee served in-house by local baristas Troy and Sigaal (owners of Fifth Daughter Café and Sister Café Tocumwal)
- Morning and afternoon tea featuring local produce from Roaming Kitchen
- Lunch at the newly renovated Tocumwal Hotel Motel.
- Evening networking event at Tocumwal Brewing Co. with industry peers, councils and partners (includes complimentry canapes and 2 drinks per person)
The day before the forum: Tocumwal & Surrounds Tourism Operator Famil
Wednesday 22 April 2.45pm - 8.30pm
Join this exclusive famil to experience Tocumwal and surrounds’ key visitor offerings and destination storytelling in action. Gain direct insights and build meaningful connections with local operators.
This 5-hour all-inclusive famil includes:
• Return transport via bus charter
• Guided tour of Tocumwal Aviation Museum
• Behind-the-scenes tour and beer tasting paddles at Tocumwal Brewing Co.
• Dinner at Sporties Barooga
• VIP Bullanginya Dreaming experience
You will walk away with direct insights from local operators, small group industry networking, and product development outcomes relevant to history and heritage, food and beverage, cultural connection and bookable tourism products.
Places are limited to 23 participants, to ensure meaningful access and interaction with operators. This famil is not included with the full-day pass. Tickets to be purchased separately for $125.
The night of the forum: Dinner at The Bend Restaurant Tocumwal
Thursday 23 April 6.30pm - Depart at leisure
Following the evening networking event, at just a short walk away, you are invited to a relaxed waterfront dining experience at The Bend Restaurant. Ticket includes a 2-course set menu (alternate drop), sourdough baguette and a complimentary drink.
Places are limited to 50 guests. This dinner is not included with the full-day pass. Tickets to be purchased separately for $79.
The morning after the forum: Eco-Cultural Tour with Bangerang Elder Uncle Dozer Atkinson
Friday 24 April 10am -12pm
The morning following the forum, step into Country for a guided eco-cultural experience to Banin Bunga - also known as the Cut Stone Blowhole - with Bangerang Elder Uncle Dozer Atkinson.
Travel by charter on the newly accredited Baryibala Bus to this ancient sacred site, located approximately 11 kilometres north of Tocumwal. Along the way and on site, hear the stories and Creation traditions of Bangerang Country, shared through generations. Seated among the striking granite formations, you will gain insight into the cultural significance of this place, including the story of how the Murray River was formed. Your ticket includes return bus charter and light refreshments.
Places are limited to 18 participants to ensure meaningful engagement and interaction with the Elder and site. This tour is not included with the full-day pass. Tickets to be purchased separately for $76.60.
Looking for accommodation and things to do in the area? Make the most of your trip and explore Tocumwal and surrounds.
Tocumwal, The Murray - Accommodation, things to do & more | Visit NSW
This event is hosted in joint collaboration with Destination Riverina Murray and Murray Regional Tourism, and is proudly supported by Destination NSW.
