How Port Macquarie-Hastings Can Shine at the Sydney Royal Competitions
The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) has a proud history of spotlighting regional excellence through its Sydney Royal Competitions — a diverse suite of prestigious events held annually to recognise the very best in food, farming, art, youth leadership and rural innovation. For businesses and individuals in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region, these competitions represent more than just ribbons and trophies — they offer national exposure, market credibility, and a powerful platform to elevate our growing tourism and agri-tourism industries.
Celebrating Regional Excellence
Port Macquarie-Hastings is known for its boutique food producers, vibrant farmgate experiences, aquaculture excellence and growing creative arts sector — all of which align strongly with several RAS competition categories.
1. Fine Food, Beverages & Aquaculture
The Sydney Royal Fine Food Show is one of the most respected food and beverage competitions in the country. It’s designed to celebrate premium-quality Australian products across categories such as:
- Specialty Foods (including jams, condiments, baked goods, preserves, and snack items)
- Smallgoods & Charcuterie (such as hams, salamis, and sausages)
- Aquaculture (including oysters, which are particularly relevant to the Mid North Coast)
For local producers — whether it’s a farm-based jam maker, a smokehouse, or one of our acclaimed oyster farmers — these competitions are a golden opportunity. Entries for these categories open on 18 June 2025, with judging taking place in early September. Winners will be announced on 10 September, giving plenty of lead time to align with spring tourism marketing.
2. Sydney Royal Arts & Crafts Show
With a growing number of makers, artists, and gallery owners calling the Hastings home, the Arts & Crafts competition is a natural fit for the region’s creatives. Categories include:
- Painting and photography
- Textiles, fashion and needlework
- Ceramics and woodwork
This competition runs in the lead-up to and during the Sydney Royal Easter Show, with delivery dates in late March and public viewing throughout April 2025. For local artists and artisans looking to broaden their audience, this is a chance to be part of one of Australia’s most visible cultural showcases.
3. Youth & Agricultural Development
The RAS also offers a number of programs aimed at empowering the next generation of rural leaders. Standouts include:
- Young Judges Competitions, which span beef cattle, horticulture, fleece, dairy, and more
- Rural Achiever Program, a leadership initiative for 20–29-year-olds contributing to their local agricultural community
Port Macquarie local Matthew Irwin was once named a finalist, proving the region’s strong potential in agricultural youth development.
Why This Matters for Tourism and Agri-Tourism
Success at the Sydney Royal level often leads to increased brand visibility, new business connections and media coverage. For Port Macquarie-Hastings, this can flow directly into regional tourism growth.
- Award-winning producers can leverage their medals in food trails, packaging, and online promotions.
- Creative makers gain credibility that attracts gallery interest, workshop attendees, and cultural visitors.
- Youth participants become ambassadors for agriculture, drawing positive attention to regional innovation and community leadership.
More broadly, the prestige of Sydney Royal recognition helps validate our region’s quality experiences — from farmers markets and cellar doors to seafood festivals and paddock-to-plate dining.
Get Involved
Whether you’re a producer, artist, student, or emerging leader, there’s a category in the RAS competitions that can align with your passion and skills. The Port Macquarie-Hastings region has what it takes — now it’s just a matter of putting our best forward.
Entries open across various categories from June 2025, with competitions and judging continuing into spring and the Sydney Royal Easter Show in April 2026.
For entry details, key dates and category breakdowns, visit the official site: rasnsw.com.au/competitions.
