Murraylands Business Awards finalists revealed for 2026

Forty-seven businesses from Murray Bridge and surrounding towns will fight it out to be named the best in their industries at the 2026 Murraylands Business Awards, presented by Murray Bridge News with support from Drakes and Golden North.

Murray Bridge greengrocer Farm Fresh Market leads all local businesses by having been named a finalist in three categories: best coffee, best customer service and best retailer.

Several more are finalists in two categories: Mannum’s Mallens Electrical and Randell Street Bakery, plus Murray Bridge-based pet supply store Critter Cube, supermarket Drakes, bookshop Fiction and Friction, and the Murray Mallee Aged Care Group.

Finalists were decided by a popular vote.

More than 1000 voters cast almost 5600 votes for more than 1000 different businesses during this year’s nomination period.

A second round of public voting will decide the winners in each category ahead of a gala awards night at Murray Bridge’s Bridgeport Hotel on May 29, with a complimentary drink on arrival courtesy of the hotel.

That popular vote was what made the awards special, Murray Bridge News event organiser Jane Intini said.

“(We run the awards) so the community can say ‘thank you’ to itself,” she said.

“There’s no panel of judges, just people voting for people and businesses they like.”

Without any further ado, here are the finalists for 2026 – take a look, cast your votes, then get your tickets to this year’s Murraylands Business Awards.

• Cast your vote: Visit www.surveymonkey.com before May 18.
• Get your tickets: $110 plus booking fee at www.trybooking.com; bookings will close on May 22.

Best Big Business or Chain

Presented by Golden North:

• Bunnings
• Coles
• Drakes
• K Hub
• Silly Solly’s

Honourable mentions: Aldi, Big W. A total of 55 eligible businesses were nominated.

Best Coffee

Presented by Connolly Wilson Conveyancing:

• Farm Fresh Market
• Little Local Co
• Luogo
• Mojos
• Randell Street Bakery

Honourable mention: The GCS. A total of 59 businesses were nominated.

Best Community Organisation

Presented by Bowhill Engineering:

• DVINA
• Furever Farm
• Lincoln Park Horse and Human Rehabilitation Centre
• Murray Bridge Community Centre
• Murray Mallee Aged Care Group

A total of 93 businesses were nominated.

Best Customer Service

Presented by Ahrns Electrical:

• Critter Cube
• Drakes
• Farm Fresh Market
• Fiction and Friction
• Mallens Electrical

Honourable mention: Rivercity Agencies. A total of 158 businesses were nominated.

Best Gym or Fitness Business

Presented by Murray Mallee Aged Care Group:

• Anytime Fitness
• Inner Soul Physical Rehabilitation
• Snap Fitness
• Tailem Bend Fitness
• Ultimate Performance Fitness and Nutrition

Honourable mention: Move Pilates Studio. A total of 44 businesses were nominated.

Best Hair or Beauty Business

Presented by Raptcha’u:

• Lux Nails and Beauty
• Mannum Hair Design
• Muscle Cutz
• Raptcha’u
• Tangles Hair Studio

Honourable mention: Alchemy Hair Co. A total of 74 businesses were nominated.

Best Health Care or Support

Presented by Resthaven:

• Genuine Support Services Australia
• Mid Murray Homes for the Aged (Aminya)
• Murray Mallee Aged Care Group
• Tiffs Support Services
• The Wright Care

A total of 82 businesses were nominated.

Best New Business

Presented by the Rural City of Murray Bridge:

• Coffee and Flowers (Rustic Rose Blooms)
• The Common Unknowns
• Firestone at Harbour Mannum
• Rivercity Tattoo Studio
• Timeline Tattoo

Honourable mention: Sweet Annie’s. A total of 83 businesses were nominated.

Best Pub, Club or Restaurant

Presented by Spry Holdings:

• 1924 Riverfront Steakhouse
• Bridgeport Hotel
• Mannum Club
• Murray Bridge Club
• Swanport Hotel

A total of 42 businesses were nominated.

Best Retailer

Presented by Drakes:

• Critter Cube
• Deja Vu Mannum
• Farm Fresh Market
• Fiction and Friction
• Frankie and Calla
• Rivercity Agencies

A total of 73 businesses were nominated.

Best Takeaway

Presented by 5MU/Power FM:

• Daily Deli
• Jedz Pizzeria
• McCue’s Bakery
• Murray Bridge Fish and Chips
• Randell Street Bakery

Honourable mentions: Afghan Charcoal Kebab House. A total of 67 businesses were nominated.

Best Tradies

Presented by Avoca Dell Caravan Park:

• Ahrns Electrical
• Doecke Electrical
• Mallens Electrical
• Murray Bridge Septic Solutions
• Premi-Air Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Services
• Ridleys SA

Honourable mention: Spry Civil Construction. A total of 129 businesses were nominated.

Vote for your Murraylands Business Awards winners today

Your votes will decide who wins this year’s Murraylands Business Awards, so get cracking!

Voting will close on Monday, May 18.

Winners will be revealed at the awards gala on May 29 – don’t forget to get your tickets.

• Cast your vote: Visit www.surveymonkey.com before May 18.
• Get your tickets: $110 plus booking fee at www.trybooking.com; bookings will close on May 22.