Australia’s Top Tourism Towns for 2026 have finally been crowned – here are the winners

Drumroll, please… After months and months of waiting, Australia’s Top Tourism Town Awards have finally revealed its 2026 winners. Now in its sixth year, this prestigious national competition crowns the Top Tourism Town, Small Tourism Town, Tiny Tourism Town and Top Tour Guide across the country – shining a spotlight on the regional gems that should be at the very top of your holiday hit list.

Finalists from all states converged on Parliament House in Canberra this morning (September 15) for the official ceremony, where a combination of public votes and scores from an expert industry panel decided Australia's top regional escapes for 2026.

Taking out the biggest win of the year for Top Tourism Town (population over 5,000) was the charming Queensland Country town of Stanthorpe. Tucked away in the Granite Belt region just 2.5 hours southwest of Brisbane, this cool-climate spot is made for cosy weekend escapes, with enough wine, cheese, walks and waterfalls to fill your itinerary. It edged out NSW’s coastal jewel Kiama (second place) and the historic riverside town of Echuca in regional Victoria (third place).

Having secured Queensland's state title for five consecutive years, Airlie Beach finally clinched the national crown for Top Small Tourism Town (population between 1,500 and 5,000). With 74 breathtaking islands, the world-famous Whitehaven Beach and the heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef on its doorstep, this tropical coastal hub punches well above its weight. The silver medal went to the historic gold-rush town of Gulgong in NSW’s Mudgee region, while the relaxed seaside enclave of Portarlington on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula claimed bronze.

Proving that good things really do come in small packages, the Tiny Tourism Town award (population under 1,500) went to Portsea on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Located just over an hour from Melbourne, this picturesque holiday spot serves up an easy coastal escape – packed with beautiful beaches, historic trails and luxe vibes. Toogoolawah in regional Queensland took home Silver, while Tasmania's historic Port Arthur claimed Bronze.

Rounding out the awards was the Top Tour Guide category, celebrating the passionate locals who bring these regional destinations to life. Congratulations to Laura Stone from Sydney By Kayak, who took the top honours, with Jools De Loryn from Melbourne’s Go West Tours and Angie Ouyang from the National Museum of Australia in Canberra as runners-up.

You can learn more about all the winners here. 

Australia’s Top Tourism Town Awards 2026 winners:

Top Tourism Town (population over 5,000)

1. Stanthorpe, QLD
2. Kiama, NSW
3. Echuca, VIC

Small Tourism Town (population between 1,500 and 5,000)

1. Airlie Beach, QLD
2. Gulgong, NSW 
3. Portarlington, VIC

Tiny Tourism Town (population under 1,500)

1. Portsea, VIC
2. Toogoolawah, QLD
3. Port Arthur, TAS

Top Tour Guide

1. Laura Stone, Sydney By Kayak, NSW
2. Jools De Loryn, Go West Tours, VIC
3. Angie Ouyang, National Museum of Australia, ACT

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