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Victoria is home to a pretty exhaustive list of special regional towns, and while we all have our own personal faves, it’s fun to know which spots are gaining attention from the experts in the field. Every year, the Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards crown a handful of spots that are doing tourism right – and this year’s finalists have just been revealed. From Gold Rush-era grandeur to breezy coastal enclaves and pint-sized country escapes, this year’s line-up is a love letter to regional travel – and a timely reminder that some of the state’s best experiences lie well beyond Melbourne’s tram lines.
In the Top Tourism Town category (for populations over 5,000), heavy hitters lead the charge. Ballarat continues to trade on its rich Gold Rush history, with heritage streetscapes and immersive attractions like Sovereign Hill keeping it firmly on the must-visit list. Nearby, Bendigo blends grand architecture with a thriving arts scene, anchored by its impressive gallery and a steady calendar of festivals. Up north, Echuca delivers old-world riverside charm, while Mildura pairs sun-soaked landscapes with a burgeoning food and wine offering. Coastal contender Ocean Grove flies the flag for seaside living, with long beaches and a relaxed, family-friendly vibe, and Swan Hill rounds out the category with its rich Indigenous heritage and strong ties to the Murray River.
The Small Tourism Town finalists (for populations between 1,500 and 5,000) showcase the kind of lesser-known places that reward a weekend detour. Alexandra is a gateway to the High Country, popular with cyclists tackling the Great Victorian Rail Trail, while Camperdown sits dramatically within a volcanic landscape dotted with crater lakes. Down on the Bass Coast, Cape Woolamai draws surfers and nature lovers with its rugged cliffs and coastal walks, and at the end of the Great Ocean Road Port Fairy remains one of the state’s prettiest seaside towns, known for its historic cottages and folk festival pedigree. Portarlington is having a moment thanks to its mussels and easy ferry access from Melbourne, while Rochester continues to rebuild and welcome visitors with its striking silo art. Wine lovers will recognise Rutherglen as one of the country’s premier fortified wine regions, and Warburton offers a lush Yarra Valley escape, complete with forest walks and riverside serenity.
Then there’s the Tiny Tourism Town category (for populations under 1,500), where some of Victoria’s cutest destinations really shine. Avoca is a hidden gem in the Pyrenees wine region, pairing boutique wineries with a peaceful country atmosphere. At the foot of the Grampians, Dunkeld punches well above its weight with standout dining and dramatic mountain views. History buffs can step back in time in Glenrowan, infamous for its Ned Kelly connections, while Marlo offers a tranquil coastal escape where the Snowy River meets the sea. Out in the Mallee, Ouyen is a gateway to vast desert landscapes, while Port Campbell serves as the launchpad to the Great Ocean Road’s most iconic sights. Portsea delivers clifftop glamour and historic intrigue at the tip of the Mornington Peninsula, and in the King Valley Whitfield charms with its wines and laid-back alpine foothills setting.
Winners across all three categories will be announced on Wednesday, August 12 – you can check out the full shortlist and vote for your favourite town to travel to over here. Voting closes at 5pm on Friday, June 26.
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