Drum roll, please! It's the moment you've all been waiting for – last month we shared the news that 25 townships across regional Victoria were vying for gold in the annual Top Tourism Town Awards, and now the three big winners have finally been revealed.
Huge congratulations are in order for Warrnambool, winner of Victoria’s Top Tourism Town (population 5,000+); Mount Beauty, winner of the Top Small Tourism Town Award (population 1,500-5,000); and Trentham, winner of the Top Tiny Tourism Town Award (population less than 1,500).
And we've gotta say, what a line-up of worthy locations! Warrnambool – aka the largest town along the Great Ocean Road – is a vibrant coastal hub boasting a rich maritime history, excellent beaches and some of the best whale watching in the state. Mount Beauty, tucked away in the Victorian Alps, is an outdoor enthusiast's dream offering mountain biking, fishing, hiking, horse riding and snow sports. And the charming hamlet of Trentham (just an hour from Melbourne) is beloved for its country pubs, boutique shops and art galleries, and lush natural splendour.
Second and third place honours were also announced, with Ballarat, Port Fairy and Halls Gap taking out the silver medals in their respective categories, while bronze commendations went to Echuca, Portarlington and Whitfield.
The Top Tourism Town Awards are run by the Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC), and celebrate the regional destinations that go above and beyond to offer incredible experiences for visitors. To be in the running, each town had to make a submission that demonstrated a strong commitment to tourism, dedication to increasing visitation to the region and collaboration with local businesses.
A panel of expert judges then chose the finalists, before voting was handed over to the public in order to determine the ultimate winners.
The three Victorian winners will now go on to compete on a national level for the highly coveted title of Australia's Top Tourism Town. The event will take place on September 3 at Parliament House in Canberra. Good luck to our local legends! And we'll keep you posted if any of the destinations take home the big one – here's hoping.
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