Bendigo and Daylesford recognised in Australia’s Top Tourism Town Award

Bendigo

Two outstanding Victorian tourism towns have been named among the nation’s best destinations in Australia’s Top Tourism Town Awards, announced today at Parliament House in Canberra. 

Bendigo and Daylesford both took the silver prize in the Top Tourism Town (population of over 5,000) and Top Small Tourism Town (population under 5,000 but over 1,500) categories respectively. 

Victoria Tourism Industry Council CEO Felicia Mariani said these awards confirmed that Victoria is home to some of the best tourism towns and experiences in all of Australia. 

“The Australian Top Tourism Town Awards have grown to become a hotly contested and much-loved competition as destinations vie for the coveted right to be acknowledged as the best tourism towns in our vast country,” she said. 

“We are so proud and thrilled that Bendigo and Daylesford have taken home silver medals in this competitive landscape, proudly positioning our great state on the national stage.” 

Australia's Top Tourism Town Awards are presented by the Australian Tourism Industry Council (ATIC) and are sponsored by Tourism Australia and Qantas. 

Winners are determined by first winning gold in their respective states, where a state judging panel, combined with a ‘people’s choice’ public voting process decides which towns progress to the national judging panel. 

Devonport in Tasmania won the major national award of Top Tourism Town, with Exmouth in Western Australia taking out the gold for Top Small Tourism Town, followed by Huskisson in New South Wales winning the Top Tiny Tourism Town category. 

“We absolutely love this event each year as we get the chance to celebrate the unique and compelling offerings of our regional towns and centres around Australia,” Ms Mariani said. 

“Bendigo and Daylesford are leading destinations in Victoria that represent some of the very best tourism experiences for our visitors. 

In winning silver this year, both of these regional destinations embody the creative, cultural and culinary credentials that Victoria is renowned for across the country and around the world.”