Bendigo among Gold winners of 2024 Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards

The winners of the 2024 TAC Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards, delivered by the Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC), were revealed on Thursday night at Cleveland Estate, with Bendigo, Daylesford and Timboon all taking home gold.

The Awards are presented in three categories: Top Tourism Town – those with a population of over 5,000 people; Top Small Tourism Town – those with a population between 1,500 to 5,000 people; and Top Tiny Tourism Town – those with a population below 1,500 people.

• Bendigo secured Gold for ‘Top Tourism Town (population of over 5,000 people) with Warrnambool awarded Silver and Ballarat, Bronze.

• Daylesford secured Gold for ‘Top Small Tourism Town (population between 1,500 and 5,000) with Sorrento awarded Silver and Heathcore, Bronze.

• Timboon secured Gold for Top Tiny Town Town (population under 1,500) with Arthurs Seat awarded Silver and Koondrook, Bronze.

The TAC Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards showcase the value of tourism to the towns and communities across Victoria and celebrate the diversity and outstanding regional destinations of our state.

The Top Tourism Town Awards aims to recognise and reward towns that demonstrate a strong commitment to tourism and to increasing visitation to the destination, that offer an excellent visitor experience, and exhibit collaboration with tourism operators, local businesses and the community to make their town the best destination it can be.

The TAC Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards is an opportunity for regional tourism bodies, local chambers, tourism organisations, committees and other groups to work in conjunction with their Accredited Visitor Information Centre or Local Council to showcase their town as a great visitor destination and to raise awareness of what is special and unique about the destination.

Warrnambool Mayor Ben Blain said that it was a big achievement for Warrnambool to win the silver award and shared "Full credit to our Visitor Economy staff who worked hard on putting together a very strong submission.

"While the judges were very impressed, the public vote played a very big part too. So thank you to everyone who voted to help Warrnambool win the silver.

"As a holiday destination, Warrnambool really does have it all. Nature, culture, dining - and something for all travellers.

"The award is also recognition of the many people who help to make every visitor's time in Warrnambool a memorable one.

"Tourism is an important employment sector in our region, and this award demonstrates that as well as being home to world-class natural features and attractions, we are also home to some very dedicated and passionate people."

The three Victorian Gold Winners will now go on to compete for the title of Australia’s Top Tourism Town.

Image top: Bendigo gold award; Daylesford team with gold award; Timboon team with gold award; Warrnambool Visitor Economy staff with their silver award