The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad has congratulated the winners of the 2025 Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards, saying they had achieved success despite a range of challenges in the sector.
The awards were announced this week and included several winners from Northern Victoria.
While Warrnambool was named Victorian Top Tourism Town (population 5,000+) Mount Beauty won the Top Small Tourism Town Award (population 1,500-5,000) and Trentham took home the Top Tiny Tourism Town Award (population less than 1,500).
The silver awards went to Ballarat for Top Tourism Town, Port Fairy for Small Tourism Town and Halls Gap for Tiny Tourism Town, with bronze awards going to Echuca, Portarlington and Whitfield.
Ms Broad said the awards highlighted the resilience and innovation of Victoria’s regional communities and tourism operators.
“In a time when the industry continues to face challenges—from natural disasters to economic uncertainty—these towns have shown remarkable strength, creativity, and community spirit in welcoming visitors and keeping local tourism alive,” Ms Broad said.
Ms Broad said the towns had done particularly well in an uncertain economic climate as tourism funding had been cut dramatically by the Allan Labor Government.
“Just this month Caravan Industry Victoria called for more regional tourism funding, saying there was a sharp decline in caravan trips to the regions amid major cuts to tourism marketing funding.
“The Government slashed funding from Visit Victoria’s destination marketing budget by over 85% from $32.5 million per year, to just $6 million in 2024/25.”
“The Victorian Tourism Industry has also called on the State Government to reinvest in marketing to help the state compete with its biggest rivals Queensland and New South Wales, who each allocate upwards of $100 million.”
“The Government can’t manage money. Our regional tourism operators – and therefore our regional communities – are paying the price.
“Congratulations to all the winners, who have gone above and beyond to showcase the best of what regional Victoria has to offer. These towns have demonstrated what makes Victoria such a special place to explore.”
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
