Check out Australia’s Top Tourism Towns for 2023
Mandurah is also a short trip from Perth. Photo: Getty Photo: Getty
Australia’s top tourism towns have been announced, highlighting some of the country’s best spots outside the major or capital cities.
The awards recognise Australia’s small but mighty towns in three categories.
Towns with a population over 5000 are eligible for the Top Tourism Town award. For a population of less than 5000 there’s the Small Tourism Town award, while the Tiny Tourism Town award is given to towns with a population less than 1500.
This year, it was a Western Australian town that took out the Top Tourism Town award, and with it being about an hours drive from Perth, it’s worth the visit.
A beloved Tasmanian town picked up Gold in the Small Tourism Town category.
Top Tourism Towns 2023
Mandurah, which is just south of Perth along the coast took home Gold this year.
“Mandurah has stunning waterways and coastline, internationally significant wetlands and is intrinsically connected to its natural environment which is a strong visitor drawcard,” Australia’s Top Tourism Town Awards said.
There’s plenty to do in Mandurah, from spending time on the water boating, fishing or jetskiing or visiting artist Thomas Dambo’s Giants of Mandurah outdoor exhibition.
Mandurah is located just an hour south of Perth.
- Gold: Mandurah, Western Australia
- Silver: Ballarat, Victoria
- Bronze: Caloundra, Queensland
The 2023 Top Tourism Town finalists include Devonport in Tasmania, Katherine in the Northern Territory, Newcastle in NSW and Victor Harbour in South Australia.
Small Tourism Towns 2023
This year, Tasmania’s west coast gem Queenstown took out Gold in the Small Tourism Towns category.
Not only can people expect breathtaking scenery, but there’s plenty of local history to take in, from murals, to museums, to art galleries.
Thrill seekers will also get a kick out of the mountain bike tracks, bouldering fields and rainforests to hike through.
Queenstown in Tasmania received Gold in the Small Tourism Town category.
- Gold: Queenstown, Tasmania
- Silver: Airlie Beach, Queensland
- Bronze: Sorrento, Victoria
The 2023 Small Tourism Town finalists include Berry in NSW, Braidwood in NSW, Coober Pedy in South Australia and Exmouth in Western Australia.
Tiny Tourism Town 2023
Another Western Australian town fame in first in the Tiny Tourism Town category this year.
Dwellingup is just an hour’s drive from Perth, but it’s described as “natures playground”, where people can “retreat, adventure and explore”.
- Gold: Dwellingup, Western Australia
- Silver: Aireys Inlet, Victoria
- Bronze: Huskisson, NSW
The 2023 Tiny Tourism Town finalists include Port Broughton in South Australia, Stanley in Tasmania, Winton in Queensland and Yuendumu in the Northern Territory.
