Queensland tourism: Poor showing in Wotif award for Australian Town of the Year

Queensland tourism has been dealt a major snub by a major national tourism award that lists Australia’s town of the year. Only two Sunshine State towns have made the top 10, but the acting tourism minister is crying foul over the decision.

THEY’RE off with the fairies.

A new list of Australia’s top 10 holiday towns has snubbed some of Queensland’s most famous tourist destinations, with a Victorian fishing village called Port Fairy taking out the top spot.

Mackay wins Wotif award for Australian Town of the Year

The annual Wotif.com Town of the Year awards, which last year voted Mackay as No.1, will be released today with only two Queensland entries in the top 10.

Palm Cove on the outskirts of Cairns ranks at No.7 and Warwick in country Queensland scrapes in at No.10.

Entries are decided on a combination of value for money, demand and the strength of customer reviews for specific regions.

Warwick was the only other Queensland town to make the list.

After Port Fairy, WA’s Albany and Port Augusta in SA rounded out the top three while bizarrely Bendigo, Cowra and Dubbo also made the top 10.

As the name suggests, cities were not included in the category.

Acting Queensland tourism minister Di Farmer was bewildered by the rankings.

“They’ve got to be joking,” she said.

“You can’t visit Port Fairy without packing a snow jacket and a raincoat and don’t even get me started on Dubbo.

“Queensland should occupy at least five of the top 10 positions.”

Palm Cove is Queensland’s best performer in the Wotif Town of the Year list, but was only one of two places from the Sunshine State to make the top 10.

Wotif managing director Daniel Finch acknowledged Queensland’s placing on the list could be controversial, but said Port Fairy deserved the title.

“While Queensland is undoubtedly a favourite with Aussies, the laid-back Victorian town of Port Fairy was crowned No.1 for its incredible coastline, art, culture and foodie scene – with growth soaring 45% year-on-year,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to seeing how next year’s awards shape up and if Queensland can bring back the sunshine by taking out No.1 again.”

WOTIF 2019 Aussie Town of the Year Awards

Port Fairy (Victoria)

Albany (WA)

Port Augusta (SA)

Bendigo (Victoria)

Forster (NSW)

Cowra (NSW)

Palm Cove (QLD)

Scamander (Tasmania)

Dubbo (NSW)

Warwick (QLD)