Yarra Valley: Wotif.com ranks region fourth in 2022 Aussie Top Town Awards

Travel-staved Aussies itching for a local getaway clearly have the Yarra Valley on their minds, with a travel website naming the region one of its top destinations for 2022.

The Yarra Valley has ranked highly on Wotif.com’s 2022 top towns list. Picture: Supplied

Melbourne’s picturesque Yarra Valley has been named one of Australia’s top travel destinations, in a big endorsement for struggling tourism operators battered by Covid.

Travel website Wotif.com has ranked the region fourth in its 2022 Aussie Town of The Year Awards, based on data covering accommodation affordability, quality, and traveller satisfaction.

Two other Victorian destinations, Bright (6th) and Halls Gap (8th) also made the list, which was topped by Launceston in Tasmania.

In pleasing news for the region’s winemakers, the Yarra Valley also ranked ahead of another popular Australian wine destination, the Adelaide Hills, which placed fifth.

According to Wotif, the Yarra Valley ranked highly for its “abundance of character and charm” and proximity to Melbourne.

The website claimed travel interest for the region has grown by more than 175 per cent on its website in the past 12 months.

Yarra Valley Tourism chief executive Simon O’Callaghan said the accolade was “an indication of the fantastic dedication we put in to servicing the visitor and delivering high-class experiences”.

Mr O’Callaghan said the region had remained popular due to its abundance of open space, wineries, and drawcard experiences such as Healesville Sanctuary, Puffing Billy, hot air ballooning and walking and bike riding trails.

The Yarra Valley is a popular destination for sunrise hot air balloon flights. File picture.

“We’ve got an unbelievable culture of continuous improvement … and we’ve worked hard to leverage our nature-based experiences and match with our world class food and wine reputation,” he said.

Mr O’Callaghan said some of its tourism operators had recorded their best figures for December and January on record.

He hoped the area would see a continued surge in visitors following recent upgrades to the Levantine Hill Estate, St Huberts winery and Four Pillars Gin distillery.

“We’re seeing as restrictions are continuing to lift, the increased confidence of the visitor to stay and stay longer," he said.

“Melburnians are really waking up to the abundance of opportunities that are on their doorstep.”

Healesville’s Innocent Bystander is a popular restaurant in the Yarra Valley’s dining scene. File picture.

The Yarra Valley Chocolaterie owners Leanne and Ian Neeland enjoying some chocolates at their Yarra Glen site. File picture.

Hugo McCorkell, venue manager of Healesville restaurant and winemaker Innocent Bystander, said the accolade was “a testament to all of the businesses and operators and what they do out in the Yarra Valley”.

“It’s been difficult for all the businesses out here through Covid, but it’s been so great to see so many come through strong in summer and gearing up for a big year this year,” he said.

“We’re seeing lots of people come out for weekends and longer trips, which is great for so many businesses out here.”

Yarra Valley Chocolaterie co-owner Leanne Neeland, whose venue attracts up to 800,000 visitors a year said the gong from Wotif was timely as the region began to open up after two years of Covid pain.

“We’ve certainly been missing our international and interstate visitors over the last few years, and we definitely want to be at the forefront of everyone’s Google searches,” she said.