Ballarat, Port Fairy voted Victoria’s top tourism towns

It’s become a bona fide hot spot for weekend getaways and day trips — and now this regional town has been named the state’s best tourism destination.

Michelle Rose

@shellerose

less than 2 min read

July 15, 2021 - 6:30AM

Darcy, 7, and Georgia, 5, keep warm at the Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat, which has become a tourism hot spot. Picture: Mark Stewart

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Ballarat’s chilly weather has become tourism gold, with hordes of visitors embracing the city’s winter celebrations.

And it seems the golden city’s charms — no matter the weather — have left a big impression on Victorians, who have voted it the state’s top tourism town.

Ballarat was named the inaugural winner of Victoria’s Top Tourism Town Award, while Port Fairy took out the Top Small Tourism Town Award, in Bendigo on Wednesday night.

Victoria Tourism Industry Council chief executive Felicia Mariani said it was a great time to showcase the state’s diverse regions and recognise the economic impacts of tourism.

“Our regional towns and centres right across the state have struggled under the weight of rolling lockdowns and all the challenges presented by Covid-19 restrictions over the past 18 months,” Ms Mariani said.

“Winning an award like this simply makes all the hard work and effort to find a way to sustain themselves worth it.

“The visitor economy is an intrinsic part of the fabric of our regional communities ... and a key driver of the economic performance of our regional areas. These awards are the perfect way to recognise the critical role that our industry plays in the vibrancy of regional Victoria.”

More than 23,000 Victorians cast votes for 22 finalists in the state awards. Ballarat and Port Fairy will now vie for the title of Australia’s Top Tourism Town, to be announced in Canberra September 2.