Top Victorian tourist attractions draw record numbers of international visitors

INTERNATIONAL tourists flocked to Victoria in record numbers last year, with growth in the state’s foreign visitors outstripping the national rate. These are the most-visited attractions in Melbourne and beyond.

INTERNATIONAL tourists flocked to Victoria in record numbers last year, with growth in the state’s foreign visitors outstripping the national rate.

Almost three million tourists came to Victoria in 2017 — up 8 per cent on the previous year — and contributed $7.7 billion to the state, an ­increase of 11 per cent.

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VICTORIA’S TOP TOURIST ATTRACTION REVEALED

The latest results from Tourism Research Australia’s International Visitor Survey show the record run for ­Australian tourism continued, with spending by international visitors reaching a new high of $41.3 billion.

While Melbourne was again the No. 1 destination in Victoria with 2.7 million visitors, or 95 per cent of all international visitors to the state, the Great Ocean Road attracted 990,000 international visitors — an ­increase of 12 per cent.

The Great Ocean Road attracted nearly one million international visitors. Picture: Paoli Smith Designers

More than half a million visitors went to Phillip Island, with 381,000 also touring the Yarra Valley.

Melbourne’s must-see attractions included the central shopping district with 1.8 million visitors, the Queen Victoria Market (1.4 million) and Federation Square (1.2 million). China was again the No. 1 market for Victoria for both visitors (622,000) and spending ($2.7 billion).

The number of Chinese visitor arrivals to the state increased by 9 per cent during the year and their expenditure was up 14 per cent on the back of strong growth in the ­education sector.

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Visitors to Victoria from Japan were up 33 per cent, with Indian visitors rising 23 per cent and tourists from Switzerland increasing 18 per cent.

Overall, there were 233,000 visitor arrivals from the United States, who spent $331 million.

Almost all states and territories saw growth in spending by international tourists.

Federal Tourism ­Minister Steven Ciobo said the record run was “great for ­Victoria” and had created more jobs.

Melbourne was once again the state’s No. 1 destination. Picture: iStock

TOP PLACES TO VISIT — MELBOURNE

1. CBD shopping — 1.8 million visitors

2. Queen Victoria Market — 1.4 million

3. Federation Square — 1.2 million

4. St Kilda — 817,000

5. Southbank — 789,000

6. Crown Casino complex — 623,000

7. Melbourne Museum — 496,000

8. National Gallery of Victoria — 416,000

TOP PLACES TO VISIT — VICTORIA

1. Great Ocean Road — 990,000 international visitors

2. Phillip Island — 501,000

3. Yarra Valley — 381,000

4. Geelong — 247,000

5. Mornington Peninsula — 221,000

6. Ballarat/Sovereign Hill — 174,000

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