Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards finalists revealed ahead of public vote

From Frankston to Swan Hill and Port Fairy, these are the towns battling it out to be named Victoria’s biggest visitor drawcard.

Frankston’s coastline is a drawcard for visitors. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Frankston is undergoing an image overhaul — and it has its sights set on becoming Victoria’s tourism hot spot.

A revitalised city centre has helped transform the seaside area, which is also pinning its tourist drawcard hopes on attractions such as its beer and spirits trail, impressive street art, nature reserves, 10km coastline and one of Australia’s largest sculpture parks, McClelland Gallery.

And now Frankston is among 22 towns across the state vying for the prestigious title of Victoria’s Top Tourism Town.

“This is a great opportunity to show people that the tide is turning on Frankston as a destination and that the experience people have when they visit us doesn’t reflect some people’s preconceived ideas about who we are as a destination,” Frankston City Council Mayor Kris Bolam said.

Frankston is being hailed as Victoria’s ‘street art capital’ with an array of impressive murals to explore. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Hosted by Victoria’s Tourism Industry Council, the Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards aim to recognise both big and small regional towns that offer a variety of visitor experiences.

“After a year being in and out of lockdown in Victoria, Victorians have developed a real love affair with the beautiful destinations in their own backyard,” VTIC chief executive Felicia Mariani said.

Public voting for the competition opens today, to helps decide which of the 22 finalists will become Victoria’s Top Tourism Town.

There are two categories — top tourism town and top small tourism town — with finalists spanning the state, from Ballarat to Swan Hill, Timboon, Jamieson, Beaufort, Paynesville and Port Fairy.

Bendigo is a finalist in the top tourism town awards.

“We’re calling on every Victorian to cast their vote and show their support for our domestic tourism industry,” Ms Mariani said.

“The sector has been rocked this year by the challenges of COVID-19 restrictions on our operations.

“Every tourism product across Victoria has been affected, and every business has worked so hard to survive the past 12 months. Now is the time for us to acknowledge what regional towns and centres have done to revitalise their tourism experiences and welcome visitors back.”

Public voting closes on May 27, and those who cast a vote will go into the draw to win a Melbourne getaway for two, including a one-night stay at the luxury W Melbourne Hotel, passes to the NGV’s Winter Masterpieces exhibition and high tea at The Windsor Hotel.