One state dominates 2025 Aussie travel awards as top 10 towns revealed

NSW is back on top with its must-see beaches, sand dunes, sea life and national parks in Australia’s top 10 travel destinations for 2025.

The top 10 destinations Aussies are flocking to in 2025 have been revealed, with one state cementing its position on top.

NSW took out three spots in Wotif’s 2025 Aussie Town of the Year Awards announced on Wednesday, with Port Stephens claiming this year’s win, while Kingscliff and Yamba were also recognised.

Port Stephens is home to the Stockton Sand Dunes – the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere – and is known for its idyllic beaches, sea life, and national parks.

New South Wales took out three spots in Wotif’s 2025 Aussie Town of the Year Awards announced on Wednesday, with Port Stephens claiming this year’s win, while Kingscliff and Yamba were also recognised.

Rounding out the top three destinations are Cairns in Queensland, and Mandurah in Western Australia.

Travel expert Rebecca Hurley said the awards aimed to celebrate the “world-class” destinations Aussies have on offer in their own backyard.

“From Cairns to Port Campbell, and Mandurah in the west, Aussies are spoiled for choice and by all accounts, 2025 promises to be a positive year for domestic travel,” she said.

New research has revealed 78 per cent of Aussies plan to vacay domestically in 2025 – a 9 per cent increase from last year – while 28 per cent want to visit new destinations Down Under in the year ahead.

Short stays of three to five days remain the go-to for many Aussies, according to Wotif data.

Now in its eighth year, the Aussie Town of the Year Awards recognise trending destinations and are based on data that looks at accommodation affordability, quality, and traveller satisfaction.

Port Stephens is home to pristine beaches, the rich Tomaree National Park, and the Stockton Sand Dunes.

Wotif’s top 10 Aussie Town of the Year Award recipients for 2025 are:

1. Port Stephens, NSW:

This coastal region is about a two-hour drive from Sydney or a 30 minute drive from Newcastle airport. Port Stephens is home to pristine beaches, the rich Tomaree National Park, and the Stockton Sand Dunes.

2. Cairns, QLD:

After taking out the win in 2021, Cairns makes its comeback on the awards list this year. Considered the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, this tropical Far North Queensland city showcases crystal clear water and offers unmatched snorkelling experiences.

3. Mandurah, WA:

Less than an hour south of Perth, Mandurah is set against a backdrop of magnificent beaches and an estuary twice the size of Sydney Harbour. Visitors can enjoy sunrise kayaking tours, water bikes and the circular Kwillena Gabi pool. It doesn’t stop on the water – the outdoor art installation Giants of Mandurah by artist Thomas Dambo is on until the end of 2026.

4. Denmark, WA:

On the southwest coast of Western Australia, Denmark is full of natural beauty waiting to be explored – from the turquoise waters of the Greens Pool to the awe-inspiring Elephant Rocks. Beyond that, new tours with bespoke experiences at local vineyards and the newly renovated institution Denmark Hotel make the town a must this year, according to Wotif.

5. Beechworth, VIC:

Beechworth’s spot on the awards list proves there’s more than just the coastline to explore this year. The historic gold rush town is about a three-hour drive from Melbourne at the foot of the Australian Alps, the highest mountain range in the country. Whether it’s a trip to the bakery to sample their famous beestings, visiting local Beechworth wineries, or enjoying the world-class Indigo Epic Mountain bike trails, Beechworth is the ultimate country town getaway.

6. Port Campbell, VIC:

There’s a lot to be excited for in Port Campbell this year, according to Wotif. The newly open viewing platform at the 12 Apostles and a trail connecting Port Campbell to Timboon is already impressing travellers, while the soon to open Loch Ard Gorge’s Blowhole lookout is set to revitalise the area

7. Murray Bridge, SA:

Less than an hour from Adelaide and nestled on the banks of the Murray River, Murray Bridge is full of breathtaking scenery and diverse experiences. The city is home to the Monarto Safari Park, the biggest open-range zoo in Australia and largest safari park outside of Africa.

8. Kingscliff, NSW:

Along Tweed’s coastline in northern NSW, only 15-minutes south of the Queensland border, lies Kingscliff. While many know it as a charming resort town, celebrated for its pristine beaches, there is more to explore with seaside markets, award-winning restaurants, endless aquatic adventures, in addition to being one of the hosts for the new food and drink festival, Savour The Tweed.

9. Yamba, NSW:

At the mouth of the Clarence River on the north coast of NSW, Yamba is a nostalgic beach town surrounded by national parks, pristine beaches and top surf spots. Whether you want to surf at Main Beach, visit the Yamba markets, kayak the Clarence River, or relax in the region’s first bathhouse, there is something for everyone.

10. Mackay, QLD:

After eight years, the inaugural Wotif Aussie Town of the Year winner returns. Home to Australia’s longest stretch of subtropical rainforest and one of Australia’s most iconic wildlife activities, the Cape Hillsborough Wallaby Experience, the secret is well and truly out on this Queensland gem. With so many nature, adventure and cultural experiences at your fingertips, Mackay is the ultimate travel destination, home to some of the best hiking, fishing, events, and mountain biking.