Queensland’s best holiday towns for 2023
A bustling coastal village, pristine beach locale and quirky outback settlement have been dubbed the state’s best holiday spots by experts and travellers alike.
Caloundra, Airlie Beach and the tiny municipality of Winton have been named Queensland’s best tourism towns for 2023.
The annual awards, held by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, were judged by a panel of tourism experts and 20,000 public votes, with the Sunshine Coast town Caloundra winning Top Tourism Town for 2023.
Airlie Beach and the remote township of Winton claimed the awards for the Top Small Tourism Town and Top Tiny Tourism Town consecutively for the second year in a row.
“Building a great reputation as a Top Tourism Town takes a united, whole of community commitment to consistently excellent visitor experiences,” Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said following the announcement.
“Queensland has an awe-inspiring diversity of quality destinations, each vital to the industry led Towards Tourism 2032 road map for growing the State’s visitor economy.”
The winners will represent Queensland in the National Top Tourism Town Awards later this year.
Last month NSW announced the winners of its Top Tourism Towns, with Newcastle being chosen as Best Tourism Town, and Berry and Huskisson named Top Small and Top Tiny Tourism Town respectively.
QLD Top Tourism Towns 2023
Population over 5000: Caloundra
FINALISTS:
- Bowen
- Bundaberg
- Redcliffe
- Rockhampton
- Tamborine Mountain
- Townsville
Small (Population 1500 – 5000): Airlie Beach
FINALIST:
- Ingham
Tiny (Population below 1500): Winton
FINALISTS:
- Hughenden
- Julia Creek
- Linville
- Quilpie
- Richmond
- Rubyvale
- Toogoolawah