Region ranked in Aussie Town of the Year

The Bundaberg Region has been recognised in the 2023 Aussie Town of the Year Awards, snapping up the number one spot for Queensland and coming in second for the whole of Australia.

The awards, run by accommodation and travel brand Wotif.com, recognises trending Aussie destinations for the year ahead and is based on a data index that looks at accommodation affordability, quality, and traveller satisfaction.

Mayor Jack Dempsey welcomed the announcement which he said was another sign of confidence in the Bundaberg Region.

“The Bundaberg Region came through the initial Covid outbreak in a strong position, due in no small part to the strength of our tourism industry, and has maintained momentum,” Mayor Dempsey said.

“We’re recovering faster than the state average and this announcement, aligning with confirmation of high migration numbers to our region, shows how highly sought-after our liveability and lifestyle really is.

“It’s fantastic to see the positive growth continue in the area.”

The recognition comes after the Bundaberg Region became the second destination in Queensland and fifth in Australia to announce ECO Destination Certification from Ecotourism Australia.

The globally recognised ECO Destination Certification process through Ecotourism Australia is complex and recognises the efforts of the entire community, local government and tourism industry towards all aspects of regional sustainability.

Bundaberg Tourism CEO Katherine Reid said the 2023 Aussie Town of the Year Awards announcement was more great news for the community, businesses and the local tourism industry.

“The naming of the Bundaberg Region in the top 10 of Wotif’s Aussie Town of the Year for 2023 is certainly a well-deserved tribute for a region that works passionately to present its reef, culinary and nature-based experiences along with warm hospitality from locals in the most refreshing way,” she said.

“With the first two islands of the Great Barrier Reef, Lady Musgrave and Lady Elliot, on our doorstep and our growing culinary scene with produce being grown, brewed, distilled, and caught all year-round, as well as being home to the largest concentration of nesting loggerhead turtles in the South Pacific, Bundaberg, on the Southern Great Barrier Reef is a destination that is welcoming, sustainably conscious and a great place for a holiday.

“All of us here across the Bundaberg Region understand why we made it into the top 10 finalists… we love where we live and love sharing it with holidaymakers too!”

2023 Wotif Aussie Town of the Year Award winners include:

1. Albury, NSW
2. Bundaberg, QLD
3. New Norfolk, TAS
4. Port Lincoln, SA
5. Ballarat, VIC
6. Merimbula, NSW
7. Toowoomba, QLD
8. Dunsborough, WA
9. Orange, NSW
10. Echuca, VIC

The awards come as 46 per cent of Aussies plan to travel in April to take advantage of the public and school holidays.

Wotif Managing Director, Daniel Finch said Aussies remained committed to travelling locally in 2023.

“While cost considerations are top of mind for everyone this year, it’s clear travellers are not deterred and instead are prioritising accessible, experience-rich getaways,” he said.

“We know 29 per cent of Aussies are open to travelling to new destinations this year to keep costs down, and we hope by spotlighting these deserving destinations, all of which are extremely accessible, the awards inspire Aussies to explore and connect with regional destinations beyond the typical tried and tested.”

To read more and see the latest travel deals from this year’s winning destinations, head to www.wotif.com/aussieawards.

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