03 Mar 2021 Aussie Town of The Year Awards

Time to hit the road: Wotif announces 2021 Aussie Town of The Year Awards

Wotif reveals the winning destinations of 2021 Aussie Town of the Year Awards as a local holiday proves to be worth the trip, in more ways than one this year. The annual award returns to QLD, with Cairns crowned this year’s winner.

Now in its fourth year, these Aussie tourism awards recognise some of the country’s best destinations for the year ahead, to encourage Aussies to hit the road and see more of their own backyard. Almost one year on from the country’s first lockdown and as tourism operators continue to navigate through one of the most critical times for the industry, Wotif hope to encourage Aussies to consider how worthwhile a local trip can be.

This year’s winning destinations have been awarded based on their accommodation quality, affordability and traveller satisfaction. New to this year, the awards also recognise destinations that have met the changing needs of travellers over the last twelve months, by offering increased flexibility, good-value deals and appealing activities and attractions. In addition, many of the winning towns have used this time to renew their offerings and remerge stronger as a result of the ongoing challenges.

With such a diverse mix of experiences and attractions in Australia, this year’s top destinations highlight the travel possibilities available in one’s own backyard.

Queensland took out first prize with Cairns claiming the top spot, while New South Wales dominated overall, with a strong showing from Pokolbin, Mudgee, Port Macquarie and The Entrance. Coastal destinations in Victoria, South and West Australia rounded out the top ten.

As the smallest continent but the largest island, there are few countries lucky enough to have such a diverse landscape to see out the pandemic and with so many choices, where to travel next in Australia is one decision every Australian can look forward to making.

The overwhelming majority (95%) of Aussies, researched¹ by Wotif, that managed to take a local holiday in 2020, agree that their trip either met or exceeded their expectations, proving many travellers are loving the opportunity to spend more time exploring their own backyard. Most Aussies (60%) now recognise there’s a lot more to explore in their own backyards, with one in four (26%) admitting they had forgotten how great a local trip can be.

Main Image: Port Macquarie

Other images: Apollo Bay; Exmouth; Hervey Bay; McLaren Vale; Port Macquarie maze.