{"id":16708,"date":"2025-02-24T14:35:16","date_gmt":"2025-02-24T03:35:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/?p=16708"},"modified":"2025-02-27T18:11:33","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T07:11:33","slug":"aussie-town-of-year-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/australia\/aussie-town-of-year-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"REVEALED: 2025 Wotif Aussie Town of the Year winner and finalists"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s that time of year again\u2014when we fire up the road trip playlist and shine a spotlight on Australia\u2019s top trending destinations for the year ahead. The Wotif Aussie Town of the Year Awards are back for their eighth legendary year, celebrating this year’s must-visit spots.** Need an excuse to pack the car (or book that flight) and explore more of your own backyard? We\u2019ve got you.<\/p>\n

And here\u2019s the cherry on top\u2014you can score 25% or more off select hotels with Mates Rates<\/a>*<\/strong>! But first, let\u2019s explore where your next great getaway should be…<\/p>\n

1. Port Stephens, NSW<\/h2>\n
\"Port
Credit: Destination NSW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All hail Port Stephens, our Aussie Town of the Year WINNER for 2025! And honestly, it\u2019s no surprise why. Just over two hours from Sydney (or a quick 30-minute hop from Newcastle Airport), this coastal paradise brings the wow factor. Think pristine beaches, epic lookouts, and the jaw-dropping Stockton Sand Dunes\u2014the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. Hikers, don\u2019t miss Tomaree National Park, and foodies, get ready to feast at The Poyer\u2019s<\/a>, NSW\u2019s top seafood spot. Oh, and if you’re up for more, hop on an award-winning cruise to take in the stunning coastline from a whole new perspective. Port Stephens has it all\u2014experience the Aussie Town of the Year for yourself!<\/p>\n

The place to be: Ramada Resort by Wyndham Shoal Bay<\/a><\/p>\n

2. Cairns, QLD<\/h2>\n

\"Cairn's<\/p>\n

Back in the spotlight after its 2021 win, Cairns is once again strutting its stuff on this year\u2019s awards list! As one of the ultimate gateways to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is your go-to for snorkeling that\u2019ll blow your mind. Short on time? A half-day tour lets you experience the reef and be back before you know it! Once you’re done making waves, head to the newly opened Mexicairns<\/a>\u2014the ultimate social hub to chill, sip, and feast. Trust us, Cairns is bringing the heat in all the best ways.<\/p>\n

Unwind in style: Crystalbrook Riley<\/a><\/p>\n

3. Mandurah, WA<\/h2>\n

\"Mandurah<\/p>\n

Just an hour south of Perth, this coastal playground is serving up endless ways to make a splash. With an estuary twice the size of Sydney Harbour (yep, twice), spending time on the water is a must. \u200d\ufe0fTry a sunrise kayaking tour, cruise on water bikes, or take a dip in the Insta-worthy Kwillena Gabi pool. And when you\u2019re done soaking up the views, go on a treasure hunt for the Giants of Mandurah<\/a>\u2014an epic outdoor art installation sticking around until 2026. Big vibes, bigger adventures\u2014who\u2019s in?<\/p>\n

Post play stay: Nautica Residences Mandurah<\/a><\/p>\n

4. Denmark, WA<\/h2>\n

\"Denmark<\/p>\n

Nature, wine, and a pub with a glow-up? Say less. Perched on WA\u2019s stunning Southwest Coast, Denmark is all about jaw-dropping scenery\u2014think the turquoise waters of Greens Pool and the epic Elephant Rocks (yep, they really look like elephants). But wait, there\u2019s more! New vineyard tours with bespoke experiences are popping up, and the newly renovated Denmark Hotel has had a serious glow-up\u2014so get ready to sip, soak, and explore!<\/p>\n

Rest up: Denmark Hotel<\/a><\/p>\n

5. Beechworth, VIC<\/h2>\n

\"Beechworth<\/p>\n

This historic gold rush town (just three hours from Melbourne) sits at the foot of the Aussie Alps, serving up all the charm, adventure, and drool-worthy eats you could ask for. Start your day with a famous Beechworth Bakery<\/a> beesting (trust us, one is never enough), sip your way through local wineries, then hit the Indigo Epic Mountain bike trails for a ride that\u2019s as thrilling as its name suggests. Coastal towns, step aside\u2014Beechworth is coming in hot!<\/p>\n

Recharge here: Beechworth Motor Inn<\/a><\/p>\n

6. Port Campbell, VIC<\/h2>\n

\"Port-Campbell<\/p>\n

Buckle up, because big things are happening at this coastal gem! A brand-new viewing platform at the 12 Apostles? A fresh trail<\/a> linking Port Campbell to Timboon? And coming soon\u2014the Loch Ard Gorge Blowhole lookout, guaranteed to blow your mind (literally). Foodies, don\u2019t worry\u2014we haven\u2019t forgotten you. The 12 Apostles Food Artisan Trail<\/a> is serving up the freshest local bites, and Crayfest<\/a> is bringing the party with top-tier seafood, live music, and local art. Honestly, if this lineup doesn\u2019t have you itching to visit, we don\u2019t know what will!<\/p>\n

Sleep by the sea: Sea Foam Villas<\/a><\/p>\n

7. Murray Bridge, SA<\/h2>\n

\"Murray<\/p>\n

Just a hop, skip, and an hour from Adelaide, this riverside beauty is packing big adventure energy. Where else can you feed lions at Monarto Safari Park<\/a> (yep, the biggest open-range zoo in Australia), dine riverside, and stargaze like a pro\u2014all in one trip? Honestly, say less\u2014we\u2019re already packing our bags. Who\u2019s coming?!<\/p>\n

Catch some Z\u2019s: Bridgeport Hotel<\/a><\/p>\n

8. Kingscliff, NSW<\/h2>\n

\"Kingscliff<\/p>\n

Only 15 minutes south of the QLD border, this Tweed Coast stunner is serving up more than just postcard-perfect beaches. Sure, it\u2019s a dreamy resort town, but scratch the surface, and you\u2019ll find seaside markets, award-winning eats, and endless ways to make a splash. Oh, and here\u2019s a tasty little bonus \u2013 Kingscliff is playing host to the Savour The Tweed<\/a> food and drink festival later in the year. So, who\u2019s up for a trip? We\u2019ll save you a seat (and a cocktail)!<\/p>\n

Settle in: Blue Water Motel<\/a><\/p>\n

9. Yamba, NSW<\/h2>\n

\"Yamba<\/p>\n

A beach town with main character energy! Surrounded by national parks, pristine beaches, and surf spots, Yamba is pure coastal magic. Whether you’re chasing waves at Main Beach, browsing the Yamba markets, paddling down the Clarence River, or soaking up the vibes at the region\u2019s first-ever bathhouse (fancy, huh?), there\u2019s something for everyone. So, round up your mates and get ready for a good time!<\/p>\n

Kick back: The Sands Resort<\/a><\/p>\n

10. Mackay, QLD<\/h2>\n

\"Mackay<\/p>\n

The cat\u2019s outta the bag! This tropical stunner is home to Australia\u2019s longest stretch of subtropical rainforest (yep, longest – let that sink in) and one of the country\u2019s most iconic wildlife experiences, the Cape Hillsborough Wallaby Experience. Sunrise selfies with wallabies? Tick! With nature, adventure, and culture all in one spot, Mackay\u2019s got everything. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get amongst it.<\/p>\n

Unwind here: Quest Mackay on Gordon<\/a><\/p>\n

A big congrats to Port Stephens and all our incredible finalists!<\/p>\n<\/i> FIND YOUR FAVOURITE AUSSIE GETAWAY <\/a>\n

 <\/p>\n

*Sale ends 31 March. T&Cs apply. Deals for Wotif members are valid for travel until 8\/9\/2025. Selected properties only. Book by 31\/3\/2025 11:59pm in the hotel property\u2019s local time. Stay between 25\/02\/2025-8\/9\/2025. Wotif Mates Rates are available to logged in Wotif account holders and Wotif app users. Travel restrictions, limited availability, blackout periods apply.<\/p>\n

Behind the research:<\/strong>
\nWotif research commissioned in collaboration with YouGov. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,024 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 13th \u2013 15th January 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Australian adults (aged 18+).<\/p>\n

**About the 2025 Wotif Aussie Town of the Year Award index:<\/strong>
\nTrending traveller interest: Based on accommodation searches on Wotif.com in 2024, compared to 2023
\nAffordability: Based on the average daily rate for accommodation demand on Wotif from January to November 2024
\nAccommodation: Based on accommodation quality and quantity on Wotif in 2024
\nReviews: Based on the average traveller review rating on Wotif for each destination in 2024<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s that time of year again\u2014when we fire up the road trip playlist and shine a spotlight on Australia\u2019s top trending destinations for the year ahead. The Wotif Aussie Town of the Year Awards are back for their eighth legendary year, celebrating this year’s must-visit spots.** Need an excuse to pack the car (or book …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":16735,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[740,765],"tags":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16708"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16708"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16708\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16743,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16708\/revisions\/16743"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16735"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16708"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16708"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16708"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}