{"id":7000,"date":"2019-01-15T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-01-14T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/?p=7000"},"modified":"2020-04-02T05:36:26","modified_gmt":"2020-04-01T19:36:26","slug":"top-aussie-towns-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/australia\/trending\/top-aussie-towns-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s official! Wotif\u2019s top ten Aussie towns for 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s official! For the second year in a row<\/a>, the Wotif team have crunched the numbers \u2013 looking at pricing, demand, reviews and available accommodation deals \u2013 to find the top ten Australian destinations for the upcoming year. Ten fantastic Aussie towns that offer great value for money and incredible experiences, making them perfect for holidays.<\/p>\n

The top ten Aussie towns for 2019 are…<\/p>\n

10. Warwick, QLD<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

This isn\u2019t Warwick\u2019s first rodeo. Famously known as the ‘Rose and Rodeo City’, Warwick is the proud home of some of Australia\u2019s best rodeo riders, with the Warwick Rodeo<\/a> held on the last full weekend in October every year. Warwick is also about an hour’s drive from QLD\u2019s famous Granite Belt \u2013 a premium food and wine destination with stunning national parks that makes an excellent addition to a Southern Downs road trip.<\/p>\n

Hanging out with the locals in Warwick, QLD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n

9. Dubbo, NSW<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Dubbo is most famous for Taronga Western Plains Zoo<\/a>, which is reason enough for a trip (especially for families). However, it\u2019s also home to the Warrumbungle Observatory<\/a>, which offers unbelievable outback stargazing. It\u2019s a must-visit!<\/p>\n

Victoria Park in Dubbo, NSW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n

8. Scamander, TAS<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

A classic Tassie holiday destination, Scamander has wide, sandy beaches, riverside retreats, and beautiful nature reserves. The Scamander River is famous for its bream, so make sure you cast a line.<\/p>\n

Where Scamander River meets the sea, TAS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n

7. Palm Cove, QLD<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

A quiet tropical paradise nestled between Cairns and Port Douglas, breezy Palm Cove offers the ultimate beachside escape. Travel between April and December to check out the Palm Cove Markets (held every Sunday) or 4 \u2013 6 October 2019 for the delicious Reef Feast food festival.<\/p>\n

Paradise! Palm Cove, QLD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n

6. Cowra, NSW<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Once the site of a massive POW camp (and the infamous Cowra Breakout), Cowra is now home to moving World War II memorials and beautiful Japanese heritage sites. Don\u2019t miss the Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival<\/a> (28 September 2019) or the Cowra Wine Show<\/a> (14 July 2019).<\/p>\n

Wow! Cowra Japanese Garden, NSW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n

5. Forster, NSW<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Arguably one of the country\u2019s best whale-watching destinations, Forster\u2019s stunning, near untouched beaches make it one of Australia\u2019s (almost) undiscovered gems. Visit between mid May and late July to watch the humpbacks migrate north or mid September and late November to see them return south (often with their new calves).<\/p>\n

Fancy a dip? Forster, NSW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n

4. Bendigo, VIC<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Australia\u2019s biggest regional arts hub, Bendigo is a must-visit for culture vultures. It\u2019s home to the country\u2019s largest regional art gallery and is hosting some fantastic events in 2019. Visit before 10 February 2019 to see \u2018Frida Kahlo, her photos<\/a>\u2019 at the Bendigo Art Gallery; between 16 March and 14 July 2019 to see ‘Tudors to Windsors: British Royal Portraits<\/a>‘ (which includes many pieces that have never toured outside the UK before), also at the Bendigo Art Gallery; before the end of February 2019 for free live music (courtesy of Summer in the Parks<\/a>); or on 23 March 2019 for the Bendigo Craft Beer & Cider Festival<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Next stop, Bendigo, VIC!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n

3. Port Augusta, SA<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

The heart and crossroads of Australia, and the gateway to the Flinders Ranges, Port Augusta is located on the peaceful waterways of the Spencer Gulf. The breathtaking sunsets alone are worth the trip, but if you need an extra reason, visit around 23 June 2019 for the Farmers and Graziers Squatter Cup (Port Augusta\u2019s annual race day) too.<\/p>\n

Sunset in Port Augusta, SA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n

2. Albany, WA<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

As close as you\u2019ll get to an historic European city in WA, Albany is the Western state\u2019s oldest European settlement, with beautiful heritage buildings and fascinating museums. Now is the time to go, with Bruce Munro\u2019s Field of Light: Avenue of Honour<\/a> \u2013 an incredible immersive art installation honouring the Anzacs \u2013 running until 25 April 2019.<\/p>\n

Albany Town Hall \u2013 just one of the many beautiful heritage buildings in Albany, WA.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n

Now, a drumroll, please. According to Wotif data, the No.1 Aussie town for 2019 is…<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Port Fairy, VIC<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Port Fairy \u2013 a sweet, almost undiscovered fishing village at the quiet end of the Great Ocean Road \u2013 was a shoo-in for our top ten. But its cool Port Fairy Folk Festival<\/a> (8 \u2013 11 March 2019), buzzing local art scene and charming old-world cottages tipped it over the edge to take out the No.1. slot. Congratulations to Port Fairy for its well-deserved win!<\/p>\n

Port Fairy, VIC – Wotif’s 2019 Aussie Town of the Year!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/div>\n<\/i> PLAN YOUR 2019 GETAWAY <\/a>\n

 <\/p>\n

Behind the stats:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The 2019 Wotif Aussie Town of the Year Awards are based on a data index examining each destination\u2019s affordability, demand, accommodation deals and traveller reviews on Wotif.com.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s official! For the second year in a row, the Wotif team have crunched the numbers \u2013 looking at pricing, demand, reviews and available accommodation deals \u2013 to find the top ten Australian destinations for the upcoming year. Ten fantastic Aussie towns that offer great value for money and incredible experiences, making them perfect for …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":7033,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[740,765],"tags":[357,358,359,272],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7000"}],"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\/48"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7000"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7000\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7075,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7000\/revisions\/7075"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7033"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7000"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7000"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wotif.com\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7000"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}