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Friday, July 25, 2025
www.warrnamboolweekly.com.au
Tourism GOLD
WARRNAMBOOL has been awarded the prestigious gold medal at the 2025 Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards.
Warrnambool City finished ahead of Ballarat and Echuca and will now represent Victoria at Australia’s Top Tourism Town Awards. The awards, presented by the Victorian Tourism Industry Council on Wednesday night, celebrate the immense value of tourism to towns and communities across Victoria, highlighting the diversity and exceptional regional destinations throughout the state. The achievement is a testament to the dedication and passion of all the incredible people who contribute to making Warrnambool a worldclass tourism destination. This year, over 27,000 votes were cast, and the awards were picked up by a huge number of media outlets, showcasing the Warrnambool region to more people than ever before. “This widespread recognition will help grow the visitor appeal of Warrnambool and its surrounding towns, drawing attention to our rich cultural heritage, stunning natural landscapes, and diverse range of activities,” mayor Cr Ben Blain said. “Winning gold not only enhances Warrnambool’s
Warrnambool is this week celebrating ‘tourism gold’. Pictured accepting the award are deputy mayor Cr Vicki Jellie, manager city activation Paul Thompson, Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Ltd general manager Liz Price, service manager Flagstaff Hill Ashley Ansell and visitor services coordinator Ashley Price. reputation within Victoria, but also positions us at the forefront of the tourism industry, strengthening our connections with key partners such as Great Ocean Road Tourism, Visit
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Victoria, and Tourism Australia. “This accolade amplifies our visibility on both national and international stages, inviting more visitors to discover the charm and attractions of our
beautiful city,” Cr Blain said. “Thank you to everyone who shared the public vote and contributed to this success. “We would also like to congratulate Port Fairy which
collected silver in the small town category.” The other finalists included Bendigo, Mildura, Lakes Entrance, Swan Hill, Shepparton and Werribee.
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