The central western NSW town of Mudgee has taken out top honours at a national tourism towns awards ceremony for the second year running.

The winners of the Top Tourism Towns 2022, presented by the Australian Tourism Industry Council (ATIC), were announced at ceremony at Parliament house on Tuesday.

Senior Director NSW Tourism Industry Council Paula Martin said Mudgee faced fierce competition but its food and wine scene and passionate local operators got it over the line.

In its competition pitch, Mid-Western Regional Councils’s tourism body Mudgee Region Tourism described the town as a contemporary country destination, infused with art and music, offering quality produce and wine, and shaped by a strong sense of community.

It also noted the opening last August of its new Visitor Information Centre at the new Mudgee Arts Precinct.

Mid-Western Regional Council Mayor Des Kennedy said it was humbling to be recognised as Australia’s Top Tourism Town for the second year in a row.

“Our excellent tourism operators deliver exceptional and high quality services consistently that are clearly embraced by visitors to Mudgee,” he told Government News.

The tourism industry brought more than $1 million a year to the local economy, he added.

Historic Bendigo in Victoria was awarded silver in the Top Tourism Towns category and Mandurah on the south-west coast of WA claimed bronze.

Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said she was thrilled with Bendigo’s award, which reflected its strong arts and culture brand.

“The visitor economy is crucial for our region’s success and we are lucky enough to have amazing and passionate businesses in hospitality, accommodation, retail and attractions who create memorable experiences for visitors,” she said.

Domestic tourism bounces back

Exmouth on the westernmost tip of WA; rural Sheffield in Tasmania and the Victorian fishing village of Port Fairy won gold, silver and bronze respectively in the Small Tourism Town category, which recognises towns with populations of between 5,000 and 1,500.

The tiny tourism town awards, for towns with fewer than 1,500 people, went to Strahn on the west coast of Tasmania (gold); Outback Winton in Queensland (silver) and Mount Macedon in Victoria (bronze).

Ms Martin said domestic tourism was on the rise thanks to collaboration and thinking outside the square.

“Domestic tourism is definitely on the rise with many operators telling us that their forward bookings are at capacity as Australians seek out authentic and unique experiences,” she said.

Winners were determined via a state and national level voting process combining people’s choice votes and an industry judging panel.

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