June 13th, 2023Vote to make Woodend a winner: tourism awards coming up

Residents and visitors who love Woodend are being encouraged to help cement the unique local town’s status as Victoria’s most liveable regional town by voting in the 2023 TAC Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards.
Woodend has been announced as a finalist in the Top Small Town category of the annual awards –
for townships with a population from 1,000 to 5,000 – alongside Heathcote, Koroit and Sorrento.
The awards recognise and reward Victorian towns that demonstrate a strong commitment to tourism,
offer an excellent visitor experience, and show strong collaboration with tourism operators, local
businesses and the community. Winners at state level then represent Victoria in national awards.
Mayor Annette Death encouraged everyone to show their support and vote for Woodend in this year’s
awards.
“Awards like these help get the word out about our beautiful region and attract more visitors, who
ultimately end up supporting our local businesses by buying products, dining in our cafes and
restaurants, or staying in local accommodation,” she said.
“Woodend’s chance to win is based on a public vote and voting only takes a matter of minutes – we’d
love to see it come out on top among some impressive competition.”
As an extra incentive, governing body Victorian Tourism Industry Council is offering voters to go into
the draw to win a luxurious weekend for two in Melbourne, including accommodation and dining.
Woodend was named most liveable regional town in Victoria earlier this year in a study conducted by
PwC, with the analysis citing a range of liveability metrics including a mix of entertainment, family
amenity, jobs and transport links.
Mayor Death said Woodend had many elements that made it a top tourist destination, as both a
relatively easy day trip from Melbourne and an equally great destination for a longer stay, to better
experience more of what the area has to offer.
“Woodend has a beautiful natural environment with views of Mount Macedon, the iconic Hanging
Rock just a stone’s throw away, delicious local produce, amazing cafes and restaurants, an awardwinning brewery and amazing wineries close by,” she said.
“There is always something to see and do too, such as regular markets and the annual Woodend
Winter Arts Festival, coming up again soon from 9-12 June.”
Woodend’s nomination comes a year after Mount Macedon won the Victorian Top Tiny Town award
for 2022, followed by bronze at the national awards.
Voting is open from now until 22 June, with state winners to be announced on 26 July.
Visit vtic.com.au/toptourismtown/woodend to view Woodend’s page and vote, with public voting
competition terms and conditions also on the VTIC website.