Congratulations to all our winners! This year’s People’s Choice awards were announced at an exclusive industry lunch on Wednesday 25 October at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour and were sponsored by wonderful partners at Expedia. We make it a point at Australian Traveller to ensure good wines are always on the pour at our events, so a big thanks to our friends at Tyrrell’s Wines who supplied the matching wines.
We had an incredible time celebrating Australia and our fabulous, hard-working friends in the travel industry. Be sure to have your say in next year’s awards to make sure your favourite spots in this stunning country are represented and, of course, there are big prizes up for grabs just for entering. We’ll let you know when our survey goes out for 2018, keep in the loop by subscribing to our newsletter. In the meantime, read the complete list of winners here.
All guests took home a gift bag including the following goodies: The Awards (Nov/Dec/Jan) issue , Appelles Revitalising Pack, Cedar & Stone facial mist, The Australian Superfood Co. Granola and Raw Bar, My Sweet Box doughnut, Pana Chocolate, Byron Bay Cookie Company cookie, Murray River Salt Flakes, Corban & Blair conversation cards, Luxe Guides, I DTAGIT travel ID tags, and a bottle of Tyrrell’s Wine.
Photographer: Avi Ohana, Celebrity Studios Florist: L Flora
Torquay’s Bells Beach is considered one of the best surf beaches in the world.
It’d be easy to think Australian surf culture was born around the right-hand point breaks of the Gold Coast and Byron Bay. These regions seem the epitome of how the world views Aussie surfers – bronzed (or burnt), languishing in warm water and sunshine. The reality is a lot different.
The rise of surf culture along Victoria’s coastline
Surfers stand on the shore at Bells Beach, where the country’s biggest surfing competition is held each year. (Image: Getty/Filed Image)
True Aussie surf culture was born on the chilly waves of Victoria’s winters, when huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean hit cliff-lined beaches along the Great Ocean Road . These beaches were the ultimate proving ground – surfers from all over Australia arrived in panel vans and VWs to do battle with the biggest waves they could find.
Surfers take advantage of the huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean at Bells Beach. (Image: Tourism Australia/Cameron Murray)
There are surf breaks all along this very picturesque coast – but those around Torquay were most revered. The ultimate test of a surfer’s ability – and durability – however, was Bells Beach: Australia’s answer to Hawai‘i’s Pipeline. Just beyond, the breaks at Jan Juc and Winkipop beckoned.
Hit the waves along the picturesque coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)
Torquay became surfing’s Silicon Valley: HQ for the entire Australian surf culture revolution. Four young locals worked out of their backyards in Torquay to create two of the world’s biggest surf labels – Rip Curl and Quiksilver , which soon became the region’s biggest employers.
Surfers out at Bells Beach, Victoria’s most famous beach. (Image: Tourism Australia/Cameron Murray)
Rip Curl started sponsoring the Bells Beach Pro in 1973 – and have done ever since. It’s been going since 1962 – making it the world’s longest continually run surfing contest. Held every Easter, it’s part of the world surfing tour. Spectators line its 30-metre-high cliffs to watch the world’s best take on enormous waves – it’s the ultimate coliseum for the sport and has inspired generations of Aussie surfers to join the list of heroes whose names are on its iconic bell.
Follow the waves through Victoria’s surfing heartland
The Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay. (Image: Tourism Australia)
Just behind Torquay’s main drag, you can see all that history on display at the world’s best surf museum – the Australian National Surfing Museum . Here you can take your time absorbing the 100-year-or-so history of Australian surfing and check out the 150-strong surfboard collection.
The museum holds surfing memorabilia, including a room dedicated to the history of boards. (Image: Tourism Australia)
But classic Aussie surf culture can be observed in everyday life all over the Great Ocean Road and Torquay. Surfing dictates life here; no work is done until the big swells have come and gone. Just being here provides a window into 60-odd years of rebellion against convention; for no-one likes nine-to-five living on the Great Ocean Road.
The varied displays celebrate the Bells Beach competition, surfing legends and Aussie surf culture. (Image: Tourism Australia)
There’s less panel vans and VW Beetles these days, but surf culture still rules life. Surfers run this coast; you’re better off keeping out of their way when they’re running down past you to face the biggest swells – then hear them swap stories at cafes, restaurants and bars all around you.
The beach near Torquay is Australia’s answer to Hawai‘i’s Pipeline. (Image: Visit Victoria/William Watt)
People's Choice 2017 awards event wrap up | Australian Traveller
