Victoria’s top town has just been crowned – and it’s a coastal gem

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
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These tiny towns are packed with personality – and now they’ve got the title to prove it.

Every year, each Aussie state reveals its most beloved destinations across three categories – the Top Tourism Town, Top Small Tourism Town and Top Tiny Tourism Town. NSW announced its winners last month. Now, it’s Victoria’s time to shine. Drum roll, please…

Victoria’s Top Tourism Town

Warrnambool in Victoria
Seaside Warrnambool is Victoria’s Top Tourism Town of 2025.

Say hello to Victoria’s Top Tourism Town of 2025 – Warrnambool! Open to towns with a population of 5,000 or more, this category recognises stand-out destinations that offer something truly special – and it’s not hard to see why Warrnambool took out top honours. Situated along the iconic Great Ocean Road and a three-hour drive from Melbourne, Warrnambool offers the perfect blend of regional charm and coastal bliss.

Deep Blue Hot Springs in Warrnambool, Victoria
Take a dip in geothermal waters at Deep Blue Hot Springs.

Wander along the main drag to explore cosy cafes and vintage boutiques. Or head to the coast for beautiful beaches and scenic walking trails. It’s also a great jumping-off point for the Great Victorian Bathing Trail, a 900-kilometre tourist route that takes in some of the state’s best natural geothermal baths. Start in the heart of town at Deep Blue Hot Springs , a mineral-rich sanctuary of open-air rock pools.

Warrnambool combines coastal vibes with regional charm.

Add in friendly locals and a laid-back lifestyle, and Warrnambool’s win feels like a no-brainer. The regional city of Ballarat was hot on its heels, though, scoring the category’s silver award. Maybe 2026 will be your year, Ballarat!

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Victoria’s Top Small Tourism Town

Bogong Horseback Adventures in Mount Beauty, Victoria
Discover the countryside charms of Mount Beauty.

Next up is Victoria’s Top Small Tourism Town – a category reserved for towns with a population between 1,500 and 5,000. And this year, the award goes to Mount Beauty! It’s all in the name here. This charming township, around a 4.5-hour drive from the state’s capital, sits at the base of Victoria’s highest peak, Mt Bogong.

Bogong Horseback Adventures in Mount Beauty, Victoria
Join a scenic horse-riding tour with Bogong Horseback Adventures.

Mount Beauty is home to some of Victoria’s most bucolic landscapes that have long attracted nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. From horse-riding tours with Bogong Horseback Adventures to bike tracks and hiking trails, visitors are spoilt for choice. Come the cooler months, the surrounding mountains are covered in snow, and with Mount Hotham only an hour away, it’s the perfect place to book for a cosy winter weekend.

Mt Hotham in Victoria
Head to nearby Mt Hotham to hit the slopes come winter.

Port Fairy on the Shipwreck Coast, named after the 700+ vessels submerged in its waters, took out silver in the Top Small Tourism Town category this year. And while it may be a world away from the winner, its rich offerings made for fierce competition.

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Victoria’s Top Tiny Tourism Town

Trentham in Victoria
Visit cosy country pubs in Trentham.

The final category shines the spotlight on Victoria’s pocket-sized towns – those with no more than 1,500 residents. Let’s hear it for the Top Tiny Tourism Town of 2025 – Trentham! Don’t let its size fool you. This historic village, under two hours north-west of Melbourne, sure packs a mighty punch. Sitting pretty atop the Great Dividing Range, Trentham has been enchanting visitors since it was established by gold prospectors in the 1850s.

Trentham in Victoria
The tiny town is home to a range of boutique stores.

Focus soon shifted to gems of a different kind – cosy country pubs, boutique stores and stylish accommodation like The Cosmopolitan Hotel – which solidified Trentham as a regional treasure. But there’s more to the suburb than its charming streetscapes. Aptly named Trentham Falls is the highest single-drop waterfall in Central Victoria, plunging more than 32 metres. Who knew one of Australia’s best waterfalls was just a five-minute drive from town?

Trentham Falls in Victoria
Trentham Falls cascades over a basalt cliff for more than 32 metres.

Halls Gap claimed silver for the Top Tiny Tourism Town award. Known as the gateway to the Grampians, the village is another natural wonder. And while an abundance of waterfalls can also be found nearby, they couldn’t quite compete with Trentham’s crown jewel this year.

Bronze commendations for each category were awarded to Echuca, Portarlington and Whitfield, respectively, with all winners decided by the Victoria Tourism Industry Council .

Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to visit places like Norway and New Zealand, her favourite place to explore will forever be her homeland.
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The best new accommodation along the Great Ocean Road

    Louis Costello Louis Costello
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    A new wave of retreats, hotels, glamping sites and more is encouraging visitors to savour their time spent along the Great Ocean Road.

    Long holding a place as one of Australia’s most rewarding drives, cliffs, curves and shifting coastal light continue to draw travellers to Victoria’s coastline year after year. What has evolved more quietly is the range of new accommodation along the Great Ocean Road to add new dimensions to the drive.

    Rather than competing for attention, these stays are shaped by their settings. They sit beside rivers, among vines, on the edge of lakes and close to town centres where local life unfolds at an unhurried pace. Together, they point to a way of travelling the Great Ocean Road that values time spent in place, as much as distance covered.

    1. The Monty, Anglesea

    inside a classic room at The Monty Anglesea Great Ocean Road
    Settle into The Monty’s unique style.

    Anglesea has always appealed to travellers drawn to a quieter stretch of coast, where surf culture, bushland and river scenery blend into one. The Monty complements that character with a recent rebrand and refresh with traditional beach road trip nostalgia in mind. Mid-century retro decor means rooms are contemporary and funky, without being over-styled.

    A highlight of the stay is Nina Cantina, the on-site Mexican restaurant overlooking the Anglesea River. Opening in 2026, it will undoubtedly become a popular gathering point, bringing together locals, day trippers and overnight guests. Watch the river flow while tucking into plates of tacos, before enjoying a digestion swim in The Monty’s pool.

    Mornings in Anglesea often begin quietly. Kangaroos are a familiar sight on the nearby golf course, and walking tracks wind through heathland that reflects the natural landscape of the Surf Coast. From here, the road south feels like a continuation rather than a departure, easing travellers into the next stretch of the journey.

    2. Basalt Retreats, Port Fairy

    Basalt Retreat Private Villa interior
    Discover this new adults-only retreat.

    Near Port Fairy, Basalt Retreats is an adults-only delight set among a 24-year-old vineyard at Basalt Wines . The accommodation is a mixture of luxury and linens (and ultra comfy beds), allowing the long stretches of grapes to take centre stage. As the sun sets, Basalt Retreats settles into stillness. With minimal light pollution, the night sky becomes part of the experience, and star-searchers will delight in the uninterrupted views of our vast universe.

    Poombeeyt Koontapool lookout
    See Poombeeyt Koontapool from the lookout.

    Staying along the Great Ocean Road western region gives you en route access to coastal landmarks. A visit to Poombeeyt Koontapool at Loch Ard Gorge is a must for those fascinated by natural blowholes, with enough walking trails to tucker out the most seasoned hiker.

    The Poorpa Yanyeen Meereeng Trail between Timboon and Port Campbell reveals how wetlands, farmland and coastline connect across the region, best appreciated on foot or by bike.

    3. Lake Colac Holiday Park, Colac

    cabin at Lake Colac Holiday Park
    Book into a cabin at Lake Colac Holiday Park.

    Lake Colac Holiday Park introduces new cabin accommodation set along the edge of a broad volcanic lake. The cabins are modern and light-filled, designed to make the most of the water views and open skies.

    Lake Colac plays an important role in local life, hosting community events and everyday rituals alike. Staying here offers insight into the agricultural heart of the Great Ocean Road region, where the pace is shaped by seasons rather than sightseeing schedules.

    Brae Restaurant great ocean road victoria
    Have a delicious lunch, then join a farm tour at Brae Restaurant. (Image: Visit Vic)

    Colac’s central location places visitors within reach of standout regional experiences. Otways Distillery’s Birregurra cellar door reflects the surrounding forest in its approach to spirits. While Brae Restaurant’s guided farm and kitchen garden tours offer a closer look at the land that underpins its acclaimed dining. Together, they highlight the strong connection between produce, place and people.

    4. Glamping tents, Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve

    Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve Glamping
    Take a breather in Apollo Bay with brand new glamping tents.

    Back on the coast, Apollo Bay has always been known to be a natural place to take a breather, sitting roughly at the Great Ocean Road’s midway point. The brand-spanking new glamping tents at the Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve offer comfortable accommodation that remains closely connected to the outdoors. With ensuite bathrooms and thoughtfully designed interiors, the cabin-tent hybrids offer enough privacy and luxuries to make the trip feel more luxurious than your standard camping affair.

    Set near the river and within walking distance of the town centre, the location allows guests to move easily between beach walks, forest drives and relaxed meals.

    A session at The Corner Sauna fits naturally into a stay here. The wood-fired sauna has become part of Apollo Bay’s way of life, offering warmth and restoration after time spent in the elements (also known as a frolic at the beach).

    Apollo Bay Fishermens Co-op
    Enjoy fresh seafood at Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op.

    Apollo Bay has enough to entertain and dazzle travellers more than your average town. Graze on fresh seafood at local cafes – like Graze or Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op – before venturing to nearby waterfalls. Spend hours kayaking among real-life seals, try your hand at surf lessons taught by understanding and patient guides, or simply spend your days reading a book while the surf crashes in front of you.

    Together, these new accommodation openings highlight the Great Ocean Road’s continued evolution. With more places that invite travellers to slow down and stay a little longer, the journey becomes less about rushing between landmarks and more about engaging with the unique towns along the way.

    Start planning your next trip along the Great Ocean Road at visitgreatoceanroad.org.au .