Echuca has just been crowned Victoria’s Top Tourism Town for 2026.

Each year, every Australian state announces a winning destination across three competitive categories: Top Tourism Town, Top Small Tourism Town and Top Tiny Tourism Town – and Victoria has just announced its winners.

After finishing in third place in 2025, the historic riverside town of Echuca returned to take the crown for Top Tourism Town for 2026. With a picturesque position on the banks of the Murray River on the Victorian-NSW border across from its twin border town of Moama, Echuca is renowned for its historic paddlesteamers, houseboat stays and wineries.

Having also earned a spot in Australian Traveller’s exclusive, expert panel-voted list of Australia’s 100 best towns for 2026, it’s safe to say this rural gem is having a good year.

Victoria’s Top Tourism Town

Just a 2.5-hour drive from Melbourne, this charming town has unhindered access to the Murray River and the Campaspe River, which flows from Victoria’s Central Highlands to join the Murray west of Echuca, delivering plenty of on-water activities as well as riverside walking trails, prime fishing spots, and an abundance of native birdlife.

Once home to Australia’s largest inland port, travellers can experience Echuca’s river-trading past onboard the town’s historic paddlesteamers with a cruise along the Murray River. Launching in September 2026, visitors will soon be able to sleep onboard the PS Australian Star, Australia’s first five-star river cruise, with all-inclusive three-, four-, and seven-night itineraries departing from Echuca.

Those who prefer to do their own thing can hire a houseboat and spend a weekend drifting down the river, or, if you have less time, spend a day exploring the river by kayak or canoe and soak in the stunning riverfront.

Back on dry land, make the most of Echuca’s food and drink scene with a stop at Echuca Distillery for spirits or pop across the river to its sister town, Moama, for Two Lads Brewing, Morrisons Winery and Old School Winery to taste honey wine and buy hand-thrown pottery under one roof.

The year-round events calendar includes Riverboats Music Festival and the Festival of Stories, so there’s no shortage of things to do in this Victorian town.

Victoria’s Top Small Tourism Town

This year, the title of Victoria’s Top Small Tourism Town went to Portarlington, a seaside town on the Bellarine Peninsula known as Australia’s mussel capital.

Food is a major part of its appeal. Fresh mussels are harvested from the waters of Port Phillip Bay, while local restaurants, nearby wineries and even a boutique mussel cruise make it easy to build an entire weekend around eating and drinking.

But there’s more to Portarlington than just seafood. Visitors can swim, fish and boat in the bay, tee off at the local golf course or wander the town’s shops before checking into the beautifully restored Portarlington Grand Hotel, which dates back to 1888.

Victoria’s Top Tiny Tourism Town

For towns with fewer than 1500 residents, Portsea took out the top prize.

Sitting at the tip of the Mornington Peninsula, the tiny coastal town has the best of both worlds: the calm waters of Port Phillip Bay on one side and the wild Bass Strait coastline on the other.

A day here can be as laid-back or adventurous as you fancy. Swim at Portsea Front Beach, wander the clifftop trails or head into nearby Point Nepean National Park, where walking and cycling tracks weave between spectacular coastal scenery and remnants of the area’s military and quarantine history.

And although Portsea has a reputation as one of the Mornington Peninsula’s more exclusive enclaves, its biggest drawcards are refreshingly simple: beautiful beaches, dramatic coastal walks and plenty of opportunities to slow down and take a breath.