Victoria celebrates big wins at the Australian Tourism Awards

Victoria’s tourism industry has shone brightly on the national stage once again.

16 businesses and operators received top honours at the 2025 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.

The awards celebrated over 170 finalists across 26 categories, highlighting innovation and excellence in Australian tourism.

Victoria emerged proudly with 6 gold, 8 silver, and 2 bronze awards. These achievements underline the dedication, talent, and creativity of operators across the state.

Several Victorian winners were assisted in the application process through the Victorian Tourism Awards Mentoring Program. This program was delivered by the Victoria Tourism Industry Council and supported through the Regional Tourism Industry Development Program.

This program helps tourism businesses across Victoria with personalised mentoring and guidance to create outstanding visitor experiences and plan for future growth.

Its success is evident: of the 28 businesses involved, 26 became finalists at the Victorian Tourism Awards with Gold winners then competing at the national level. This focused support improves both business performance and industry success.

The Victorian Gold award winners

• Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in the Business Event Venue category.
• Boutique Grampians accommodation experience Mount William Station in the 5 tar Luxury Accommodation category.
• Go Adventure Nagambie achieved an incredible milestone, taking home Gold in two categories: Tourism Retail, Hire Services and Adventure Tourism, showcasing their exceptional commitment to excellence in tourism.
• Melbourne’s iconic Shrine of Remembrance shone brightest in the Cultural Tourism category
• Tiny house accommodation Nook On The Hill in Halls Gap taking out top place in the Self-Contained Accommodation category.

Exciting news for next year's awards

The 2026 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards will be hosted at Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre in March 2027.

The $449 million Nyaal Banyul centre will be operated by the Victorian Convention and Event Trust. The venue already has 56 events booked in when it opens its doors in July.

These events will have significant impact on the local economy through delegate spending on accommodation, dining, and local attractions. They are estimated to bring $13 million in economic value to the Geelong region.

The future is bright for Victoria’s tourism industry

With its visitor economy valued at $46 billion and supporting 288,000 jobs, Victoria is cementing its place as a must-visit destination. These award-winning businesses continue to drive innovation and excellence in the sector. It's a bright future for the state’s tourism industry.

Learn more about the winners, on the Australian Tourism Awards website.