Victoria’s tourism sector has secured one of its strongest showings at the 2025 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, with operators across the state recognised for excellence at a national ceremony in Fremantle.
Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulos said the awards reflected the depth and quality of Victoria’s tourism industry, noting that operators had demonstrated “dedication and skill on the national stage”. He said the sector continued to set benchmarks nationally, supported by strong industry leadership and innovation.
Sixteen Victorian businesses were among the winners, collecting six gold, eight silver and two bronze awards across 26 categories, from a field of more than 170 finalists. The results underline the state’s continued prominence in Australia’s visitor economy.
Among the standout performers, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre took out gold in the event venue category, while Mount William Station in the Grampians was recognised for five-star luxury accommodation. Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance was awarded top honours in cultural tourism, and Nook On The Hill in Halls Gap won the self-contained accommodation category.
Nagambie-based Go Adventure achieved dual gold medals, winning both tourism retail, hire and services, and adventure tourism categories — a rare result that highlights its standing within the sector.
Several of the winning businesses had previously participated in the Victorian Tourism Awards Mentoring Program, part of the state government’s Regional Tourism Industry Development Program, aimed at strengthening regional operators and improving competitiveness.
Victoria’s visitor economy is valued at $46 billion and supports around 288,000 jobs, making it a significant contributor to the state’s broader economy.
The state is also set to host the Australian Tourism Awards in 2027 at the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, a $449 million development expected to drive regional visitation and major events. More than 50 events have already been scheduled ahead of its planned opening in mid-2027.
Victoria Tourism Industry Council chief executive Lisa Patroni said the results demonstrated the resilience and capability of local operators, describing the outcome as one of the state’s most impressive performances at the national awards. She added that hosting the 2027 ceremony would provide an opportunity to showcase the industry on a national stage.
The latest results come amid continued competition between states to attract domestic and international visitors, with Victoria positioning itself as a leading destination through major events, cultural attractions and regional experiences.
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