Albury NSW is the top travel destination for the Wotif.com 2023 Aussie Town of the Year Awards

The top ten best towns in Australia to visit for 2023 have been named – and the winner is a humble border town typically thought of as a ‘pit stop on the way’ rather than the final destination.

Albury in New South Wales topped the list at the sixth annual Wotif Aussie Town of the Year Awards.

The border town is a common ‘snoozy pass through’ for those travelling between Sydney and Melbourne but is being increasingly lauded for its natural beauty and vibrant food, drink and cultural scene. 

Also making the top ten was Bundaberg in Queensland which came in second and Tasmania’s New Norfolk earning third place. 

The results were determine based on Wotif’s data index that measures a destination’s accommodation affordability, quality and traveller satisfaction. 

The border town is the perfect pit-stop between Sydney and Melbourne and is famed for its outstanding natural beauty and vibrant food, drink and cultural scene 

Albury is fast becoming known as the ‘perfect blend’ of country and city living as it is near two of the biggest Australian capital cities and a stone’s throw away from some of the country’s most stunning wine regions, the Murray River, mountains and ski fields. 

Travellers have also been drawn to the regional town’s happening cultural and culinary experiences including high-end restaurants, museums, Botanic Gardens and whiskey and wine bars. 

Albury’s tourism industry, which once drew in $1billion for the local economy, took a massive hit in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns. 

Over the past two years, the town council has been calling for visitors to return through a series of partnerships, promotions and social media campaigns.

Last year Albury saw an 47 per cent increase in domestic visitors compared to 2021.

The spike in visitors saw the town bring in $681million for the economy which is an 86 per cent increase and a huge closer step to the revenue generated in pre-pandemic days.  

AlburyCity Mayor Kylie King said she was honoured that Albury was chosen as the Wotif Aussie Town of the Year after the rough few years.

‘Albury is both cosmopolitan and laidback, culturally connected and naturally abundant,’ she told FEMAIL.

‘Visitors can enjoy a  surprising variety of galleries, museums, theatres and festivals. They can experience our culinary creativity with fresh local produce, in vibrant restaurants, and specialist whiskey and wine bars.

‘They can immerse themselves in nature on our iconic Murray River and Lake Hume, through our vast hill vistas and trails, beautiful parks and gardens.’

Travellers have been drawn to the regional town’s happening cultural and culinary experiences including high-end restaurants and whiskey and wine bars 

‘I’d like to thank all our passionate accommodation and tourism operators who have worked hard to make the experience of visiting the Albury Wodonga region so memorable for travellers, and without whom this destination experience recognition wouldn’t have been possible.’

Millions have been invested in facilities to help both Albury locals and visitors enjoy its stunning natural landscape from cycle trails, to boardwalks and even floating river docks.

Equally as a humble, Bundaberg in Queensland followed closely behind in second place on the list.  

While many know the town for its famous rum distillery, few may be aware the town is a hub for Australia’s best fresh produce. 

Albury’s tourism industry once drew in $1billion for the local economy, took a massive hit in during Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 but travellers are returning in droves

Also making the top ten was Bundaberg (left) in Queensland which came in second and Tasmania’s New Norfolk (right) earning third place

Bundaberg, four and a half hours north of Brisbane, produces 25 per cent of the country’s freshly grown produce and is also an ideal base base for exploring the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. 

Third on Wotif’s list is the quaint town of New Norfolk in Tasmania which is the state’s third oldest settlement and just a short 37-minute drive inland from Hobart.  

The River Derwent cuts the town in half and draws in keen kayakers and natural lovers while its centre is peppered with eclectic antique stores and charming period buildings that call back to its historic roots. 

In number four of the top ten is Port Lincoln in South Australia which is considered a foodie’s heaven and Australia’s ‘seafood capital’. 

While many know Bundaberg for its famous rum distillery, few may be aware the newly-named second best town to visit in the country is a coastal hub for Australia’s best fresh produce

The River Derwent cuts New Norfolk in half and draws in natural lovers while its centre is peppered with eclectic stores and charming period buildings that call back to its historic roots

Ballarat in Victoria’s Central Highlands was fifth on the list while the friendly New South Wales town of Merimbula earned a spot at number six and Toowoomba in Queensland came in seventh.

Also making the top ten was Dunsborough (WA), Orange (NSW), and Echuca (VIC) coming in at eighth, ninth and tenth respectively. 

It was also revealed one in two Aussies are planning three-day getaways in their own backyard this year with 44 per cent basing their decision for financial reasons amid the rising cost of living leaving little in the average family’s budget for holidays. 

Wotif Managing Director Daniel Finch said trends have consistently shown Aussies are committed to opting for domestic destinations for their getaways. 

‘While cost considerations are top of mind for everyone this year, it’s clear travellers are not deterred and instead are prioritising accessible, experience-rich getaways,’ he said.  

‘We know 29 per cent of Aussies are open to travelling to new destinations this year to keep costs down, and we hope by spotlighting these deserving destinations, all of which are extremely accessible, the awards inspire Aussies to explore and connect with regional destinations beyond the typical tried and tested.’