Community
22 August, 2026
Silver for Port Fairy
PORT Fairy has finished second in Victoria’s 2026 Top Small Tourism Town award (population 1500-5,000), just behind overall category winner Portarlington.
Third place in the ‘small town’ category went to Camperdown.
Echuca won gold in the Top Tourism Town (population over 5,000) category, followed by Bendigo and Ballarat.
In the tiny town category (population under 1500) gold went to Portsea, followed by Glenrowan and Port Campbell.
Victoria’s top tourism town award winners were announced during a special presentation evening at the Victorian Tourism Conference in Morwell last Wednesday, August 12.
Presented by the Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC), the awards recognise towns that deliver outstanding visitor experiences, with 22 finalist destinations competing across three categories.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, The Hon. Natalie Suleyman thanked all the nominees on their outstanding contribution to Victoria’s visitor economy and congratulated all winners for their well-deserved recognition.
“Victoria’s tourism businesses are a powerhouse for our economy. These awards recognise the towns that help make our state a leading destination for visitors,” Ms Suleyman said.
“Their contribution is significant and Labor is proud to back the jobs and opportunities that tourism brings to communities right across Victoria.”
VTIC chief executive officer Lisa Patroni said the awards celebrated the communities, tourism operators, volunteers and local businesses that make Victoria and its regions one of Australia’s most sought-after visitor destinations.
This year’s entries attracted a combined 30,000 public votes.
“One of the things I love most about these awards is the pride communities take in welcoming visitors,” Ms Patroni said.
“Towns rally behind one another because they understand tourism isn’t just about attracting people to visit – it’s about creating opportunities for our state.
“Every finalist has earned its place. Whether it’s incredible food and wine, breathtaking natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage or unforgettable local experiences, these destinations showcase the very best of regional Victoria.”
Ms Patroni said tourism remained one of Victoria’s strongest economic drivers contributing $48.6 billion to the Victorian economy in 2025-26, while supporting more than 322,000 jobs and almost 110,000 tourism businesses.
“When visitors stay an extra night, book a local experience or enjoy a meal in town, they’re investing directly in Victoria’s economy and that’s why these awards matter.
“They recognise the destinations that consistently deliver exceptional visitor experiences while supporting local economies.”
The Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards are determined through a combination of public voting and independent judging, assessing each destination’s visitor appeal, tourism excellence and collaboration across the local community.
Port Fairy’s recent silver medal adds yet another accolade to a trophy cabinet already packed with state and national tourism honours.
Moyne Shire mayor Cr Jordan Lockett said the award was a great reflection of the people, experiences and places that make Port Fairy such a popular destination.
“This is a phenomenal result for Port Fairy and something the whole community should be incredibly proud of,” Cr Lockett said.
The award is the latest in a string of success for Port Fairy at the annual event.
The town entered the Hall of Fame after winning gold in 2021 and 2022 and went on to claim silver again in 2025.
The town also claimed silver at the Australian Tourism Town Awards in 2021.
The win follows Port Fairy’s recent success in the Australian Traveller Top 100 Towns rankings, where the town was named number four in Australia and number one in Victoria as well as being Australia’s best town for festivals and events.
“Port Fairy has so much to offer, from its beautiful beaches, coastline and natural environment to its history, cultural heritage, arts, festivals, food and hospitality,” Cr Lockett said.
“But what really sets it apart are the people who bring all of that to life. Our businesses, tourism operators, volunteers, artists, event organisers and community groups all play an important role in creating the experience visitors enjoy.
“Tourism continues to play a vital role in supporting local jobs, businesses and investment opportunities across Port Fairy and Moyne Shire.”
Port Fairy is also a gateway to the broader Moyne region, with visitors drawn to its historic towns, agricultural landscapes, local produce and the rich cultural heritage and stories that have shaped the region.
Cr Lockett said the recognition was an opportunity to celebrate what makes the destination unique and to pay tribute to the work of council’s hard working tourism team.
“Visitors might come for the beaches and beauty of Port Fairy, but there is so much more to discover across Moyne,” he said.
“Our visitor services team and volunteers go above and beyond to make sure visitors have everything they need to get the full Moyne Shire experience - this award is a huge credit to the work they do to promote our region.”
