Wotif announces 2022 Aussie Town of The Year Awards as 10.9 million Aussies shape their 2022 holiday-at-home plans

Today, leading travel site Wotif.com has announced the winners of the 2022 Aussie Town of the Year Awards with Launceston taking home the travel crown, marking Tasmania’s inaugural win as travel demand for the island state soars.

The awards, now in their fifth year, are determined by a Wotif data index that looks at accommodation affordability, quality, and traveller satisfaction. Recognising the country’s top destinations for 2022, the awards aim to highlight the best of Australia’s diverse destinations, to encourage Aussies to make the most of the year ahead and explore their own backyard.

The awards come as the tourism industry is hopeful for a travel revival. New Wotif research reveals that 71% of Aussies who plan to travel in Australia, intend on travelling interstate, and almost a third (31%) say even with international travel reopening, they plan to stay within Australia. As state border restrictions ease, it’s clear Aussies are making up for lost time and reclaiming their freedom to travel, with the research confirming over half (53%) of Aussies have not travelled interstate since the start of the pandemic. 

Wotif Managing Director, Daniel Finch, says: “2022 is set to be a pivotal year for domestic tourism. While many Aussies have travelled over the last 24 months, few have had the chance to really explore and travel across state borders. It’s incredibly promising to see that 88% of Aussies planning to travel this year, are looking to stay within Australia, and our hope is that these awards inspire Aussies to try something new and get back to exploring this beautiful country.”

While Tasmania claimed the top spot, there was representation from six states in the top ten. Victoria was the most decorated state, with three destinations making the final list: Yarra Valley, Bright and Halls Gap. Two Queensland destinations, Caloundra and Hervey Bay also made the list, as the state continues its lead in 2022 as the most sought-after Australian state.

Wotif 2022 Aussie Town of the Year Award winners 

1. Launceston, TAS – Arguably Australia’s newest foodie hub, with a UNESCO City of Gastronomy title to prove it. Boasting world class wineries, restaurants and the stunning Cataract Gorge just a short walk from the city centre, travellers will be leaving feeling full and happy. 
Wotif’s accommodation tip: Peppers Silo Hotel  

2. Caloundra, QLD – With a string of excellent beaches on offer, the coastal town of Caloundra is paradise for swimmers and surfers alike. The aquatic activities don’t stop there, with kayaking, paddle boarding and windsurfing also on offer for the perfect summer getaway. 
Wotif’s accommodation tip: Rumba Beach Resort

3. Tamworth, NSW – Australia’s country music capital is also home to one of the country’s most renowned Big Things: the 12-metre high Golden Guitar. With plenty of country charm and hospitality, Tamworth also features an award-winning regional playground and marsupial park, galleries, museums and national parks.
Wotif’s accommodation tip: Mercure Tamworth 

4. Yarra Valley, VIC – Less than an hour from Melbourne, Yarra Valley offers an abundance of character and charm – historic homesteads, cellar doors, craft distilleries, and a century-old steam train through the Dandenong Ranges. 
Wotif’s accommodation tip: Yarra Valley Lodge

5. Adelaide Hills, SA – A convenient 30-minute drive from South Australia’s capital city, Adelaide Hills still feels like a world away with rolling landscapes, renowned wineries and the town of Hanhdorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. 
Wotif’s accommodation tip: Mount Lofty House MGallery

6. Bright, VIC – Nature lovers need look no further than Bright, where life is lived outdoors. From rivers and lakes to mountains and valleys, the area offers walking and hiking for all levels and some of the best cycling in Australia.
Wotif’s accommodation tip: Ovens Valley Motor Inn

7. Hervey Bay, QLD – With swimming, hiking, whale watching, or a trip to K'gari (Fraser Island) on offer, Hervey Bay appeals to so many and is a must visit.
Wotif’s accommodation tip: Mantra Hervey Bay 

8. Halls Gap, VIC – An adventure enthusiast’s paradise in the heart of Grampians National Park, Halls Gap offers abseiling, rock climbing, bush walking and cycling. In addition to some amazing wildlife and native plants, ancient rock art showcases the region’s Indigenous history. 
Wotif’s accommodation tip: Breeze Holiday Parks 

9. Batemans Bay, NSW – Crystal blue waters and a laid-back community make Batemans Bay the perfect place to slow down and connect with nature, all while supporting a deserving region. 
Wotif’s accommodation tip: Batemans Bay Lodge 

10. Busselton, WA – The gateway to the world-famous Margaret River Wine Region, Busselton’s natural beauty, abundance of space, fine wine and fresh coastal air is the, as the locals call it, “remedy to modern life”. 
Wotif’s accommodation tip: Bayview Geographe Resort  

With a quarter of Aussies (24%) planning to visit somewhere new within Australia in 2022, the appetite to domestic exploration is high, and when comparing travelling in Australia to overseas, the chance to get out into nature ranks highest (46%), which is certainly the case for this year’s winning destinations.  

Australia has so much to offer, and for the 45% of Aussies dreaming of their next domestic adventure, the Wotif Aussie Town of the Year Awards serves as a great source of inspiration. 

To read more and see the latest travel deals from this year’s winning destinations, head to www.wotif.com/aussietownoftheyear.