Two Western Australian towns have won National accolades at the Australian Top Tourism Town Awards in Canberra today, with Mandurah named Australia's Top Tourism Town for 2023, and Dwellingup winning Gold in the Tiny Tourism Town category.
Broome's Rosanna Angus was named Australia's Top Tour Guide at the ceremony.
The Top Tourism Town Awards, part of the Australian Tourism Awards series, showcases the value of tourism to towns and communities across Australia, and celebrates the diversity of regional destinations from all over the country. Western Australia's finalist in the Small Tourism Town category was Exmouth.
Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the winners and finalists from WA showcased the strength of the State's nature-based tourism destinations and experiences.
"Dwellingup, nestled among old-growth forests in the Darling Range, offers nature-based and adventure experiences including bushwalking, river activities and mountain bike trails," Mr Hall said.
"Mandurah, known for its waterways and coastline, gives visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature with boating, fishing and wildlife watching, and is home to the outdoor exhibition The Giants by internationally renowned artist Thomas Dambo."
Rosanna Angus from Oolin Sunday Island Cultural Tours, named Australia's Top Tour Guide, was recognised as an innovative leader in the tourism industry.
Rosanna was WA's national finalist after winning the FACET Golden Guide Award earlier this year.
"Rosanna has made a significant contribution to the public's understanding of Aboriginal culture through her guiding, alongside work supporting and inspiring Aboriginal women in her local community," Mr Hall said.
The Australian Top Tourism Town Awards are presented by the Australian Tourism Industry Council and supported by Tourism Australia and Qantas, with finalists in each category having won at a state level through a process involving industry panel judges and a public vote. This is the third year the Top Tourism Town Awards have been run nationally, with the program having a lengthy history in WA.
