Sydney was crowned Australia’s Favourite City and Margaret River the Best Town in the second annual Australian Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards, held yesterday.
Sydney swooped in taking the crown as Australia’s Favourite City from last year’s winner, Melbourne – by a single vote.
“Judging by the startling number of Sydney award winners (five in total), it’s the city’s buzzing cosmopolitan delights that are clearly appealing to travellers,” said Georgia Rickard, editor of Australian Traveller magazine.
“It’s not just about the picture-perfect beaches and harbour attractions. We are increasingly seeing Sydney’s hatted restaurants push culinary expectations, luxury hotels gain world-wide acclaim, and chic hidden bars popping-up all over the city,” said Rickard.
Queensland was the highest-winning state, taking out a staggering seven awards with New South Wales hotly on its heels with five.
Western Australia also received several awards. Margaret River, Australia’s capital of wine and waves, won Best Town for the second consecutive year. Readers lauded its quality restaurants, wineries, art galleries, farm gates and boutique accommodation, not to mention “awesome surf.” The Kimberley, a destination on most people’s bucket list, took out two gongs: Australia’s Dream Destination and Best Adventure Holiday Destination in Australia.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are the only consumer awards for tourism in Australia. Over 1000 Australian Traveller magazine readers nominated their all-time favourite travel destinations and experiences throughout the country in a survey comprising 22 categories conducted by the magazine over the past four months.
Australian Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards Winners
AUSTRALIA’S FAVOURITE CITYSydney, NSW
FAVOURITE AUSTRALIAN TRAVEL EXPERIENCEA Weekend In
Sydney, NSW
BEST TOWN IN AUSTRALIAMargaret River, WA
BEST RESTAURANT IN AUSTRALIAQuay,
Sydney, NSW
BEST BAR IN AUSTRALIAOpera Bar,
Sydney, NSW
MOST ROMANTIC DESTINATION IN AUSTRALIAWhitsundays, QLD
AUSTRALIA’S DREAM DESTINATIONThe Kimberley, WA
FAVOURITE AUSTRALIAN SUMMER DESTINATIONGold Coast, QLD
AUSTRALIA’S FAVOURITE WINTER DESTINATIONQueensland
BEST RESORT IN AUSTRALIAqualia, Hamilton Island, QLD
BEST LUXURY HOTEL IN AUSTRALIACrown Hotels Melbourne, VIC
BEST ADVENTURE HOLIDAY DESTINATION IN AUSTRALIAThe Kimberley, WA
BEST PUB IN AUSTRALIADaly Waters Pub, NT
BEST GUIDED TOUR IN AUSTRALIABridgeClimb,
Sydney, NSW
BEST CRUISE/YACHTING EXPERIENCE IN AUSTRALIABareboating in the Whitsunday Islands, QLD
BEST TRAIN JOURNEY IN AUSTRALIAThe Ghan
BEST MAJOR AIRLINE IN AUSTRALIAQantas
BEST REGIONAL AIRLINE IN AUSTRALIAQantasLink
BEST AFFORDABLE HOTEL BRAND IN AUSTRALIAIbis
BEST B&B IN AUSTRALIAGlass on Glasshouse, QLD
BEST CARAVAN PARK OR CAMPSITE IN AUSTRALIABIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, QLD
27 Comments
Can't understand why the Gold Coast would come in as a favorite summer holiday place. It is not so bad down around Coolangatta or just over the border in Northern New South Wales but the rest of the so called gold coast is a dump. The Sunshine coast is a much greater and nicer place to live and holiday than the gold coast could ever be.
1 ReplyJust returned from a stink in Europe, Australia wake up,accommodation overpriced by 100%, food more expensive and lesser quality, No wonder our tourism is suffering, and who did these ratings, some upper snob. Who can afford to eat and drink at these places, This article is a joke right.
ReplyOk, so Sydney wins out over everywhere else. I'd like to know how these conclusions are considered? Where is Canberra in this lot? Canberra may not be the most exciting city in Australia, but it is the capital and, Canberra has to be the most livable city there is and is the showcase of many tourist attractions. Give me Canberra over all other cities, although I really like Melbourne, so cosmopolitan.
ReplySydney is a HELL HOLE...will never return there.....yukkk!!!
1 Replyaustralia is an overpriced hole (so you say 'get out'? i am)
Reply