The October long weekend is just around the corner and a newly crowned Best Tiny Tourism Town on NSW’s south coast is your new excuse to fill the boot and head on a road trip.

A 2.5-hour drive from Sydney, Huskisson is located on the shores of Jervis Bay and is known for its white sand beaches, primo snorkelling spots, waterside pubs and tranquil retreats hidden among eucalyptus and paperbarks – and it has just taken out the top spot in its category in the just-announced Australia’s Top Tourism Town Awards.

The towns were shortlisted in each state and territory in May and have presumably been on tenterhooks for the last few months – making sure the flat whites are perfectly steamed, checking the local restaurants are stocked with the finest bubbles and keeping tabs on those barrelling waves.

Each state’s towns were categorised as Tiny Towns (populations below 1,500), Small Towns (populations between 1,500 and 5,000) and Top Towns (populations over 5,000). Winners were determined by the public who cast their votes for their favourite holiday spots and hidden gems.

Category winners were then judged nationwide, with overall winners claiming their prizes. Without further ado… these are Australia’s Top Tourism Town Award winners.

Related story: NSW’s Tourism Town of the Year for 2024 has been revealed

TOP TOURISM TOWN WINNERS
Gold – Devonport, TAS
Silver – Bendigo, VIC
Bronze – Roma, QLD

SMALL TOURISM TOWN WINNERS
Gold – Exmouth, WA
Silver – Daylesford, VIC
Bronze – Richmond, TAS

TINY TOURISM TOWN WINNERS
Gold – Huskisson, NSW
Silver – Stanley, TAS
Bronze – Gundaroo, ACT

TOP TOUR GUIDE WINNERS
Gold – Adam Hinks – Aquascene Magnetic Island
Silver – Graeme Dearle – Pemberton Discovery Tours

The full list of state winners and finalists can be found on the Top Tourism Town website here.

Related story: Why Daylesford’s Lake House is still one of Australia’s best-ever destination restaurants