These Bellarine towns need your vote now

Ocean Grove and Portarlington are both in the running to win prestigious state awards, but they need your help to get over the line.

Voting for this year’s Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards opened at 9am today and both coastal Bellarine towns are shortlisted in their respective categories.

Ocean Grove is competing in the Top Tourism Town category for destinations with populations above 5,000. It marks the town’s first appearance in the awards as a finalist.

Portarlington has again been recognised in the Small Tourism Town category for destinations with populations between 1,500 and 5,000. It returns to the awards after claiming bronze in 2025.

The towns were nominated by Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine, which highlighted their beaches, foreshore attractions, fishing and boating opportunities, wildlife experiences, walking trails, restaurants, wineries, festivals, golf courses and thriving community of local growers and makers.

“Your vote will help support the local businesses that make Portarlington and Ocean Grove so wonderful to live in and visit,” Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine spokesperson Jarred Parsons said.

“Recognition through these awards would bring our region into focus and help our coastal communities continue to thrive year-round.”

Run by the Victorian Tourism Industry Council, the awards shine a spotlight on outstanding regional destinations.

Public voting forms part of the judging process, meaning strong community support could help both towns secure gold and progress to the national awards.

Winning a Top Tourism Town Award can significantly raise a destination’s profile, helping attract visitors, strengthen local businesses and showcase the unique experiences on offer.

“Having two of our wonderful towns listed as finalists in these prestigious awards sends a strong message that our region is well and truly on the map as a popular destination for visitors,” City of Greater Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said.

“I encourage everyone to cast their votes to help us bring home gold this year.”

Voting closes at 5pm on 26 June. Votes can be cast by heading to vtic.com.au/toptourismtown and clicking the “vote now” button.