Double gold and twin bronzes for Bendigo at Victorian Tourism Awards

IT was gold for Greater Bendigo across two fronts at last week’s 2025 Victorian Tourism Awards, with the City taking out the Local Government Award for Tourism and Bendigo Guided Tours finishing at the top of the podium in the New Tourism Business category.

The win marks yet another milestone in the City’s tourism journey, representing its sixth consecutive year as a finalist in the Awards.

During this time, the City has achieved an impressive four gold awards and two silvers.

Bendigo Guided Tours, founded by local entrepreneur Jamie Roberts just this year, celebrates Bendigo’s status as a Region of Gastronomy and its rich cultural past, with every tour designed to “connect people with place.”

Bendigo Heritage also won bronze in the Cultural Tourism category and Silver Spoon Estate won bronze in the Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries category.

Other local finalists included the Bendigo Chamber Music Festival in the Festival & Events category, Fiesta Bendigo in the Tourism Marketing & Campaigns category, and Tasman Holiday Parks Bendigo in the Caravan & Holiday Parks category. Mayor Cr Thomas Prince said the combined results represented a proud moment for the region.

“This success is a testament to the passion, commitment, and collaborative effort of the City, our five Greater Bendigo finalists, and the wider tourism industry,” he said.

“Together, we continue to strengthen Greater Bendigo’s reputation as a leading destination for tourism and marketing.”

Significant out-of-town award winners included the MCG (Major Tourist Attractions) and Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance (Cultural Tourism).