Town up for top tourism award

HEATHCOTE has been named as one of seventeen finalists in the 2024 TAC Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards.

Winners of the awards will be announced at a presentation evening on Thursday 25 July at Cleveland Estate in Lancefield.

“Heathcote won bronze in the TAC Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards in 2022 and silver in 2023 and are hoping for gold this year 2024,” said Heathcote Visitor Centre Coordinator Janet Wicks.

“It would be fabulous for Heathcote and fill our businesses and community with great pride and inspiration.”

The awards are divided into three categories: Top Tourism Towns, Top Small Tourism Towns and Top Tiny Tourism Towns.

Competing against Heathcote for the Top Small Tourism Town award are Daylesford, Koroit, Maldon and Sorrento.

Hosted by the Victoria Tourism Industry Council, the awards showcase the regional towns and centres offering exceptional and unique visitor experiences across Victoria.

VTIC chief executive Felicia Mariani said the awards are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the most captivating destinations the state has to offer.

“The awards showcase the value of tourism to our towns and communities and celebrate the diversity of our regional destinations.

“We are thrilled to have the ongoing support of the TAC in recognising the towns that are going above and beyond to create a great experience for travellers who use our roads to experience all that Victoria offers.”

Ms Wicks said Heathcote welcomes thousands of visitors each year and staff and volunteers at the Visitor Centre know people love visiting Heathcote.

“There’s a huge range of things to do in the one location and our visitors comment that they love the welcoming feel of the town and region.

“Heathcote is in the UNESCO City and Region of Gastronomy and offers some amazing experiences with locally produced wine, food, gin and beer.

“Nature Lovers also love to visit Heathcote. The town is surrounded by National Park and State Forests so offers some great walking and cycling tracks and other nature based experiences such as picnics, history, wildflowers, birdwatching, gold detecting, geology, and lookouts with amazing views.

“Pink Cliffs is unique to Heathcote and is free to visit at any time. Lake Eppalock is always popular for fishing, boating, water skiing and swimming.”

Mary Wallace who has lived in Heathcote for 22 years said she was thrilled the town was a finalist.

“Heathcote has everything for both residents and visitors alike,” she said. “The people are friendly and there are so many things to do.

“We have groups and activities where everyone is welcome, from art, writing and poetry to karaoke and ukelele.

“There are great cafes and restaurants, wineries, breweries, pubs and festivals.

“The art galleries and gift shops offer an excellent range of unique items and we are surrounded by some amazing scenery, including Pink Cliffs and the Valley of Liquid Ambers.

“Then there are all the different sports on offer. It’s a great place to live or visit.

“I really hope we win gold this year.”

The bronze and silver trophies from 2022 and 2023 are displayed in the Visitor Centre and both Ms Wicks and Ms Wallace are hoping they will soon be joined by a gold trophy.