{"id":49502,"date":"2021-02-25T00:28:18","date_gmt":"2021-02-24T13:28:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/?p=49502"},"modified":"2021-02-24T21:33:12","modified_gmt":"2021-02-24T10:33:12","slug":"apollo-bay-aussie-town-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/news\/apollo-bay-aussie-town-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Apollo Bay places third in Aussie Town of the Year list"},"content":{"rendered":"

APOLLO Bay has been rated as the best town in Victoria and the third best in Australia in Wotif\u2019s annual tourism awards.<\/p>\n

Now in its fourth year, the Aussie Town of the Year Awards run by the travel website recognise some of the country\u2019s best destinations for the year ahead, to encourage Australians to hit the road and see more of their own backyard.<\/p>\n

Apollo Bay is rated third, behind only Cairns in Queensland and Polkobin in NSW’s Hunter Valley.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s winning destinations have been awarded based on their accommodation quality, affordability and traveller satisfaction.<\/p>\n

New to this year, the awards also recognise destinations that have met the changing needs of travellers over the past 12 months by offering increased flexibility, good-value deals and appealing activities and attractions.<\/p>\n

Many of the winning towns have also used the past 12 months to renew their offerings and emerge stronger as a result of the ongoing challenges.<\/p>\n

Sally Cannon from the Apollo Bay Bakery said the result was fantastic for the town on the Great Ocean Road, its residents and its businesses.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe obviously love where we live and it\u2019s great the town has been recognised as one of the premier holiday destinations not only in Victoria but also in Australia,\u201d Ms Cannon said.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor people holidaying, there is so much to see and do, and there\u2019s things that don\u2019t take all day – in 10 minutes\u2019 time you can be walking around a beautiful rainforest, there\u2019s waterfalls, there\u2019s the beach and all that has to offer, there\u2019s fishing and surfing, you can go diving for crayfish and abalone.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn terms of tourism things, Apollo Bay is well placed. Within an hour we\u2019ve got the Live Wire Park in Lorne; we\u2019ve got Trees Adventure, which is another 40 minutes inland; we\u2019ve got the Otway Fly Treetop Walk; and now we\u2019ve got Wildlife Wonders \u2013 that\u2019s just opened and has to be seen to be believed, that is a world-class tourism facility.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I haven\u2019t even mentioned the Twelve Apostles!\u201d<\/p>\n

Colac Otway Shire mayor Kate Henson said Apollo Bay was an iconic Great Ocean Road tourist destination.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur local community and anyone who has visited Apollo Bay knows what an amazing place it is, so it is really exciting that Apollo Bay is being recognised in Wotif\u2019s 2021 Aussie Town of the Year Awards,\u201d Cr Henson said.<\/p>\n

Wotif<\/a> managing director Daniel Finch said this year\u2019s awards were more important than ever.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s time to recognise and celebrate the people and communities behind some of Australia\u2019s finest tourism destinations \u2013 who continue to work tirelessly and adapt to new and ongoing restrictions,\u201d Mr Finch said.<\/p>\n

The top 10 Aussie Towns of the Year:<\/p>\n