Stanthorpe in Queensland crowned Australia’s ‘Top Tourism Town’ for 2026
The rural town of Stanthorpe in Queensland has been named Australia’s Top Tourism Town for 2026, winning gold in the major category during a ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra.
Queensland dominated the awards with coastal favourite Airlie Beach taking out gold in the Top Small Tourism Town category as well.
Stanthorpe in Queensland has been named Australia’s Top Tourism Town. Granite Belt Wine Country
Another coastal suburb, Portsea in Victoria, about 60 kilometres south-west of Melbourne, won gold in the Top Tiny Tourism Town category.
The Australian Top Tourism Town Awards recognise places that offer amazing visitor experiences and aim to celebrate the smaller regions that offer travellers a taste of Australia’s warmth, character, and charm.
Towns around the country are judged within categories based on population, alongside their attractions, amenities, accommodation, and the ability to welcome and host visitors "with ease and heart".
Winners across each state were recognised throughout the year before the overall winners were chosen.
The Top Tourism Town award recognises Australian towns with a population over 5000 people.
Stanthorpe sits roughly 800 metres above sea level in the Granite Belt region and goes against the usual Queensland stereotype, was called out for its overall visitor offering, local identity and community commitment.
“Stanthorpe has earned its place as Australia’s Top Tourism Town for 2026, bringing together outstanding visitor experiences with a strong sense of local character and a community that understands what it takes to create an exceptional visitor experience,” CEO of Australian Tourism Industry Council, which runs the awards, Erin McLeod said.
Airlie Beach won gold in the Top Small Tourism Town category. iStock
Meanwhile, Kiama achieved the Top Tourism Town silver medal, climbing one spot from bronze in 2025. Echuca in Victoria won the bronze award.
The Small Tourism Town awards recognise Australian towns with a population under 5000 but more than 1500 people.
A gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Airlie Beach has long been a favourite winning bronze in the same category in 2025.
Gulgong in the NSW Mudgee region won silver in the Small Town category, while Portarlington, on the Bellarine Peninsula about 30 kilometres from Geelong in Victoria, claimed the bronze.
Gulgong was the top town in NSW and won silver in the overall Small Town category. Getty
The Tiny Tourism Town awards category, which recognises Australian towns with a population under 1500 people, featured yet another Queensland destination.
While Portsea won gold in the category, the rural town of Toogoolawah in the Somerset Region of the sunshine state won silver. Port Arthur in Tasmania was awarded the bronze.
The awards also recognise exceptional tour guides, with Laura Stone from Sydney by Kayak, NSW named Australia’s Top Tour Guide for 2026.
Top Tourism Town (population over 5,000)
- GOLD – Stanthorpe, QLD
- SILVER – Kiama, NSW
- BRONZE – Echuca, VIC
Small Tourism Town (population between 1,500 and 5,000)
- GOLD – Airlie Beach, QLD
- SILVER – Gulgong, NSW
- BRONZE – Portarlington, VIC
Tiny Tourism Town (population under 1,500)
- GOLD – Portsea, VIC
- SILVER – Toogoolawah, QLD
- BRONZE – Port Arthur, TAS
