Fremantle in Western Australia has been crowned Australia's 'Top Tourism Town' for 2025
The port city of Fremantle in Western Australia has been crowned Australia's 'Top Tourism Town' for 2025, winning gold in the major award category during a ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra.
Bungendore, near Canberra, won gold in the Small Tourism Town category in the Top Tourism Town Awards, with Trentham in Victoria taking out the Tiny Tourism Town section.
With larger cities often taking the spotlight for visitors, the awards aim to celebrate the smaller regions that offer travellers a true taste of Australia's warmth, character, and charm.
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Fremantle in Western Australia has been crowned Australia's 'Top Tourism Town' for 2025. Getty
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.
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The Top Tourism Town award recognises Australian towns with a population over 5000 people.
Fremantle, or "Freo", was called out for its "historic streets, lively festivals, and UNESCO World Heritage sites".
Meanwhile, Devonport on Tasmania's north-west coast was awarded silver, with Kiama in NSW claiming bronze.
The Small Tourism Town awards recognise Australian towns with a population under 5000 but more than 1500 people.
In this category gold went to Bungendore, about 40 minutes from the national capital, Canberra, with the village lauded for blending "country charm with bold artisan flair".
Deloraine, nestled in Tasmania's Meander Valley about 40 minutes from Launceston Airport, received the silver Small Tourism Town award.
Queensland's Airlie Beach won bronze, one of two spots in the Sunshine State highlighted by these awards.
Queensland's Airlie Beach won bronze in the Small Tourism Town category. Getty
The second came in the Tiny Tourism Town awards category, which recognises Australian towns with a population under 1500 people.
The seaside village called Town of 1770 received the bronze award, behind Huskisson, NSW, receiving silver and Trentham in Victoria's central highlands taking out the gold.
NSW was the only state to feature across all three categories.
All 2025 winners
Top Tourism Town (population over 5000):
- GOLD - Fremantle, WA
- SILVER - Devonport, TAS
- BRONZE - Kiama, NSW
Small Tourism Town (population between 1500 and 5000):
- GOLD - Bungendore, NSW
- SILVER - Deloraine, TAS
- BRONZE - Airlie Beach, QLD
Tiny Tourism Town (population under 1500):
- GOLD - Trentham, VIC
- SILVER - Huskisson, NSW
- BRONZE - Town of 1770, QLD
